The Dickies

The Dickies are one of those bands that kind of resist analysis, let alone criticism. A reviewer can point out that they barely know how to play their instruments, and the only proper response would be, "So what?" A reviewer can point out that their version of "Sounds of Silence" is without doubt the worst ever recorded, and the only proper response would be, "Yeah, but their version of 'Paranoid' is the best ever." Then there's "You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)," the band's signature tune and a genuinely perfect little post-punk ditty, and their version of "Nights in White Satin," saints preserve us. It all adds up to some kind of perfect album, strangely enough. The CD reissue preserves the wretched sound quality of the original cassette (which came out in 1986 under the title We Aren't the World), and even that fact is perfect in some weird, alternative-universe kind of way. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide