Customer Reviews

Across the Universe

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Trip Shakespeare is a band that deserved mainstream popularity, but never got the exposure their music was worthy of, even with the critical acclaim they received. This album is their quintessential recording: pristine harmonies, unique drum and bass work, atmospheric guitars. The songs are alternately funny (The Slacks; Snow Days), hard-rocking (The Nail) and heartbreaking (Late; Gone, Gone, Gone). Don't let the term pop music frighten you...this is great stuff.

The saddest day of my life was the day I loaned out this cassette. I should have listened to my intuition, which said "NO--Don't let this one go," but I was really hip to the Trip and wanted to turn some friends of mine on to them. Even now, nine years later, I am haunted by the lyrics and sounds of Snow Day. If Across the Universe is ever reissued, I'll go without meals to pay top dollar for it.

Summer 1993. A guy breezes into town from Minneapolis and Across the Universe becomes the soundtrack. Driving...smoking...laughing... So about this album you ask? If you can find it, buy it. If you happen to know a guy name neil who spent some time in Arizona a few years back, kiss him for me...I never did.

This album, Across The Universe, is timeless. Every song flows into the next one. The Slacks has to be the best. Of course, getting to experience Trip Shakespeare live is the way to go. They were so much fun to watch, very entertaining. I hope that they re-issue this cd so that others can enjoy it.

To sit down and listen to this CD from beginning to end is a phenomenal experience. The shame of their music no longer being made is heartbreaking. From the poppy "Slacks" to the painfully romantic "Unlucky Lady", finishing up with "Honeytree" which builds to an unbelievable climax...The strong vocal stylings of Dan Wilson kicking off the album, combined with the talented,quirky writing of brother Matt and the romantic crooning of John Munson...Amazing!!!!!

I met a girl from Chicago on a lovely little Greek Island in 1992 and she gave me this tape. I have just confined it to landfill and bought the cd. It was a sweet summer and a sweet soundtrack. Hope you're cool wherever you are. Go buy this album, it won't disappoint.

I had to write this to disagree with one of the reviewers who disliked/hated the song Drummer Like Me. What? Ironically, I looked up this album (on Amazon) for just that song (it's not on itunes); Drummer Like Me is a gorgeous, well-written, wonderful song; one of my favorites ever. Different strokes for different folks I guess. The Crane is another wonderful song, more of a "rocker." Wish I'd seen them live, back in the day (along with all those other great Mpls bands).

I wandered one evening into a bar in Uptown, and Trip Shakespeare was playing. If you never saw them live, then your life will end incomplete. My favorite Trip show was a benefit on Halloween, and all were dressed in fabulous costumes. Lots of drama with this group, but a show one will never forget. Some of my best memories were at Trip Concerts! Bring back Trip! One of my all time favorite bands in the Universe. ToolMaster of Brainerd. Who could think that stuff up???

Across the Universe has got to be one of my all-time favorite albums. It's been that way from the moment I first saw it in a used cd store on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. And then when I popped it in my Player and did my errands around Manhattan, things just got better and better.

From the first strains of Turtledove, I was in love. In fact, the only song I ever didn't absolutely love was "the Slacks". That error in judgment on my part was corrected when I first got to see Trip Shakespeare perform the Slacks. Their take on their own song was so wonderfully, humorously, enlightening, I began to make the Slacks the starting point for many listens of this masterpiece.

Unfortunately, during my divorce, my ex decided to keep Across the Universe. And won't even copy it for me. Even though I have groveled.

I love it, I love them. I miss it, I miss them.

This is one of the best collection of songs ever published. It is rare that all the songs on an entire album are exceptional. This album is a must for everyone's collection of alternative music without the lethargic, angst-ridden depressive feel that most alternative music contains. I highly recommend it!