Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?

The Like

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000ALM4FS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,578 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

To dismiss the first album by L.A. girl band The Like as the product of mere nepotism -- band members Z. Berg (guitar/vocals), Charlotte Froom (bass) and Tennessee Thomas (drums) are the progeny of A&R man Tony Berg, producer Mitchell Froom and Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, respectively, while the album title winks at a hit by the equally gene-connected ‘60s teen-rock trio Dino, Desi and Billy – would be to miss one of the most assured and satisfying debuts in many a year. If anything, that music biz lineage has only steeped them in a rich, impressively eclectic range of influences. Deftly produced with an ear towards sonic depth and emotional complexity by former Prince bandmate Wendy Melvoin, the ethos here is considerably more intriguing than cliched, jangly West Coast Bangles guitar pop. Though barely out of high school, the trio instead dishes up elegiac, shimmering gems like "We Are Lost," and "The One" with wistful weariness, while injecting more indie-spirited songs like the hook-rich "Bridge to Nowhere," "Mrs. Actually" and the thumping openers "June Gloom" and "What I Say.." with inflections of everything from The Pretenders to more contemporary UK acts like Ride and The Sundays. Berg's voice is a marvel of mature, expressive restraint that belies her tender age, while the rhythm section of Froom and Thomas power it all with inventive, airtight chops throughout. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

The Like Formed in 2001 in Los Angeles, When Best Friends Charlotte Froom and Tennessee Jane Bunny Thomas Met Z Berg and Found the Voice and Songs They Had Been Looking For. Over the Next Three Years, the Ladies Independently Released Three Eps. Soon a Diverse Fan Base Developed and Magazines from around the World Began to Take Notice. One of the Most Credible Alternative Acts to Emerge this Year, the Like Release their Debut Album, "Are You Thinking What I Am Thinking". --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent debut album... I like the Like, September 21, 2005

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rating: 4.5 Stars if new to the Like; 4 Stars for the rest of us.

I don't know how or where exactly my 15 yr. old daughter heard about the Like, but last year she downloaded a free song from the Like's website, and based on that we bought the 3 self-released EPs the band had issued in 2004 from their website (no longer available, I might add), and they were excellent. Based on the strength of those EPs, the band obtained a record deal. Fast-forward one year, and here we are.

"Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking" (13 tracks; 47 min.) brings us a nice mix of poppy rock, and I mean that as a compliment. The album is well-sequenced: from opener "June Gloom" to (first single) "What I Say and What I mean", and on, the set of 13 songs really flows well, with hardly a weak moment. Other highlights include, among others, "(I'll Sit Here) Waiting", the pensive "Bridge to Nowhere" and the rocking "Under the Paving Stones". (Incidentally, the singer of the band reminds me of the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde.)

Another comparison that comes to mind is Eisley. Similar to this band, Eisley released some EPs and then their excellent debut album earlier this year. The music of the Like is a bit edgier than Eisley, but generally is the same smart pop sense.

Finally, I rate this album "only" 4 stars since about half of the album are songs that come from the self-released EPs (similar to Eisley's debut album). We want more new songs! But if you're new to the Like, there is a lot of great new music to discover and, urr, to like. Highly recommended!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's Not to Like?, September 14, 2005

By	Steven Moore (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Thirteen summer-sad songs from a flower power trio, led by the extraordinarily talened singer/guitarist Z Berg. Seven songs are reworked from the three EPs they've released over the last few years. Their sound is reminiscent of the Sundays, maybe, or even "Life Is Sweet"-era Maria McKee (major compliment). The only drawback is the twee cover, but turn the booklet around and there's a lovely photo of these winsome beauties that can be used instead.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Like The Like!!!, October 29, 2005

By	Obsessed With The Who - See all my reviews

I've been a fan of The Like for about a year, and finally after all that waiting, there is a finished product sitting on store shelves. The waiting was worth it, because this is a phenomenal album.

Tennessee Thomas starts the album off with a bang as she pounds on her drums in June Gloom. The melancholy lyrics of this song set against a great pop/rock beat are reminiscent of The Killers' hit from earlier this year, Mr Brightside. Next is the hard rocking What I Say And What I Mean, the first single from the album. It's one of the best tracks on the album without a doubt.

The haunting (So I'll Sit Here) Waiting has a Pixies-ish sound and a hypnotic bass line. The hardest rocking song on the album is Under The Paving Stones, which opnes with guitar that sounds a lot like London Calling by the Clash. The lyrics have great meaning too. And on Too Late, Z Berg shows off her amazing vocals as she sings a cappella.

The album never falters. And neither do The Like. They are just as excellent live as they are on record. From the drum-pounding opening track June Gloom to the dreary, dreamy Waves That Never Break ending the album, Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? is the perfect combination of beautiful vocals, nice instrument playing, and meaningful lyrics. 5 stars for this wonderful debut album. It was certainly well worth the wait.