Customer Reviews

Can You Do Me Good

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As with 'Some Other Suckers Parade' and 'Twisted' there are some tunes on here that are less than 5 stars, but they're balanced by the strength of some of the other real standout tunes. I do believe the songwriting is as strong as any of the other Del albums (although I'll admit I'm still partial to 'Waking Hours' and 'Change Everything'). I think a lot of folks who aren't into this disc are too distracted by the techno-touches (loops, synths, drums machines, etc) to see the basics of the song. Vocal harmonies are there, nice song structures, light acoustic guitar touches in the background, and great vocal delivery by Currie. I'm not nuts about 'Just Before You Leave' (reminds me of 'Cry to Found'... trying a little TOO hard to be blue-eyed soul, so to say... but still not a bad song). I do wish there were a bit more in the way of Iian Harvie's electric guitar, but so it goes... as a whole, just with 'Twisted' and 'Some Other Sucker' there are some awesomely crafted tunes on here.

Highlights would be:
1. Drunk in a Band (great rockin' semi-self-deprecating three chord pop tune!)
2. She's Passing this Way (classic sounding del ballad)
3. Just Getting By (also more tradional sounding del--the only 6/8 time sig on the disc)
4. Out Falls the Past
5. Buttons on my Clothes (catchy tune with a 'groovy' rythm)
6. Last Cheap Shot at the Dream
7. Cash and Prizes (similar lyrical theme to 'Paper Thin')

As some other reviewer stated, it's hard to believe these guys didn't just saturate the airways in the 90's, but on the other hand I'm kind of glad they didn't. They might not have been the same band with the kind of market penetration of say, 'Creed' or whatever the heck else is/was getting played to death now or back in the 90's.

Likewise, I was eager to hear the new Del, and for the most part, I'm not disappointed. Given Justin's pissed-at-the-world and overly sarcastic interviews, I'm happy he doesn't let his dispostition permeate EVERYTHING he writes (although it certainly does in 'Jesus Saves'). All in all, it's a slick, catchy and thoroughly enjoyable CD.

While not their best work, I do think it may be my favorite album of theirs in about 10 years since "Change Everything". "Just Before You Leave", "Drunk in a Band", and "Out Falls the Past" are incredibly catchy songs, while "Baby It's Me", "Last Cheap Shot at the Dream", and "Just Getting By" are more thought-provoking ballads. Almost all the songs are lyrically brilliant, as I've come to expect from Del Amitri, but "Buttons on My Clothes" is the absolute standout, mixing great lyrics with beautiful melodies. This album is one of the best of 2002, and the shame here is that the band was dropped from their label before this CD could be released in the US.

As a long-time Del's fan going back to the 'Waking Hours' release, this CD shows Justin Currie, Ian Harvie and company still have what it takes to make one 'ell of a CD, one of the best in 2002. Anyone who thought these guys were through after 'Some Other Suckers...' need to get a hold of this one. They've taken it to a new level, with a refreshing new sound (actually several) that generate great hooks with the classic lyrical genius of Justin Currie. Just Getting By, She's Passing This Way, Baby It's Me, and Buttons On My Clothes will have you going back for repeated listenings, where you'll get into the others including Drunk In a Band, Out Falls The Past and more. Clearly 'Last Cheap Shot' and 'One More Last Hurrah' send a message...this coulde be the last from the Del's in my opinion. Like 'Change Everything', these guys have again and it paid off. Too bad they didn't get this CD hyped in the U.S. I was hoping for one more chance to see them live.

More techno-slick than their other albums, but still unmistakably the Dels. Techno-slick is only to be scorned when it's all there is, which isn't the case here. More sharp, dead-on lyrics, melancholy reappraisal, obsession, poignant sweetness (they'd probably hate me saying that, but there it is), oh-bugger-off humor and a disgusted rant framed by those melodies, that music, and Justin Currie's voice. Not just his voice but how he uses it. It's really a bloody shame the band wasn't more successful/popular, particularly in the States. They deserved to be, as I've heard others say (one of them was Russell Crowe). My one regret is that I came to the table too late to see them play live.

