American Alternative music reviews

Yes, despite my undying love for The Clash, this may be the best punk record ever. "Fresh Fruit..." is the only album I ever put in my CD player and actually felt blown away by it. Short, fast, witty, snarling British-style punk from California came blaring out of my speakers and I loved every minute of it. The music was tightly wound, the lyrics were fresh and intelligent and Jello's warbling voice (though a little disarming at first) became my favorite part of the whole package.

I've listened to this CD what must be dozens of times and it still blows me away. So now I'm divided, is "The Clash" better or "Fresh Fruit..."? In conclusion, this is one of the best punk albums ever made.

Dead Kennedys are so fun to listen to. Jello Biafra is a genius. Everything he has to say is worth listening to, even if it makes you think he is a crazy person. The album rocks as well. Classic punk/hardcore from the early 80's. No band was better, maybe Minor Threat, but Dead Kennedys have more music to listen to. So buy this CD, especially if you are into any kind of punk.

These guys were truly a great band. It's too bad that the rest of the band hates Jello now. I probably would go see them in concert. It would be SO AWESOME to hear California Uber Alles and Chemical Warfare live. Jello has such a weird voice, and it really adds to the effect of this strangely, yet well put together rock masterpiece. The lyrics are incredibly intelligent, and thought provoking. This album perfectly fits the political situation of it's time. I swear, this IS the best punk rock CD ever recorded. Definately reccomended.

If you like this, you'll also like:

Crass
Subhumans
Earlier Anti-Flag
Bad Religion
Pennywise

Yes, despite my undying love for The Clash, this may be the best punk record ever. "Fresh Fruit..." is the only album I ever put in my CD player and actually felt blown away by it. Short, fast, witty, snarling British-style punk from California came blaring out of my speakers and I loved every minute of it. The music was tightly wound, the lyrics were fresh and intelligent and Jello's warbling voice (though a little disarming at first) became my favorite part of the whole package.

I've listened to this CD what must be dozens of times and it still blows me away. So now I'm divided, is "The Clash" better or "Fresh Fruit..."? In conclusion, this is one of the best punk albums ever made.

Dead Kennedys are so fun to listen to. Jello Biafra is a genius. Everything he has to say is worth listening to, even if it makes you think he is a crazy person. The album rocks as well. Classic punk/hardcore from the early 80's. No band was better, maybe Minor Threat, but Dead Kennedys have more music to listen to. So buy this CD, especially if you are into any kind of punk.

These guys were truly a great band. It's too bad that the rest of the band hates Jello now. I probably would go see them in concert. It would be SO AWESOME to hear California Uber Alles and Chemical Warfare live. Jello has such a weird voice, and it really adds to the effect of this strangely, yet well put together rock masterpiece. The lyrics are incredibly intelligent, and thought provoking. This album perfectly fits the political situation of it's time. I swear, this IS the best punk rock CD ever recorded. Definately reccomended.

If you like this, you'll also like:

Crass
Subhumans
Earlier Anti-Flag
Bad Religion
Pennywise

I have all the Phish albums, and this is by far the greatest album ever created in music history. The album flows well, every song is fresh and dynamacially percise. Phish shows their true talent and muscianship through making Junta, and every song is beautfully put together and funky. I have been a Phish fan for a long long time, and heard every album a million time- this one, in my opinion, is just outstandingly dominant over the others!

This is IT right here. If you've heard about Phish and don't know if you'd like them or not....this is it, if you don't like this album you won't like Phish in general, though you may still like a few of their songs, but most "kids" I know don't skip through a phish cd....Junta was the first album I was exposed to extensively, mainly the first disc, and the fluffs, it sparked a heavy enough interest for me to see them play live....and well....the rest is history! I really didn't know that a band could be so good at what they do. I was used to bar bands and I had seen "Page & Plant" perform as the only large scale show. Phish however.....was different, and out of their whole process of evolution as musicians, this album holds strong!! everyone loves a good YEM, Bowie, Divided, Foam, golgi, Fee, Fluffs, I mean...I'd be happy with that as a part of a single set list....to summerise, Junta is a make or break album, a true "test" to see if you are Phriendly enough for Phish :)

This is my favorite Phish studio album! It is really original, and showcases the creative and story-telling genius of the band. There is some Gamehenge stuff on here, and lots of really catchy songs and awesome jams (you enjoy myself!) There is also some live-recorded stuff on disc 2. I will never tire of this album!

