Hindu Love Gods

I am glad this album is finally available digitally. I've worn out the cassette. This is Warren Zevon with members of REM with, apparently, some free time on their hands and just happened to be in the same area at the same time. How else could a roots rock album like this come together? Warren sings and plays guitar. There is no piano on this album. Thier version of Raspberry Beret knocks the socks of The Artist Now Known As Prince. It rocks and doesn't stop. Don't expect any ethereal lead guitar. This is bare bones rock and Americana. It sounds as if they ran through the songs a time or two and then recorded. I like that. Raw. Almost.

A rollicking collection of cover songs from the mid-80s, Hindu Love Gods is a must have for fans of either Zevon or R.E.M. The highlight is clearly their alt-rock cover of "Raspberry Beret," but the rest of the collection is also highly listenable. Zevon's bluesy growl hasn't been this good since the days of "Werewolves" and Mills, Berry and Buck respond with some of their crunchiest riffs since their days in Athens, GA. In fact, the most disappointing part of the CD is that they never played again.

FYI, y'all: Warren Zevon's 1987 album release, Sentimental Hygiene, features mostly the Hindu Love Gods cast of characters, only doing Zevon songs. Other guests on that album are Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Don Henley. Different vibe but very rewarding, esp. for Zevon & REM fans.

A long-time R.E.M. fan, I was turned on to Warren Zevon a few years ago and really love his way with biting lyrics and gorgeous melodies. Imagine my surprise when one of my favorite podcasts (called Coverville) played Raspberry Beret by this band called the Hindu Love Gods and said it was Warren with the instrumentalists of R.E.M.! While it was out of print I found the album here on iTunes and it's fantastic, truly an inspired moment for those involved. A lot of the covers are lively and fast-paced, which makes the discovery of each song's re-imagining more exciting. The songs come from sources as diverse as Prince, Woody Guthrie, and The Georgia Satellites. But they're all tied together by Peter Buck's great guitar playing, Warren's voice and the pounding rhythms. Highly Recommended!! Check this out and if you like it, it's back in print. Rhino's Encore label is putting out great albums that were unavailable and giving us all a 2nd crack at them. The Hindu Love Gods are back in stores!

...i want to clarify something one of the other reviewers wrote, about seeing this band live a little while back. Warren Zevon passed away in 2003, and to the best of my knowledge HLG never played together live - maybe someone who knows better can say if they ever did or not. That being said, his review should not be taken too seriously. Anyhoo, as for the music, a great jam record with some interesting covers, i think the second half, especially the last couple of songs, really comes on strong. Sounds like they had a great time just hanging out playing music together, a fun listen.

.."The Worried Blues Ain't Bad!"..And these cats getting together to lay down some funny-funky; loose-limbed; well-chosen "Cover Versions"; Ain't too bad either! {If it was either Peter Buck's or Warrren Zevon's idea; It really doesn't matter now; 'Cause; Man; It sure must have been one wild session!} And it showed off "Another Side" of the musicianship of R.E.M. & the underrated vocal chops of the late, lamented Warren Zevon! (We caught them all talking about 'The Hindu Love Gods" on National Public Radio; of all places; and I immediately went out and scooped up the cassette!) Awesome to have it back again; "It's All Good!"-How can you miss?-Robert Johnson to Prince!; "Turn It Up" & "Jump-Start Your Summer!"...by Grimmbo.

I like it!!!! I have the actual record which came out about 10 years ago . What is up with that self promoting band 5 ,somthing ,somthing your music is junk itunes yank them.

HLG are Pete Buck,Bill Berry, Mike Mills, and Waren Zevon fartin' around and havin' fun in the studio. All covers so nothing really original here. Just straight ahead rock n roll. A great party album. Buy it so my friend Terry Anderson (Battleship Chains) can send his kids to college and buy me a beer! (Hey TA!)