Bow Down to the Exit Sign

Bow Down to the Exit Sign

Track Listings

1. Live From The Peppermint Store

2. Compared To What

3. Sick City

4. Drexler's Apt-Aftermath, Afternoon

5. Bad Thing

6. Voices, Siren, Rain

7. Incite A Riot

8. 69 Police

9. Outrun

10. Living Room

11. Happiness

12. Slip Your Skin

13. Zero Tolerance

14. Commercial Break

15. Hey Lisa

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
David Holmes has always been pretty eclectic in his musical outlook. Starting life as a Northern Irish punk, his lengthy musical journey has seen the release of nosebleed techno, off-kilter breaks, and dubbed-out hip-hop. Famously, he's also written the soundtrack to a major Hollywood blockbuster. With his third studio album, another soundtrack, he's decided to change tack again, charging off in a darker, dirtier direction. Holmes does his best to distort and disturb, fusing fuzzy funk, low-slung blues, and organ-drenched psychedelia. There are a couple of twisted punk rock numbers featuring Jon Spencer and Bobby Gillespie as well as a piece written with Bond composer David Arnold. As if that weren't enough to set the pulse racing, Tricky's former vocal foil, Martina, sings a couple of tracks, and beat poet Carl Hancock Rux adds harrowing narration to Holmes's intense hallucinogenic vision. Bow down to the Exit Sign may be dark and disturbed, but it's also a very compelling listen. --Amazon.co.uk

Product Description
Third album from superstar DJ, his follow up to the 1997 release 'Let's Get Killed'. Recorded in New York with Keith Tenniswood (Two Lone Swordsmen), Jagz (Sabres Of Paradise) andfilm music legend David Arnold. Includes guest vocalists Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion), Martina (Tricky) and Carl Hancock Rux (New Tork poet and ;lyricist. 2000 release.

Tracks:

Live From The Peppermint Store
Compared To What
Sick City
Drexler's Apt - Aftermath, Afternoon
Bad Thing
Voices, Siren, Rain
Incite A Riot
69 Police
Outrun
Living Room
Happiness
Slip Your Skin
Zero Tolerance
Commercial Break
Hey Lisa

Amazon.com

Although David Holmes's Bow Down to the Exit Sign is intended to be the soundtrack of an as-yet-to-be-made film, the closest stylistic cousin in the Holmes canon is not the work he did for the film Out of Sight, nor is it his sweepingly cinematic debut or the New York City-on-acid travelogue that was his big commercial breakthrough. The most seemingly obvious predecessor is actually the U.K. release Essential Mix 98/01. The spirit of Holmes's super-eclectic DJ work (a world in which Brigitte Bardot, Plaid, Rare Earth, and Skylab all happily cohabitate) is here again on his latest outing, along with the additional element of more than a few outstanding vocal performances. Bobby Gillespie lends his hip sneer to the punky-fuzzy "Sick City" and "Slip Your Skin." Jon Spencer unleashes his afflicted-soul howl over the furiously fuming organ of "Bad Things." Tricky cohort Martina Topley-Bird is radiant amid the claustrophobic pulse of "Outrun," and Carl Hancock-Rux is nothing less than rock god-legendary, especially on the stunningly funky "Living Room." Holmes of course offers up a few instrumental treats as well, most notably "Hey Lisa," which is quietly pretty, and "69 Police," which immediately catapults itself into the realm of bouncy-fun classics such as Primal Scream's Loaded. --Bob Michaels

Customer Reviews:

David Holmes at his best.......2005-12-25

First off, I cannot believe the negative reviews this album is getting. It seems that people are expecting it to be something completely different, and when its not what they expected, they dismiss it. It's as if they gave it a spin in their car, didn't hear anything as catchy as "My Mate Paul" or "Gritty Shaker", and then tossed it. I'm not sure how that can be as this album is very hard to come by and I would think the people that are purchasing would invest a little more time into it.

In all fairness though, if you're only exposure to David Holmes is his work on soundtracks, and you were expecting something similar, then yes, I can see how this album would be a bit of a disappointment. I'll admit, I didn't think it was as good as some of Holmes' other albums(Lets Get killed, Come Get it I Got it) the first time I listened to it. It was much more cold, harsh, and uneasy. However, like with any great album, the more I listened to it, the more and more I started to like it, and understand that the album as a WHOLE is what makes it special.

From the opening jingle of "Live From The Peppermint Store", the album has a very strange alluring quality, and as soon as "Compared To What" (with one of the hardest hitting basslines I've encountered) kicks into high gear, I can't imagine how someone couldn't be mesmerized by the signature head-bopping strut of David Holmes' music. The rest of the album unfolds in almost theatrical fashion, with certain tracks providing neratives that give the album a very haunting feel ("Drexler's Apt - Aftermath, Afternoon) before giving way to the next oh-so-sweet Holmes drum fill, the tracks blending together seamlessly, each one providing further evidence that Holmes is a master at crafting cinematic tunes that freaking GROOVE.

The album showcases numerous musical styles, from old R&B & soul to punk, pop, rock, and blues with David Holmes blending them all together perfectly to make for a very unique and truly captivating musical experience. A few of my favorite tracks are "Compared to What", "Incite a Riot", "Living Room", and "Slip Your skin", but really, this album is absolutely stellar from start to finish, and should be experienced that way (be sure to read the liner notes as well).

This is definately David Holmes' most eclectic and ambitious release, and in my opinion his best and most rewarding. It's a shame that it is so hard to come by. If you're a fan of great music that goes beyond being pegged to a certain genre, then you will love "Bow Down to the Exit Sign".

One Good Song.......2005-09-26

In my opinion the only worth while song on here is 69 Police. Atleast the album is only $4

scramble to your feet.......2003-11-17

well, i'm not much for analyzing music either, just for enjoying or being moved by it as much as you, and normally i couldn't care less about writing a review, but had to, just to rectify this horrendous misrepresentation: this album rocks! i admit it starts somehow mannered, matter of fact, omit the first three tracks, the Les McCann cover 'Compared to what', check the bone-chillin Roberta Flack version instead, Bobby Gillespie on 'Sick city', and the lamentable Jon Spencer affectation 'Bad thing'. doesn't sound this album deserves the four stars, does it? but then suddenly all changes.
once 'voices, siren, rain' kicks in, this album 'starts fighting back, striking back, kicking ass!' 'Incite a riot', '69 police' and 'Living room' (with Hancock-Rux) are one jammin' psychedalic funkfest. Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie's second outing 'Slip your skin' also rocks, but despite the big names on the guest list, as far as the vocals go, Martina (Tricky's muse, or vice versa) really steals the show on the brooding 'Outrun' and the tight 'Zero tolerance'.
trax 6 to 15 are forty minutes of pure punk payback.

Heynoose.......2002-05-07

Yuck. I'm not one for analyzing music, just for enjoying it or being moved by it. This album frustrates on both counts. Junk.

"Bow Down" is right.......2001-09-21

Oh, good Lord, I love this album. I can see why some people might find it repetitive or directionless, but I'm convinced that these people aren't allowing themselves to be engulfed by this cd. It's an absolutely visceral experience when heard from beginning to end. Maybe I'm exaggerating by giving it 5 stars, but it's only because I rarely get drawn into albums this much, and I don't think there are many DJs out there who push themselves as much as Holmes. And though I still contend this album should be heard straight through from beginning to end, "Bad Thing", "69 Police" and "Living Room" have got to be the best tracks on here. It's really wonderful, and I think the fact that it can't be classified in a specific genre is a testament to Holmes' daring and appreciation of all kinds of music. He's the kind of person who SHOULD be making albums.

Average customer rating:

Holmes & Rux
The Dark World Of David Holmes!
The Best Retro-Progressive Funk/Punk/Soul CD...Ever!
Bow Down To David Holmes
Logical Progression

Bow Down to the Exit Sign
David Holmes
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Big Beat | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004TT0B
Release Date: 2000-06-12

Tracks:

Live from the Peppermint Store
Compared to What - David Holmes, Carl Hancock Rux
Sick City - Bobby Gillespie, David Holmes
Drexler's Apt. - Aftermath, Afternoon
Bad Thing - David Holmes, Jon Spencer, Martina Topley-Bird
Voices, Siren, Rain
Incite a Riot
69 Police
Outrun - David Holmes, Martina Topley-Bird
Living Room - David Holmes, Carl Hancock Rux
Happiness
Slip Your Skin - Bobby Gillespie, David Holmes
Zero Tolerance - David Holmes, Martina Topley-Bird
Commercial Break
Hey Lisa
Jackson Johnson

Amazon.com

David Holmes has always been pretty eclectic in his musical outlook. Starting life as a Northern Irish punk, his lengthy musical journey has seen the release of nosebleed techno, off-kilter breaks, and dubbed-out hip-hop. Famously, he's also written the soundtrack to a major Hollywood blockbuster. With his third studio album, another soundtrack, he's decided to change tack again, charging off in a darker, dirtier direction. Holmes does his best to distort and disturb, fusing fuzzy funk, low-slung blues, and organ-drenched psychedelia. There are a couple of twisted punk rock numbers featuring Jon Spencer and Bobby Gillespie as well as a piece written with Bond composer David Arnold. As if that weren't enough to set the pulse racing, Tricky's former vocal foil, Martina, sings a couple of tracks, and beat poet Carl Hancock Rux adds harrowing narration to Holmes's intense hallucinogenic vision. Bow down to the Exit Sign may be dark and disturbed, but it's also a very compelling listen. --Amazon.co.uk

Album Description

Out-of-print in the US. Third album from superstar DJ, his follow up to the 1997 release 'Let's Get Killed'. Recorded in New York with Keith Tenniswood (Two Lone Swordsmen), Jagz (Sabres Of Paradise) andfilm music legend David Arnold. Includes guest vocalists Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion), Martina (Tricky) and Carl Hancock Rux (New Tork poet and ;lyricist. Universal.

Album Details

Limited Digipak. Recorded in Ny with Cohorts Keith Tenniswood, Jagz and Film Legend David Arnold. Also features Guest Vocalists Bobby Gillespie, Jon Spencer and Others.

Customer Reviews:

Holmes & Rux.......2000-09-09

I have to be honest, I thought ;"Let's Get Killed" was a little weird, a little too all over the place for my tastes-- but there was still some kind of undeniable genius I sensed about Holmes and so I was intrigued to hear this new CD. Bow Down To The Exit Sign is awesome!Starting with Carl hancock Rux on "Compared To What" and "The Living Room". I have Rux's album, "Rux Revue" and even though it's on a major label, it sounds liek one of the best damned indie records you've ever heard. No formulaic stuff. You can tell from Rux's CD that he and Holmes are suited for eachother, they both push envelopes and still come up with great music. This guy's voice is so perfect for the music Holmes has created. It's dark, but not self concioulsy dark. It's melodic, and expressive. I think Rux and Holmes should do a whole album together! I also love Martina Topley Bird's tracks-- always thought she was an extrordinary singer, and I love these tracks but they still remind me of stuff she'd done before with Tricky and I wish Holmes could have pulled her out of her element a little more. "Bad Thing" is groovy and dark as hell. 'For Lisa' was Ok, and 69 Police didn't impress me much-- but I'm telling you, the Holmes/Rux collaboration makes up for whatever's missing on this CD.

The Dark World Of David Holmes!.......2000-09-05

After showing great promise on his previous release-'Let's Get Killed',David Holmes returns with a dark C.D.,which has more thrills than the scariest of roller-coaster rides. David Holmes is probably the most innovative of artists in Ireland right now.This c.d. has so many influences and uses so many different musical styles,that it is easy to see why so many prominent celebrities in the world of music right now want to collaberate with the Belfast man. First of all this c.d. is not for the feint hearted or for people who want catchy tunes and a nice easy listen.It's very dark,aggressive but always exhillerating.The more I listen to this c.d. the more I notice new sounds,influences and reworkings of some more famous tunes. The very brief opening track is a gentle fifties sounding commercial-and it does not give you any guide as to what's to come.Enter track 2 with guest vocals from Carl Hancock Rux-who to me sounds a bit like a very modern Bowie.It's a brilliant track driven by an amazing bassline.Then Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie (sounding better than I've heard him in a long time) on a ninety m.p.h. modern punk track.He appears on the c.d. twice,as does Martina Topley(who oft collaberated with Tricky)on 2 of the best tracks she's done in years. Musical styles are in abundance here-punk,hard rock,hip hop,rap,ambience and not forgetting Jon Spencer's song 'Bad Thing' for a stupendous touch of the blues.Easily as good as Death In Vegas'-'Contina Sessions'-I actually think this c.d. though very similar in style and mood ,actually surpasses that effort. Definitely recommended for all modern music lovers!

The Best Retro-Progressive Funk/Punk/Soul CD...Ever!.......2000-07-26

And if that doesn't make sense, then you probably won't understand this cd on the first listen. And it's not techno. It's too 'organic' for that, but still mixes in samples here in there really sly. It's not techno because it's not some euro dj spinning drum and bass heavy tracks and coming out some retard of an 80's hip hop dj. It goes beyond techno, by going back into alot of forms of dance and mood music, and mixing them together.