Alright, here's the deal. I've never really liked Dave Matthews. I like about two songs. That's it. Sampling this didn't help draw me in any more, that's for sure. It's not any worse than his other stuff though.

However, I just needed to say this: What in the bloody heck were they THINKING with that album cover? I mean, honestly, album covers are supposed to help entice people to buy the album. If I were on the fence about the album, seeing that cover would put me in the "don't buy" state of mind. Obviously diehards are going to buy the album no matter what, but I guess DMB doesn't give a crap about bringing anyone else in if they're going to put out something with that poor of an album cover. Honestly. That's the whole point in the graphic design business--to appeal to the eye and make people want whatever the subject is. COMMON SENSE, jeez.

K. I'm done with my rant.

I'm 53, former jazz/rock musician from the 60s and 70s ... In 1996 I had just moved my family, complete with teenaged daughters, to Connecticut when one of them dropped a copy of "Under the Table and Dreaming" (1994) into my hands and asked me to tell her what I thought. Expecting the worst, I slipped it into the player in my car and innocently headed down the road. Within minutes I was hooked! I was stunned! My kids were listening to music better than I had! When I got home, I asked her what other music this band had produced. She told me about "Remember Two Things", their debut album. Once again, I was amazed. A live album, produced by the band itself, that was nearly flawless in execution and musicianship.

For those of my generation who haven't figured it out yet - our kids know about *great* music - and it's in the form of the Dave Matthews Band. If you want to "get down with it" and listen to *real* musicians do it right, Dave and Company have the right combination. If you *really* want to have a flashback, attend a DMB concert and have some real fun! We just got back from Randall's Island, NYC and I haven't been to a concert that good in perhaps 30 years!

Picture this...you go into a place called Trax and record some live music. It is as raw as fresh cut meat and it spreads like wild fire across the nation. Instant stardom and a huge jumpstart in the industry. Dave Matthews Band is totally amazing!

This album is very good and underrated. Every song flows nicely. This is their best overall album. This band will probably never have the run they did in the mid 90's but this is still their best album.

Better Than Ezra (BTE) has always been one of my favorite bands. Woefully underrated for years, but never giving up and producing some of the finest music from any band you will ever hear.

'Closer', is a powerhouse of brilliance from the first track to the last. Loaded with instantly catchy melodies but also containing some of the most clever, playful, and poignant lyrics. There is simply no denying the pure love that went into the production of this CD by the band. This dedication resulted in one of the most fun CD's I have ever listened to in my entire life. Seriously, I never tire of this disc, it's that good!

If there was ever an album that earned the word 'classic', 'Closer' is that CD. Do not miss this overlooked gem!

I rarely listen to albums all the way through--I find songs that I like,download them, and compile a playlist. This CD serves the same purpose as an eclectic playlist. You get a wide variety of moods and rhthyms. The album is speckled with catchy rhymes and moving melodies. A few notables: Oh, wait I can't discern between the songs' qualities, they're all awesome. BUY THIS ALBUM AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!!

