So why is Cheepskates’ Run Better Run on this best 1,000 albums ever thing?
Run Better Run is an incredible album that most people have never heard of.
But before we get to why it’s incredible, it’s important to note that this brilliant collection sounds like it was unearthed from a time capsule buried in the SoCal surf in 1966, but was actually recorded by a New York City band in 1984. Knowing this lends an additional magical quality to Run Better Run.
The Cheepskates have a retro surf rock-meets-British Invasion/Zombies-ish vibe, and then heavy use of a Farfisa organ gives the proceedings a carnivalesque sound I can never get enough of. The title track, “Run Better Run,” kicks off the album and forms a solid litmus test as to whether you’re a Cheepskates kind of cat.
I should also note that Run Better Run is packed full of tight and expertly constructed pop smashers that feel perfectly crafted to hit AM radio alongside The Byrds, The Beach Boys, The Doors, the aforementioned Zombies and, of course, The Beatles.
The first eight tracks are a murderer’s row that, if nothing else, proves how much luck is involved in the music industry – and the arts in general – in terms of what becomes massively popular versus what deeply deserves more recognition and acclaim.
“Shadows of Loneliness” has a killer organ hook and a propulsive tempo that demands repeat listens.
And I can imagine “Big Bad World” playing to cavernous arenas, the crowd singing along to there ain’t no way out.
I’d deem an even dozen of Run Better Run’s 16 tracks as outstanding or better. That said, I’ll call out one single song, “Drive In Movie,” as… let’s say not good. In a weird way, it’s illustrative of how good the Cheepskates formula is throughout the rest of the album. But this one dovetails into cheesy nostalgia land and is the one I’d advise skipping on Run Better Run.
“Take It Easy” is a wonderful crooning number that again touches on influences ranging from The Byrds to The Kinks.
And “I’d Give All I Got” is pure harmony and pop bliss.
Some stats & info about Cheepskates – Run Better Run
- What kind of musical stylings does this album represent? Garage Rock Revival, Garage Rock, Rock Music, New York Bands, Power Pop, Pop Music
- Rolling Stone’s greatest 500 albums ranking – not ranked!
- All Music’s rating – not rated!
- When was Run Better Run released? 1984
- My ranking, the one you’re reading right now – #66 out of 1,000
Cheepskates’ Run Better Run on Spotify
A lyrical snippet from Cheepskates’ Run Better Run that’s evocative of the album in some way, maybe
You’re not around but you’re plain to see – I hear you’re voice and you’re telling me.
What does the “best 1,000 albums ever” mean and why are you doing this?
Yeah, I know it’s audacious, a little crazy (okay, maybe a lot cray cray), bordering on criminal nerdery.
But here’s what it’s NOT: a definitive list of the Greatest Albums of All-Time. This is 100% my own personal super biased, incredibly subjective review of what my top 1,000 albums are, ranked in painstaking order over the course of doing research for nearly a year, Rob from High Fidelity style. Find out more about why I embarked on a best 1,000 albums ever project.