This Is the Day… This Is the Hour… This Is This!
Pop Will Eat Itself · 1989
51 min · 15 tracks · alternative rock
A chaotic fusion of industrial beats, rap-rock energy, and punk ethos that embodies late '80s British counterculture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Preaching to the Perverted — This track exemplifies the band's unique style with its provocative lyrics and infectious hooks, capturing their critique of societal norms.
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Wise Up! Sucker — With its anthemic chorus and blend of rap and rock elements, this song showcases the band's ability to craft catchy yet thought-provoking music.
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Can U Dig It? — This track stands out for its playful sampling and energetic delivery, embodying the spirit of rebellion that characterized the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's genre-blending and satirical lyrics mark it as a distinctive entry in late '80s alternative rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that combines rock instrumentation with rapid-fire rapping, setting a frenetic tone.
- Several tracks incorporate samples and electronic elements, creating a layered sound that shifts between genres throughout the record.
- The lyrics often employ satire and social commentary, with multiple tracks featuring abrupt tempo changes and dynamic shifts in intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- frenetic bursts of energy
- dynamic flow with peaks
- short tracks for quick engagement
- chaotic spirit of counterculture
- participatory anthems for groups
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow-paced listening
- seek lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant rise in the band's popularity and chart success.
- Career context
- Released on May 1, 1989, This Is the Day… This Is the Hour… This Is This! was Pop Will Eat Itself's second studio album, following their debut 'Box Frenzy' in 1988. At this point, the band was solidifying its position within the grebo movement, blending alternative rock and hip-hop influences while pushing boundaries in sound and style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ned's Atomic Dustbin· The Prodigy· Faith No More
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 PWEI Is a Four Letter Word 1:13
- 2 Preaching to the Perverted 4:26
- 3 Wise Up! Sucker 3:15
- 4 Sixteen Different Flavours of Hell 1:23
- 5 Inject Me 3:50
- 6 Can U Dig It? 4:31
- 7 The Fuses Have Been Lit 4:02
- 8 Poison to the Mind 0:57
- 9 Def.Con.One 3:59
- 10 Radio PWEI 3:37
- 11 Shortwave Transmission on ‘Up to the Minuteman Nine’ 1:02
- 12 Satellite Ecstatica 3:33
- 13 Not Now James, We’re Busy... 3:08
- 14 Wake Up! Time to Die... 6:41
- 15 Wise Up! Sucker (12” Youth mix) 5:42
What to play next
Cure for Sanity
1990
Continues the fusion of genres with a more polished sound and deeper themes.
Box Frenzy
1987
Precedes this album with a similar chaotic energy and punk influences.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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