And it's cinematic. Really really cinematic. From the first track and it's mix of commercial jingle and movie dialogue really takes it off. But the following tracks are really what makes it interesting.

Starting with the second track, a remake of 'Compared to What' featuring Carl Hancock Rux, Holmes and Rux mix together soul, hip hop, 90's R&B, and rapped spoken word poetry. It's about three decades of black music warped into a 4 minute track. The follow-up 'Sick City' with Bobby Gillespie on vocals sounds like some sort of manic acid-rap/rock track re-treading thru sounds like Iggy Pop, The Stooges, and Sly Stone. Martina Toppley-Bird's tracks also blend together mixes of soul, gospel, punk, and drum n' bass highlighted on her track 'Zero Tolerance'. All of the previous 3 mentioned artists guests on other songs, with Rux turning in a track that sounds like a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of 'I Am the Walrus' remixed by DJ Premier on 'The Living Room' and Bobby and Martina showing up on the mbient/trance/punk track 'Slip Your Skin'. The only real misstep on the album is 'Bad Thing' by Jon Spencer. Granted it's not a horrible song, or even a bad one. It is just so demented, hook-laiden, and dark, that an entire album composed of similar tracks would have been better. "Bow Down.." is seedy, but not dark and evil as that track.

The instrumentals that Holmes and his backing band (something that only the Lo-Fi All-Stars have mastered in electronica) compose are also worth the cd. Those highlights are easily '69 Police' (which could corssover to all types of fans of music with its strong melody and psychedlic mix of styles) and the obviously cinematic 'Hey Lisa' which closes the album and boasts a string section composed and conducted by David Arnold. Overall the album is highly recommended.

The styles of music that the cd mixes together, while focusing on black and cinematic sounds and grooves, should attract the interest of many people. If you like hip hop (#2), punk (#3), trip hop (#8), blues & psychedlica (#5), alternative-dance (#9) or film scores (#15) this cd is for you.

Bow Down To David Holmes.......2000-06-30

David Holmes' most commercial release yet is probably his darkest and most original, and the better it is for it. It features contributions from both Bobby Gillespie and Jon Spencer and they both turn in excellent performances. All in all this is a fantstic album very much in the same mould as Death In Vegas' "Contino Sessions", but in my opinion far surpases the standerds DIV have set.

Logical Progression.......2000-06-30

Upon first hearing this album....I was a bit surprised....I think I might have been expecting Let's Get Killed version 2....but I was very wrong. This album is much different simply because it is layered with beautiful voices, sultry funk.....and genius instrumentation. Do you have soul? If not, borrow some from David Holmes....don't look any further than "Bow Down To The Exit Sign". There are also many notable contributors to this amazing album, mostly from the English music scene (Primal Scream, etc.) Sit back, relax and enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Holmes & Rux
The Dark World Of David Holmes!
The Best Retro-Progressive Funk/Punk/Soul CD...Ever!
Bow Down To David Holmes
Logical Progression

Bow Down to the Exit Sign
David Holmes
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Big Beat | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004TLVX
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

Live from the Peppermint Store
Compared to What - David Holmes, Carl Hancock Rux
Sick City - Bobby Gillespie, David Holmes
Drexler's Apt. - Aftermath, Afternoon
Bad Thing - David Holmes, Jon Spencer, Martina Topley-Bird
Voices, Siren, Rain
Incite a Riot
69 Police
Outrun - David Holmes, Martina Topley-Bird
Living Room - David Holmes, Carl Hancock Rux
Happiness
Slip Your Skin - Bobby Gillespie, David Holmes
Zero Tolerance - David Holmes, Martina Topley-Bird
Commercial Break
Hey Lisa
Jackson Johnson

Amazon.com

Album Description

Third album from superstar DJ, his follow up to the 1997 release 'Let's Get Killed'. Recorded in New York with Keith Tenniswood (Two Lone Swordsmen), Jagz (Sabres Of Paradise) andfilm music legend David Arnold. Includes guest vocalists Bobby Gillespie (Pr

Album Details

Limited Digipak. Recorded in Ny with Cohorts Keith Tenniswood, Jagz and Film Legend David Arnold. Also features Guest Vocalists Bobby Gillespie, Jon Spencer and Others.

Customer Reviews:

Holmes & Rux.......2000-09-09

The Dark World Of David Holmes!.......2000-09-05

The Best Retro-Progressive Funk/Punk/Soul CD...Ever!.......2000-07-26

Bow Down To David Holmes.......2000-06-30

Logical Progression.......2000-06-30