The Meters Albums (13)
'Fiyo at the Fillmore, Vol. 1'
Release Date 2/25/2003
Tracks 11
Label Varese
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Uptown Rulers: The Meters Live on the Queen Mary'
Release Date 8/4/1992
Tracks 11
Label Rhino
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A wonderful live concert from 1975, it showcases the powers of these New Orleans R&B legends. ~ All Music Guide, All Music Guide
'Here Come the Metermen'
Release Date 1/1/1986
Tracks 16
Label Charly
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The title of the Meters' final album is hopeful, and New Directions does indeed represent if not a new direction, at least a shift from the disco dead end of Trick Bag. From the second "No More Okey Doke" kicks off the record, it's clear that the Meters are gritty again, kicking out some really funky grooves -- maybe not as dirty as their Josie recordings, maybe a little cleaned up, but still pretty funky. The slower numbers betray their era, but in a pleasing way, something that's also true of generic numbers like "My Name Up in Lights," which may have too much talk-box guitar, but still grooves effectively. That may not be a new direction, per se, but it is a welcome change-up after the dud Trick Bag. It wasn't enough to save the Meters and it's not really a lost treasure, but it's a far more dignified way to bow out. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Meters' third album for Reprise, Fire on the Bayou, is their best record for the label for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the high quality of material throughout the record and a focus from the band that keeps the music simmering, even if it never quite reaches a boil. That's not a bad thing, because the music IS simmering, always hot and enticing, never lukewarm or too cool. There's not anything that comes out and grabs your throat, the way that "Hey Pocky Way" does, but there never seems to be a concession to mainstream funk, the way Cabbage Alley or Rejuvenation seemed to be. This just keeps things rolling, nice and smooth. There's not anything that separates itself from its partners -- something that's unfortunately true of all of the Reprise albums -- but the overall feel is better than the Meters' other Reprise albums, since it has more grit and presence than its compatriots. [Sundazed's 2000 reissue contains one bonus track, a "long version" of "Running Fast."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
