Big Audio Dynamite Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
For his first album for Radioactive, Mick Jones changed the name of his group back to Big Audio Dynamite and delivered F-Punk. While the name was a retreat back to the BAD's most creative and exciting days of the '80s, the music on F-Punk simply reiterated all of the ideas of their last few albums -- which means that it restated the same themes as all of their previous records. Far from being "punk," with all its classic rock references and allusions to the glory days of 1977, the album sounds tied to the past. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Nine years and six albums on, Big Audio's formula of Mick Jones-penned pop tunes, hip-hop beats, and odd found sounds was beginning to sound worn. As indicated on such tracks as "Looking For A Song" and "Harrow Road," carrying on seemed to have become something of a burden for Jones, who increasingly turned to '60s-derived guitar riffs and simple pop melodies. The rhythm section remained too far down in the mix to induce dancing, and the tape inserts--well, Jones was still no Pink Floyd. Obviously, by whatever name they chose, Big Audio needed to rethink their approach. The release of Higher Power, late in the fall buying season and without promotion, seemed to indicate that, despite the success of the band's previous album, The Globe, it was no longer in sync with its record company and that, perhaps, this was a contractual obligation album. In any case, it was the group's first album to miss the charts. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Globe marked the beginning of the second chapter in Mick Jones' Big Audio Dynamite venture and their biggest commercial success in the U.S. With Jones the only member remaining onboard, The Globe is the sound of a reinvigorated BAD, with the engaging "Rush" becoming a surprise Top 40 hit. There are plenty more worthy tracks, including the buoyant "Can't Wait/Live," the title song (which also charted), and the poignant "Innocent Child," which makes good use of a sample from Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight." The songwriting is some of Jones' strongest in some time, and The Globe was possibly the strongest effort of Big Audio Dynamite (in any incarnation) and certainly their best work since their debut. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On Megatop Phoenix, Jones delves even further into a dance-influenced, cut-and-paste approach to pop music that manages to capture all of the inventiveness of late-'80s dance music without losing sight of the melodies that have always been his strength. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Mick Jones tightens the rather free-form structures of the previous B.A.D. albums on Tighten Up, Vol. '88. While he was aiming for a greater commercial success, the result was only partially successful; the best tracks didn't work as singles, and the singles didn't have the creative spark that marks the best of B.A.D.'s music. "Just Play Music!" made the U.K. singles chart.~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Temporarily reuniting with his former Clash partner Joe Strummer (who co-produced this album and co-wrote five songs), Mick Jones expands on the formula of the debut with Big Audio Dynamite's second album. No. 10 Upping Street features better songs that meld samples, found sounds, dance rhythms, and elements of hip-hop more completely and effectively than those on the first record. "C'mon Every Beatbox" and "V. Thirteen" made the U.K. singles chart. "Badrock City," added to the album after its initial release, made the U.S. R&B singles chart. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine and William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
'This Is Big Audio Dynamite'
Release Date 1/1/1985
Tracks 8
Label Columbia
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Since Mick Jones was the more melodic, pop force in the Clash, it was a surprise that the band he formed after being kicked out of that group was such an unusual mix of synthesized drumming and spoken-word tape inserts, although beneath all the gimmicky sounds (and perhaps accentuated by them) were Jones's often winning songs, among which were the U.K. Top 40 hits "E=MC2" and "Medicine Show." ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
