Customer Reviews

Decaf

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We both love this CD! The melodies are soul-soothing and energizing at the same time, and the introspective and engaging lyrics have a joyful rememberance of the past and a sense of humor toward the present and future. It's the first CD in our collection that we reach for after a long day at work, or just when we're in a playful mood. It's a must-have for a refreshing perspective on the relationships we have (and had), and on the lives we are leading in today's world. We HIGHLY recommend it to everyone - it will put a smile on your face!!

In a world of Korn Bizkits, hipless hop and soulless soul, Decaf is a welcome and revitalizing shot of oxygen. The CD simplistically oozes musicianship and songwriting prowess, from a guy who has been there and done that. (Anyone familiar with the unsung antics of Peace Corp knows George's penchant for politics, humor and cow-tipping the sacred.) It's not rock and roll per se, though its influence - along with other musical genres - tastefully permeates the CD. Good as Decaf is, it exposes as much potential as it does well-crafted tunes. This is a great addition to the Fryer library as well as one's own collection. If you enjoy the likes of the Beatles, Trash Can Sinatras and Michelle Shocked, Decaf is for you. If not, you might enjoy the change between Zebrahead and Prodigy spins. Enjoy it with reduced blood pressure and a new sense of calm.

Great album. Definitely worth your time and money!

George Fryer has been called "impossibly upbeat" which, I suppose, he is. But only in that "in-spite-of" sense of impossibly. Read the warning label inside the package of Decaf. The shiny melodies hide coffee that at times is very black indeed. In "One More Day (till the end of the world)" George sells his soul but wants it back. So George loads on the international non-dairy creamer, but which flavor is it anyway, Beatles, Badfinger, or early Rafferty? There's domestic as well, but is it Dylan, Freedy Johnstone or REM for Dummies? (With George you can actually tell what he's singing about.) What makes Decaf great is, where others imitate, it celebrates. And where artistes du-jour create ripped-off, er, sampled hits, Decaf splashes references that suggest and remind. Each of the 12 tracks lands a breeze-carried-can't-quite-place-scent on the tip of your tongue. The "Lonesome Gal" seems to turn the Girl from the North Country into Norwegian Wood. The way the bonus track revisits Highway 61 is less subtle but far from overpowering. And some are downright amazing, like the above mentioned "One More Day" - a suicide note that looks in David Byrne's Mind to find La Bamba. Hats off to a man who lived through the nineties to take a positive stance in a post-grunge world. He's the reason Tori wants to kill the waitress. If you're a connoisseur, don't say definitely maybe. This Decaf has been distilled down and served up fresh. Drink it anytime, it's a strong brew that won't keep you up nights.

DECAF HAS A LEMNON TWIST REMINISCENT OF BEATLES NOSTALGIA AND EXISTENTIAL HUMOR

FEELS LIKE ROLLING IN THE GRASS IN SUMMER SQUIRT ORANGE WITH BITTER BLACK

WITH TIME'S REGRET DECAF REVEALS THE MAKING OF YOUR SILENCED SONGS

REUNIONS IN CONVERSATIONS

PANSIES BARE THEIR SPROUTS FOR ONE DECAF THIRST

DECAF IS A WHIFF OF LIFE'S BREATH: BRILLIANT, UNIQUE, & NECESSARY

JUST SIMPLY A MOMENT OF PROFOUND FUN

I tend to agree with a prior reviewer's conception that this CD is a welcome departure from the Korn Bizkit's and their wannabe's. I'm listening to the CD as I write this to get a fresh perspective on my own thoughts and I find myself getting lost in the music instead.

My earliest memories of popular music include "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", "Wipe Out", "Big Girls Don't Cry", the whole slew of AM Summer radio hits from The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Motown, The Association, and the British Invasion that soon followed.