Most excellent songs: "Baby It's Me," "Out Falls the Past," "Drunk in a Band," "One More Last Hurrah," "Last Cheap Shot at the Dream," "Just Getting By," "Buttons on My Clothes." As you can see, most of the album. The other songs aren't bad, either.

I'd like to know why they named the CD "Can You Do Me Good?" I have a few ideas, but they're probably nowhere near the mark...

This is not my favorite Del album. However, it is fantastic. With the ingenious lyrics and perfect music to showcase them and to move you to sing along...savoring every word. Del never fails to amaze me with lyrics that touch everyone...we've all been there or done that and can identify with each experience as the story is relayed to us. As usual for me with Del albums, I love half the album immediately and the other half grows on me within a dozen or so listens. It hasn't left my player in over a month...BUY IT!!! You WILL NOT regret it, in fact, buy all their albums...they are all wonderful good stuff!

God, i've wwaited forvever for this CD to come out. There was nothing more exciting than for me to recieve this CD in the mail. I adore del amitri, and I love all their work, but alot of this CD is not the real Del. Alot of the romance and power and somberness is lost behind odd beats and even some really strange lyrics. There are of course so amazing songs, "Just Getting By", "Baby, It's Me", and "Buttons on my Clothes" are excellent. "Just Before You Leave" and "Drunk In a Band" are pretty sweet tunes, but alot of this CD is much worse than their B-sides (which I must admit are fantastic). I'm a Del fanatic...they are by far the best and most well rounded group I have ever heard, but buy their other seven albums first, and if you adore them, maybe consider this one. I wouldn't buy it just for the music, but maybe to add to your collection. I'm not really panning it, but it could have been more spectacular. I'm so sorry guys, I still love you.

I finally got my copy of this long-awaited CD. I was hoping for a US release, but to no avail. Del Amitri once again prove themselves to be possibly the most underrated band ever. The band cranks it up with "Drunk in a Band," a great head-nodding pub song. The stand out track in my opinion is "Buttons on My Clothes". It ranks among their best and in a perfect world, would have been everybody's favorite song of 2002. Lyrically, Justin Currie is once again at the top of his game. The man just cannot write a lame lyric. You can always count on Del Amitri for great ballads. Here, "She's Passing This Way" and "Just Getting By" are two more great chronicles in the long and sorry love life of Mr. Currie. Songs like "One More Last Hurrah" and "Last Cheap Shot at the Dream" are somewhat prescient in their foreshadowing the band's recent split from their US label. Too bad for the masses, but not if you're willing to dig a little deeper for the truffles. Note: If you're a fan of brit-pop like Oasis, Travis and Coldplay, buy this and every other Del Amitri CD. I guarantee you those bands were listening to the Dels when they were writing.

This album is certainly a departure from what we would expect from Del Amitri. However if you listen to all the albums in order (not counting the greatest hits and B sides) you'll notice that they've been evolving all along. This isn't that far of a stretch musically from "Some Other Sucker's Parade" if you listen closely to both. ... They took a lot of chances with this one but I think every song works out well. As a stand alone album, its undeniably good. Very few artists in history can produce albums that are this well written and creative. Think back over pop music history and look at the best rock artists. ... This is another album that will solidify a place in history for Del Amitri as one of the most creative bands of all time. ...

I don't know of that many Del fans. That doesn't stop me from being one: they're one of my favourite adult alterna (or whatever you call them) rock bands with a flair for pop hooks that I don't find in a lot of 'hot' contemporary bands. 'Can You Do Me Good'establishes that faith. 'Twisted' was a great record, and the Gibson lines come back with "Cash & Prizes"...I don't know why very few people have mentioned that track on this review firum. "Buttons on My Clothes" is another great tune. The lyrical quality of Mr. Currie's sonngs have always been, well, lyrical, for lack of a better word. It's poetry, at its best. "Jesus Saves", for one, "Just Before you Leave", for another. Get hooked.

Del Amitri doesn't disappoint with this album. Several of the songs are as amazing as anything they ever offered fans: "She's Passing This Way," "Cash & Prizes," "Buttons on My Clothes," and my favorite, "Out Falls the Past," which features some wonderful background brass.

A shame they are no longer recording...