Songs From An American Movie Vol.2 (Good Time For A Bad Attitude) [PA] - Everclear > Reviews > Everclear back at their best

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Everclear revert back to good ol' rock  -  and the lyrics are as good as ever
Disadvantages:	ummm .  .  .  .  . if you wanted the more laid back everclear, look elsewhere .  Oh and everyone is using interactive CD's nowadays .  why arent Everclear??

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Like in their other albums such as 'So much for the Afterglow' and 'Sparkle and Fade', their best tracks definitely come when they revert back to their old punk/rock/metal sound, and they've come up with several good tracks on this album.

Art Alexakis always makes me laugh, if only because all the lyrics are inspired. In 'Rock Star' i cant help but smile at the line 'I just want to be a rock star, I just want to be laid' which manages to ridicule the entire rock image in two short lines. Ive heard that Everclear has been compared to other rock bands such as Foo fighters, Third Eye Blind and Smashing Pumpkins. Suffice to say that they are nothing like them and yet faintly similar at the same time.

Some of their songs are based around almost frantic chords, while others -predominatly in SFAAM Vol:1 - have been very laid back and based around accoustic guitars. The style is distinctly different from any other band ive heard, but if u like people strumming away at guitars, you'll probably like Everclear. Be warned that the drummer also has a fondness of the Ukelele!

The album has some potential hit singles with 'When it all goes wrong again' (Great start to the album), 'Rock Star', 'All f**ked up' (making this their first album to have a ;Parental Advisory' sticker), and 'Song From An american Movie PT:2' (my fave). Weak tracks? well not being a fan of instrumentals, id have to say 'Halloween Americana', but thats about it!

One would wonder what would have happened if Art Alexakis had not done 2 'concept' albums and had put the best of both the latest albums together. I figure it would result in a album to put SMFTA to shame, however I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Everclear - It is as least as good as 'So much for the Afterglow', i would say better, as there are no obviously bad songs.

**update**

Having looked back on my first op, i think i should really add some more info that i missed out the first time round, so here goes!

Songs from and american movie: part 2, is the fifth proper album that Everclear have released. In addition to these 5 official releases, they have several EP's which are basically half albums which contains some old tracks, and some new material.

The band itself is made up of:

Art Alexakis - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Eklund - Drums, Vocals
Craig Montoya - Bass, Vocals

Originally formed in 1992, This american band recorded their first album for under $400. In 1994, Greg Eklund replaced Scott Cuthbert as drums and vocals and since then the band has rocketed to fame. Well known in the US, this rock/grunge band has yet to gain a significant foothold in the alternative music scene in Britain. Having said that, their recent gig in london (May 30th, i think) was a sold out affair. Early comparisons to Nirvana (exacerbated by the singer's short bleached/blonde hair) were furthered when Kurt Cobain publicly stated his approval. However since then, Everclear have mellowed out a bit, and found their own little niche in the rock scene.

The majority of the songs that Everclear have produced come from the musical genius that is Art Alexakis. To his advantage, he did have a pretty screwed up life - giving him plenty of stuff to sing about!!

The album itself consists of:

When it all goes wrong again
Slide
Babytalk
Rockstar
Short Blonde Hair
Miser Whip
Out of my depth
The good witch of the north
Halloween americana
All F**ked up
Overwhelming
Song from an american movie pt.2

Having listened to all their albums again, i dont really know which album is my favourite. i know, i know, not exactly the decisive statement you want to hear in an op, but its true! Just to contradict my previous opinion, i guess my fave albums would be(fave to least):

Sparkle and Fade
SMFTA and SFAAM: Part 2
SFAAM: part 1
world of noise

Nevertheless, i would still highly recommend all and any of these albums to you