Renaissance

You probably thought the Village People packed it in after disco was declared dead. Not quite -- producer Jaques Morali had one more try at it, updating the Village People into some kind of nightmarish techno-pop band for this unfortunate 1981 release, Renaissance.

Like Boy George run amok, the once dignified Village People dress up like you've never seen them before. Look carefully: those men in the ridiculous outfits were once the Cop, the Indian, and the construction Worker we all came to know and love.

Despite their producer's efforts to remake the Village People, some of the tracks on this release retain that classic Village People pop sound. Still others attempt to mix in the new sounds of the 80's with the old sounds of 70's disco -- a combination that doesn't always work as well as planned.

Jay (stuckinraligh@netzero.net) says:
The phone number "(602) 298-4879" is a Phoenix, AZ based phone number and the registered carrier is Qwest Corporation----->You think Mary-Kate and Ashley would mind if I called collect?? I think they got the $ to handle it.

I thought Bruce Jenner killed all the original "Village People" after "Can't Stop the Music" - Ohh, maybe I heard wrong and in fact that they did the plastic surgery on his face (guess he thought 1 of them was dressed as a M.D.)

Mmmm.. Is it time to check into a rubber room?? I kind of like "Food Fight" and "DIET" - In fact, I am going to talk to my local ball club (Carolina Mudcats) about switching the 7th inning stretch from YMCA to DIET.... but I first need to know how to do the arm gestures for D..I..E..T - Can anyone help me???

Knowing now about the "double entendres" the Village People liked to sing about, I am kind of afraid to ask what "Big Mac" is REALLY about (I kind of doubt it is about a hamburger but some other piece of meat, like a weiner)

Never saw the new "improved" Village Idiots on DICK Clark's Bandstand - Wonder why??

Before hearing the actual song, was all prepared to type "DIET really works...after listening to that song, I couldn't hold down my lunch and have lost all my desire to eat... for weeks..." but I just started listening to it for the 5th time in a row!!!! They're coming to take me away ho ho he he ha ha!!!!!

BYE...Sorry but gotta get on my stomach and do 20 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, get the sweat up, get the lead out....let me leave you with the words of the main review writer of the All Music Guide (allmusic.com) ---> "Renaissance is an album that never should have been released. Appearing a year after the Can't Stop the Music debacle and after the collapse of Casablanca Records, Renaissance finds the Village People trying to find a foothold in a world that no longer likes disco. They now lack their top-notch producers and songwriters, so they have to settle for dreck like "Diet," "Fireman," "Jungle City," "Big Mac" and "Food Fight." It's music so lifeless and flat that it lacks kitsch value, even with years of hindsight. It's simply an embarrassment that never should have seen the light of day. ? Stephen Thomas Erlewine"
(04-10-2004)

Steve Dekorte says:
Maybe the 80s were too heavily imprinted on my brain, but I actually like this stuff. It's silly, it's fun, what's not to like?

When I hear Diet, I imagine a goofy music video along the lines of the battle scene in the Electric Dreams or the Devo video with Dan Aykroyd. (03-21-2004)

gftrdtdtrs says:
ahhh save me i cant take this (03-17-2004)

Adam says:
So this is where Sigue Sigue Sputnick nicked all their ideas from! (03-13-2004)

Mary-Kate and Ashley says:
Hey we just wanted to say that we love you! You are so cool!!!! Well Got to go now bye. Well call us at 602-298-4879 you are so hot!!!!!!!!!!! (03-04-2004)

The Village Idiot says:
Yes we do! (03-02-2004)

pt says:
u sux balls (03-02-2004)

Dr Atkins says:
The food obsessed theme makes me wonder if they were the Anorexic Village People. (02-25-2004)

Hailey says:
IS this the same group that did, YMCA and In the Navy? (02-05-2004)

Paul (BarkingHare@Excite.Com) says:
You know; now I wannna see the Village People live so I can shout requests for Big Mac. (01-03-2004)

Paul (BarkingHare@Excite.Com) says:
You could say the worst things about the Village People and they would shrug it off but not mentioning this record to them. This record is their equivalent to Ethel Merman disco. No, Ethel rocks compared to this. This is pure shit for any group to release and their producer should have known better to have them make this. Whoever is to blame should have not have risked not using the group's harmonies which are the cornerstone of their music. I should think the VP appreciated the (extra) make-up so no one could see their shame. (01-03-2004)

Lance Pastetonsils says:
I decided to quit my DIET. I went to McDonalds for a BIG MAC and a FOOD FIGHT broke out. I went into the bathroom to clean up and I was raped by an Indian, a Police Officer, a Cowboy, a Construction Worker and a Leather Biker. I can't remember which, but one of them asked me if I wanted CHEESE on it. GROSS!!! (12-28-2003)

David says:
I remember this. They were supposed to be "New Romantic," which was the next big thing. (11-29-2003)

John Kertland (jkertland@yahoo.co.uk) says:
What a great site.
Lots of gems.
This though-
is shit.
It's awful. (11-01-2003)

Fan of Village People - Johnn (mansworldpictures@planet.nl) says:
Where are you Village People Johnn? You seem to be very quite these days? Is is because your real Name is Mario de Laat - some sad twisted third world asshole who thinks he can make wrongful accusations on the net then try and hide? what an amazing coward you are my dear! Renaissance is such a lovely album, it always reminds me of the way you looked on Queens Day. (09-18-2003)

Moe Lester says:
What kinds of drugs led to this..."music"? (07-16-2003)

Will Severin (rough__trade@hotmail.com) says:
this is hilarious. thanks for posting these food songs. Food Fight is definately a lost punk anthem. its the only village people song i know that starts off with a "1234!" yell at the beginning. (07-02-2003)

Big Cowboy Fan says:
If you wanna get the BIG lowdown on the ORIGINAL Village People Cowboy, RANDY JONES, visit his Official Website
www.RandyJonesWorld.com (06-30-2003)

Davy Love (blowupclub@hotmail.com) says:
Did anyone else not notice that the opening of BIG MAC is a direct rip from the opening of GIVE ME BACK MY MAN by The B-52's...? Ricky Wilson is surely spinning in his grave... just not spinning this record. (05-27-2003)

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