Guano Apes Album: “Proud Like a God”

I don't even remember how I heard about this band at first...probably just from randomly seeing them on a shelf at a cd store. I came on here and took a listen to the 30 second samples, and I knew I had to buy it. This band puts out so much energy in their heavier tracks, and then pours out their emotion on the softer tracks, putting together one of the better albums I've heard in a while. The song "Open Your Eyes" is a great way to kick off the album, blasting their metal edge away right from the start. Then a couple songs into the cd, they mellow out and create my personal favorite song and their most emotional tune on the album, "Rain". Then with the very next tune, their back laying their s**t down with "Lords of the Boards". My favorite tracks include their beautiful "Rain", their Primus-like "We Use the Pain", "Open Your Eyes", and their laid-back "Get Busy". This band definitely knows how to write great tunes of varying styles. Definitely worth a shot, so check it out.

I'm Italian, and I saw their concert in Milan on 9 - 10 - 1999, because I was curios about this strange band. I wanted to know their music better, because I only knew their hit "open your eyes", and decide later to buy this record or not. I was so enthusiastic about their music that I bought their album and the cd-single too. I can't describe their music, but I try to do it. It's a mix of punk-rock, techno, hip-hop but with 140 bps. And I love it. Sandra has an incredible voice, and is also the writer of the words of the songs. The best song of the album are: Open your eyes, Lords of the boards (very punk), Wash it down (quite techno for the drums) and Maria ( a very beautyful slow song). All this in two words? OK! BUY IT!

Though the Guano Apes try a variety of musical styles on "Proud Like A God," the loud heavy metal songs like "Open Your Eyes," "Was Is Down" and "Lord Of The Boards" are the best. Sandra Nasic has a great screaming voice, the band's main asset. "Lord Of The Board" is by far the best song. I like the way the song is structured into three distinct parts: opening with Russian tea room mandolin, then a hip hop beat as she explains her love for snow boarding then slamming into the hardest metal as she shouts at the top of her lungs that she is, indeed, the Lord of the Boards. More people should have such passion.

My boyfriend actually turned me on to this band, which is an oddity in itself becuase if it doesn't have perpetual double bass and thrashing guitars he's literally deaf to anything else. I, on the other hand, and a total sucker for any band with a female vocalist, which is why i'm so incredibly obsessed with feminist punk rock and such, but after he played this cd, i couldn't get enough of it. i still have his copy of this cd in my car and it still has not left my cd player. Hands down the best song is "Rain" i know most people like "Open you Eyes" the best, probably becuase it was the first song they ever heard by Guano Apes, but i instantly fell in love with "Rain" the first second i heard it. i actually wish more songs on this CD were in this fashion!

The only reason i didn't give this CD a 5 was because of the occasional over-abbundance of the whole "rock/rap" thing which is just plain annoying to me. even at its peak of popularity thanks in part to Limp Bzikit, Kork, 311, (hed) PE and the likes, rock/rap was not my cup of tea and still isn't now. this girl has an amazing voice and her "rapping" or whatever it is, is just unecesary. USE YOUR PIPES! aside from this minor flaw (and hey, we all have 'em) this Cd is definitely a keeper.

I have a method to buying CD's, if i don't think i'll listen to it 10 years from now, its not worth my money. this has always been a good method for me, and has always held true for me. all the CD's i bought 10+ years ago are still on heavy rotation in my mix, and this, is surely one of them.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why don't the radio stations play this music? I was visiting a friend in Seattle and he introduced me to Guano Apes's music. The first song I heard was "Lords of the Boards". Totally incredible transitions during the song! Incredible music. "Crossing the Deadline"... another amazing song. Great lyrics. "We use the Pain"... great use of effects. Lead vocals are that of a syren. She really puts it to me. Overall this band is under rated by the radio stations and I would have never heard of them unless someone told me about them. Please Please keep making music. Rock on!