Where Smashmouth took that era - concentrating on the "groovy" sounds and expanding them for the 90's in their "Astrolounge" CD, George draws and focuses such influences as Peter, Paul and Mary and Simon & Garfunkel reflected in his acoustical guitar stylings, throws in a huge helping of the Beatle's witty innocence and liberally sprinkles the sum of the whole with Motown and everything leading up to the Summer of Love. THIS coming from the creative mind behind Peace Corp - quite a contradiction that seems to be a natural progression for George - the most obvious bridge (for this reviewer) between those worlds can be found in the chorus of "Let's do it again" where George seems to be nicely restraining himself from jumping into full fledged ska/reggae/punk while keeping the groove hook moving forward.

Generous with love songs, the arrangements are a thorough lesson in efficient songwriting at its best. There is nothing (obviously) out of place thrown in to jar the senses from a very comfortable sea of harmonies and odes to love. The layering and mixing of instruments and voices is just enough to provide an incredible blend of "Decaf" to soothe the senses.

...and you absolutely MUST listen to the prequisite hidden track that encompasses just about EVERY musical genre known to man!

Definitely a welcome change from the angry doom and gloom that is so prevalent in our music today (not once did George mention his own name in ANY of the songs!) - perhaps "Decaf" and more CD's like it will make the big five record companies sit up and take notice the way Bonnie Raitt and her ilk did so many years ago.

I'm not giving up my penchant for old school heavy metal, but this CD has earned a permanent spot in my CD changer - give it a spin!

"Decaf" is the title but the music is fully leaded. Pick up a copy of "Decaf" for a great musical experience courtesy of George Fryer. George leads off the album with "You Make Me Happy" and delves into a great rhythm and wordplay that makes you do a double take at your stereo speakers...... And that's just the beginning.

Throughout the album he opens himself up to the listener in ways that make the songs personal to each one of us, but his intoxicating music has a way of embedding the thoughts deep into our heads where they stew and resurface later as we hum the tunes. Songs like "She's In Love" and "I Remember" are just a few that you'll be humming after one listen to this outstanding album.

The cd Decaf by George Fryer is a fresh new sound for the talented artist. He has toned down his previously harder sounding rock into easy listening music which is very enjoyable to listen to. With his years of experience, he has finally found a niche and type of music which is best suited for his abilities and he should perform better than ever. I highly recommend this cd to people of all ages whether listeneing in you car or just relaxing at home with guests. I feel that George has a bright future ahead of him and his best work is ahead of him.

Good stuff. I went to school with George from 3rd grade through high school, and remember at a high school party him singing and playing guitar on LIGHT MY FIRE, and being impressed he could hit those Jim Morrison notes, and play the guitar solo effortlessly, too. Then I read the angry and jealous rant about touring with Sugar Ray he authored in O.C. WEEKLY. I thought, "bitter." But I know the feeling: a friend of mine from school, Mossimo, skyrocketed past me with a successful clothing company, and I didn't like that too much. And then I listen to this album and, hey, George has a right to be bitter! I like Sugar Ray, but George's stuff is excellent! Why should Mark McGrath be a household name, and not George Fryer? Luck [stinks] if you're on the wrong end of it. And hearing this album, the ONLY thing separating George from Sugar Ray type success is luck. His composing ability is among the best I've heard ANYWHERE. Anyway, you should be one of the proud and the few who listen to this and buy this album!...

Things take a while to get to the Midwest(and even longer to get out). It's a filtering mechanism for all the east/west coast hype these days. That said, George Fryer has landed in Ohio from California, and he delivers a tasty brew that plays to the heartland of America. And I'm not talking retro-nostalgia or country. This is good music, well crafted and produced. The lyrics are clever and insightful. From the unbridled joy of "Waitress", to the darker "I Remember", to the quirky "One More Day", Fryer takes the listener on a ride through a variety of emotions held together with a constant optimism. Like a good cup of coffee, Decaf can be enjoyed with friends or sipped in those solitary moments when you just want to get in touch with yourself.

Have a sip; you'll go back for more.