It would take a while for me to tell you about this band but thats not what this review is its about music and why I still dance. The first song "Bouncing around the room" will have you bouncing around the room. What a awesome song to begin your journey into the mind blowing music of phish. second is "stash" wich has catchy melodies from the members of this awe inspiring band love the "maybe so maybe not" part. Third is "Gumbo" I like "gumbo" but its not a fav its got some good energy in it. Next is part of a song that they named "Montana" good music to get you ready for the trip you are about to take in "You Enjoy Myself". Some of the most catchy guitar work from Trey is in this song. The jam in this song will have you saying "Oh My God" . Love the focus on the keyboards, Lead Guitar, Then Bass Guitar. The Vocal Jam is quite amuzing but awesome. Next is "Chalkdust Torture" Good aong to have you dancin aswell. Next is "Slave to the Traffic Light" Incredible energy on the jam part that builds up to yet another awesome jam. Next is "Wilson" A true fan fav with the audience great vibes between both the band and the audience in this catchy tune. Next comes an experamental "Tweezer" I tell you rthis song is full of spaced out guitar work in that the effects used on this song have to be priceless and Trey can use his Efects verry well. "simple" awesome song good energy. "Harry Hood" another good song that has the audience chanting "hood" after "Harry most of the time on this song. Last is "The Squirming coil" Great middle part with up tempo beats and lyrics. This is one of my fav cd's of all time so all you who want to meet phish this is them in their prime. They have always been known for their live shows and this one is one of the best live albums they have so dont think about it buy it and welcome phish into your cars and homes.

Well i gotta say, this is like the best phish purchase i've ever made. Most songs are amazing jams with crazy solos my trey that just blow your mind. The quality is pretty dang good, except for while my guitar gently weeps, there's something weird with the quality on that one. The only real problem i have with this is tweezer, it's 30 minutes long, most people would think "Wow, thirty minutes of tweezer?! How can that be bad." well for half of it it's random noises that might be cool at the concert, but just get annoying after a while on disc. I feel it's a waste of disc space, just look at tweezer on live phish 19, it's 10:30, and sounds much better than this one. Well even with tweezer i give it 5 stars, because all the other songs are so good and well performed.

Here is my revised review:

I like Jam bands and i was told that THE jam band is Phish, so i paid out my hard earned cash and was prepared for some seriously good instrumental improvisations and EXACTLY THAT with LOTS OF direction and more importantly TONS OF fire! If you worship PHISH and think that 'live PHISH'is the meca that all jam bands should aspire to then YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY MY FRIEND. but being one that finds 'BRIT POP' interminably uninspired this album almost cured my bouts of BRITISH SNOBBERY so i should be grateful for that. The thirty minute 'tweezer' about sums this album up. It just KICKS ARSE. There is WICKED lead solo's and it DEVELOPS MEANINGFULLY. I guess if you were there it might be BETTER, but in the cold light of day it is STILL PRETTY EFFING GREAT. The only track that worked was ALL OF THEM. I really wanted to like this AND I DID LUCKY ME and i know most Jam bands (i hate SUNLIGHT)have their indulgencies but at least Moe CAN'T COME CLOSE TO THIS RECORD.This is just pure BRILLIANCE of the highest order.

The 1990s music landscape saw Alternative Rock begin to basically become part of the mainstream music fold. However, Alternative Rock also began to produce many other off-shoots. This was because there was a perception that groups such as "Nirvana" and "Gin Blossoms" would "sell out" to commercial culture. As a result, a sub-movement within Alternative Rock began to form called "Indie Rock". The "Indie" stands for independent. It is a style of music that often covers a wide variety of genres, often working on independent record labels, but most importantly the artist maintains complete control of the music and their careers. However as Indie Rock stars gained popularity, even this term began to blur a bit. One artist who rose to popularity in the Indie Rock movement was Edwin McCain. Edwin McCain's second album "Misguided Roses" produced one of the biggest hits of 1997 and 1998 called "I'll Be". While I always felt that this was an overrated song, it did give McCain's career the boost it needed. While McCain's commercial success might have put his "Indie Rock" status in question, his style would still remain true to the "Indie Rock" roots. It would be McCain's third album, "Messenger" that would show his "Indie Rock" roots. Surprisingly, this album didn't garner the critical acclaim that I would have expected.

As mentioned, a key facet to the "Indie Rock" movement is maintaining complete control of the music - in other words, doing things your own way. For the most part, with McCain, this is not an issue. The sound on "Messenger" by McCain is as "Coffee House" as you can get. There is a lot of use of acoustic (even if it is electric acoustic) guitars. McCain supplements this sound very nicely with the use of saxophones and horns. He also makes a stronger use of drums and percussions than most "Coffee House" style artists.

