Alcatraz

Mr. T Experience | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lookout
• ASIN: B00001QEMA
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,197 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Wrote a Book About Rock & Roll

2. Naomi

3. Self Pity

4. Hey Emily

5. Tomorrow Is a Harsh Mistress

6. Two of Us

7. Our Days Are Numbered

8. We're Not No One

9. Re-Activate Your Heart

10. Perhaps

11. She's My Alcatraz

12. I Fell for You

13. We'll Get By

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful album about the joys of a real relationship, May 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Alcatraz (Audio CD)

Although the Mr. T Experience had been known for years as the seminal pop-punk band, with Alcatraz singer/song-writer Dr. Frank dropped the "punk" and the results are nothing short of amazing. The result is a beautiful indie-pop album, which certainly recalls Elvis Costello at his best. This new sound cost MTX a few old fans, but really ought to win them some new fans (those who are into emo and indie rock should find much to enjoy in Alcatraz). This album is most noteworthy for the song-writing, however. Dr. Frank sings about the joys and disbelief of (finally!) being in a loving relationship. The songs have almost a "you and me against the world" vibe to them, but those who have been through a string of bad relationship experiences before finally finding the right person should really be able to relate to. Frank's trademark sense of humor is still here as always, but it's toned down, the plays on words are wittier than ever, but they're also more subtle (which has lead to the comments that this is a more mature album). The vocals on the album are truely unique; Frank struggles (occasionally succeeding) to hit high notes. His voice isn't perfect, but it's sincere and (perhaps most surprisingly) legitimately soulful and moving. On songs like "Our days are Numbered" and "Perhaps" he sings with a gentle passion about the odds against his relationship succeeding, as his voice implies even more than his lyrics. All of this is perfectly complemented by wonderful pop guitar and piano arrangements. This is a damn fine album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great MTX album, February 20, 2002

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Alcatraz (Audio CD)

I think this is great... anyone who couldn't handle the introduction of a little 'Sixties-ed out organ into the already fab MTX mix really owes it to themselves to listen to this album again... and again and again and again. Dr. Frank is a brilliant songwriter, operating miles ahead of most other rock bands. Anyone who can pen a pop-culture homage to author Naomi Wolfe, or who skewers pretentious music critics as ably as Frank does in "I Wrote A Book About Rock And Roll" deserves our full attention. Besides, I think he should get extra points for being willing to go out on a limb and try to mature as an artist and develop his craft beyond his "song about a girl" roots. This is intelligent pop for pop-punky people.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Direction for MTX, March 12, 2000

By 

Eric Christensen (SLC, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alcatraz (Audio CD)

This album is a step off the beaten path for MTX. If you are a fan of MTX, you'll have to get over the initial shock of the more (or dare I say over-)produced sound. But the songs are still there. It grew on me. When I saw them live on this most recent tour, I was up front, so I couldn't hear the keyboard being pumped through the mains, and it sounded like the raw(my preference) MTX. Franks lyrics shine on this one.