McCain is also one very talented songwriter. As for doing things "his own way", this is very evident on "Messenger". McCain penned 11 of the 12 tracks. One might give him some criticism for using a song ("I Could Not Ask For More") written by a very "commercial songwriter" like Diane Warren, but McCain puts his own spin on that track. After all, part of Indie Rock is doing things your own way - and that is very evident on that track.

McCain's songwriting includes a wide variety of topics. Most notably, McCain's spirituality surfaces in the song "A Prayer to St. Peter". This is an acoustic sounding song that I'm shocked didn't garner more attention on the Christian Contemporary circuit. While McCain does include other spiritual/religious references on "Messenger" (such as "Ghost of Jackson Square", "Sign on the Door", "Beautiful Life", and even on Warren's "I Could Not Ask For More"). I would say it's safe to say that McCain is a Christian influenced musician. McCain also sings on other topics - such as a tribute to his grandmother ("See Off This Mountain"); Alcoholism ("Sign on the Door" and "Go Be Young"); and of course love and romance ("Wish In This World", "Promise of You", I'll Be")

As far as McCain's songwriting goes, it is his use of metaphors that really hits home. While I did feel "I'll Be" was an overrated song, this was a song that did use metaphors very well (i.e. "Emeralds from mountains thrust from the sky", "Rain falls angry on the tin roof"). McCain carries this trademark over to "Messenger". This is seen on several tracks such as: "Wish in this World" ("Running to grass so green; Dangerous road, but it's not going to change"); "Ghost of Jackson Square" ("But fall from the height; my personal ledges; afraid to look down; my crepe paper bridges; enough water to drawn"); "Prayer to St. Peter" ("The taste of summer; and a ripened pear; and girls sweet as meadow wind"); and Sign on the Door ("With a Sign on the Door; Saying sorry we're closed").

Throughout the album, the balance between McCain's haunting vocals and the outstanding work done by his band are really done well. There isn't a bad track on this collection. Perhaps the best example of the balance between the vocals and band work is on "Go Be Young". This song got a lot of airplay and deserved it - it is the best track on the album. "I Could Not Ask for More" also get some attention as well - and also well deserved. There are many other tracks that I'm surprised didn't garner more airplay or attention - such as "Wish In This World", "Beautiful Life", "Prayer to St. Peter", "Ghosts of Jackson Square", and "Do Your Thing". "Sign on the Door" is another standout track that takes on almost a gospel-like feel toward the end of the track.

My only criticism of "Messenger" is the inclusion of the "acoustic" version "I'll Be". I almost feel that this was included to capitalize on the big success of "I'll Be". Ok, it was a popular song and there may be a market to hear a more "acoustic" sound, but I think this would have been better suited for a greatest hits album. I had mentioned that McCain did things his own way "for the most part". Perhaps the record company put some pressure to include this. While you can say this violates the spirit of the Indie Rock movement, you can also say that perhaps McCain wanted to include this - and did things his own way.

The liner notes contain all of the lyrics to all of the songs as well as the musician and production credits. While "Messenger" would be a commercial success, that would be the last album that McCain would have commercial success. McCain would return to his Indie roots of touring and word of mouth music. But "Messenger" proved that Indie Music can be good even it does sell well. Highly recommended.

This is simply one of my top 20 favorite CD's of all-time. I'm 40 years old, and have heard a lot of 'albums' and trust me, this one is right in there.
If you like Edwin at all, you will love this album.

This is one of my very favorite cds. By far the best by Edwin McCain, and among the best albums I've ever heard. Buy it. Get an extra copy for a friend.

This is their most complete album they ever created. I think this is better than Cracked Rear View simply because it has aged better. It is also richer in sound and the vocals of Darius Rucker are more confident and more assured. Closet full of fear sends chills down my spine everytime I hear it. It is my favorite song by Hootie. Michelle Post is also a superb song with ironic lyrics and jangly banjos. Musical Chairs is simply beautifully crafted and it sound like they are having a great time. Cracked Rear view was about as consistent as Musical Chairs, but Hootie are more confident and more experienced with Musical Chairs. It is a great album to relax to and it doesn't rock out that much. They don't need to with a voice as rich as Darius Rucker's.

Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you.. This album is the absolute best work from this band.. From beginning to end the lyrics are unbelievable and the closer you listen to and read the lyrics they begin to come from your own heart.. we have all been there in relationships and dating and every single song hits a key in my heart and the heart of fans everywhere.. "take a little bit of everything baby, it will be all right.. dont just settle for living the lie that i thought you might"

I'm from Costa Rica and the songs from Cracked Rearview were known and popular in the radios even in my country but I tell you folks... this is even better than Cracked Rearview, I really enjoy listening to this record once and over again... it's amazing.. I can't get enough.. these guys are the best!

Of course, aside of Counting Crows, the best U.S. bands ever!

It was well worth the four year wait from yourself til mad season. Beautiful ballets on both c.d's and Rob Thomas can really bring it home with his vocals. I was kind of shocked when I heard they already have another c.d coming out in November. I hope that it was not rushed and it has such equal staying power as the first two. The most under-rated band out there today. They deserve more credit from the music industry.

I think that Rob Thomas is the best singer in the world! He really knows how to sing! If you like all of the Matchbox 20 albums, then you should check out "Supernatural Santana". He sings this great song on supernatural. The song is called "Smooth". It's my favorite song. If you liked all of Matchbox 20's albums and check out the Song "Smooth" on the Album: "Supernatural Santana" today! Thanks.

I never paid much attention when I heard about this band, mainly for the obviously stupid reason that I thought their name was dorky. I bought this cd after hearing the lead singer on that Santana tune and thought I'd give it a try. What a great suprise! Very haunting at times and rocking at others, but altogether great! I put their first cd on my wish list this year, and bought a copy of Mad Season for my brother for Christmas. I'm sure he'll love it just like you will.

I understand this is more a return to form for Everclear, but I did prefer the more melodic sounds on Volume I. That being said there are a number of worthy songs here. "Short Blond Hair" about what really is not important anymore, "Out of My Depth" a tuneful look at despair, and "Overwhelming" which may prove to be wishful thinking but is a valiant effort to show the pain of a relationship gone wrong are all excellent examples of the band in top form.
But some other tunes are pretty much a waste of time. Like "Babytalk" that is pretty much a hard rocker about a pet peeve, and "Rock Star" an idea that has been done to death and usually better than this one. And even the title "Misery Whip" makes me wince. I just feel Volume I was more consistently listenable.

This is surely one of the greatest albums in rock. Art Alexakis is the best songwriter to come around since John Easedale from Dramarama. The song ROCK STAR is the most hilarious repudiation of the sickening false humility that permeated the Northwest Music Scene I have ever heard; its one of the most bratty, snotty, sneering rock and roll songs to blister the ears since the Sex Pistols first roared out of the gate.

I guess that is how I will sum this Songs from an American movie vol. 2... up. I don't know maybe it's just me but I love this album. I am not a person that easily gives five stars to an album, in fact some of my favorite albums only receive four stars. Anyways, this is a rock album. Meaning power chords abundant and alot of Art's patented "Oh's! and Yeah's!" But seriously this is an up tempo album, not as angry as World of noise or tracks like "heroin girl" from Sparkle and fade. Instead this album sounds like what it is, some middle age guys saying I'm going to turn this way up and throw a tantrum for fourty minutes. This is the album I use to introduce my friends to everclear, I know most people will use the argument that sparkle and world were better, but this is far more accessible and toungue and cheek. I mean come on the chorus in "babytalk" is "she's got you by the balls!" try not to sing that all day long. The one thing that I feel I should mention is what a gem the song "good witch" is. I almost break into tears when I hear it. It is a song about that love that is almost within reach. One that if you are in that situation you will feel. I love Everclear and hope that they attempt more albums in this spirit instead of whatever the heck Slow motion daydream is. Thank you for your time.