Customer Reviews

Pure Frosting

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pure Frosting contains a few classic tracks that should not be missed and some others that didn't make it on albums for reasons that are clear.

The number one track on this album is "Man (Opposable Thumb)", it is everthing a good PUSA song should be: quirky, loud and full of energy.

Other standouts include:
-"Japan" which is poppy and fun (Hi-ya!)
-"Tiki Longe God" which is just a slowed-down version of "Tiki God" from II, but the story is all still there.
-"Teenage Girl" which sounds a lot like "Mach 5".

-"Cleveland Rocks" and "Video Killed..." are great, but they've been overplayed, so they're not as exciting to hear.

The rest of the album is pretty mediocre, although the live tracks are fun to hear the on-stage banter.

The album is worth the the 4 stand-out tracks I mentioned, but I wouldn't recommend it as an intro to the band, something like II or Love Everybody would be a better representation of their style.

It's a shame that PUSA never recieved much radio airtime after their first album was overplayed. This is a great album and a must for any Presidents fan. Love Delicatessen is a great opener, then it's followed by the never great Video Killed The Radio Star (a mediocre song from the start), but the bouncy Mobile Home boosts the beat. Japan is simply a rock song with a good beat, while Sunshine is a change; not for the better or worse, but something different for the band. The Live Version of Back Porch is jus enjoyable to hear (for those of us who never saw them in concert). Man is just odd, it starts out fine, then changes styles completely. The original Tiki God was better, but this one has it's place. Teenage girl is another rock song. Slip Away is a low point, but is worth listening to. Tremolo Blooz is a fun Delta Blues/Western tune and is one of the highest points on the album. Wel all know Cleveland Rocks, and the Live version on Lump surpasses the original.
Overall GET THIS ALBUM!

This CD features songs that have been released on other various recordings including two live songs of Back Porch (excellent version) and Lump. Some songs on here have never been released before. And some of these songs are in movies/tv shoes. Video Killed the Radio Star was featured in the Wedding Singer, and Cleveland Rocks is the theme song to the Drew Carey Show. Both of those songs weren't written by PUSA. And another song known to the fans would be Tiki Lounge God, but in a totally different style, it is pretty much acoustic with bongo drums.

All in all, a great CD to end the career of a great band!

This CD is actually one of the best collections of rarities and b-sides out there. Most people see is as the way to get "Video Killed The Radio Star" without buying the less-than-stellar Wedding Singer soundtrack. But it's much more than just one song. I think what makes this release more alluring (though not necessarily better) than their first two CDs is its diversity of songs. For example, "Tremolo Blooz" is very different from anything else the band's ever done and "Love Delicatessen" is one of their longest recorded songs (at 4+ minutes). Still it's very hard to compare Pure Frosting with their debut or II; but nonetheless this is a great album. Here's a rundown of the 13 tracks:

As I said, the opener "Love Delicatessen" is one of the band's longest. It's a loud, but melodic song about a waitress and life at a delicatessen. We all know "Video Killed The Radio Star"; so in turn there's not much to be said about it. And although it's reason enough to buy this CD, it's still not the only good song. "Mobile Home" is mostly reminiscent of something off II, yet it may be one of the weaker points on the album. In a step up, "Japan" is certainly one of the best songs here. The band quotes `we're an American band / and everything is rockin out of control when we hit Japan'. It's hard to compare "Japan" to any other Presidents song, but it's most memorable and easy to sing along to. If there's a hidden gem on Pure Frosting, it's "Sunshine". It's a very quiet song, but lacks nothing. Its lyrics are familiar, but the sound is something of its own. The live version of "Back Porch" is also good; as it's fun to hear the band attempt the verse about one-string/two-string/no-string guitars; although the succession may not be what you were hoping for. It's good, but nowhere near as awesome as the original.

"Man (Opposable Thumb)" is also an enjoyable track that takes us back to the days of the debut. I think it's safe to say "Man" could easily become favorite. The line `you're gonna have to try to kill me / if you wanna be a man' is particularly good. I don't really like "Tiki Lounge God" that much; as I found it too alike with "Naked And Famous". It's catchy though. "Teenage Girl" is another favorite of mine. And again, it could've come from II. The `he's 13 / she's 13' is a simple chorus, yet it works wonders for the song. "Slip Away" is another weak point on Pure Frosting, yet it's quite original. Next, it took me a while to come to like "Tremolo Blooz". It's very country-like, which is something Presidents fans won't be used to. It was featured on the Nothing To Lose soundtrack; and I have come to really enjoy it. Along with "Video Killed The Radio Star", "Cleveland Rocks" is another song people should know. And that's with good reason. Finally, the live version of "Lump" rounds out the CD with near perfection. Not just because of "Lump", but for the `hot Carl!' chants at the very end of the track (you'll have to listen to understand).

Overall, Pure Frosting is a very good release. Yet it is very obvious it's not as good as their first two. This is not another themed cars or cats release from the Presidents; and many people won't appreciate it in its entirety. But for big Presidents fans (who see the whole picture) this is an excellent release. This is a great assortment of rarities, b-sides, and soundtrack songs that work together in making an awesome album. If you like the Presidents Of The United States Of America's self-titled debut and (especially) II, Pure Frosting will easily be playing in your CD player for years to come.

The Presidents are what is described as "the sunnier side of Northwest rock." And rightfully so. Out of Seattle and the rest of the northwest have come many prestigious alternative legends, as well as too many mishaps. Though the Presidents never caught on as well as I thought they should, this album, as with all the rest, is a true winner. The two live songs (Back Porch and Lump) are excellent. The only true hit on the CD is "Video Killed the Radio Star", but just about all others deserve to be. The range of sounds the group can get from only five strings and a drum set is astounding. And, as a nice feature to the CD, put it into the PC or Mac and you can see four of the band's music videos, or go online to find out more about the band. The break-up of the Presidents was a sad thing, but this CD is the ultimate way to go out in style!

The final episode of the P of USA album trilogy. This album's main hits were sensational cover versions of classic songs. Video Killed the Radio Star and Cleveland Rocks (as heard in the opening credits of the Drew Carey Show) are superb.

Original songs on here such as Japan and Love Delicatessen are pretty good too. There's also a few live songs on here as well which may be a real bonus if you never bought an singles or album versions with bonus live tracks. The P of USA were pretty good live.

If you can get the version of this album with the Extra Frosting bonus disc you'll get all the hits from their previous two albums so if you don't have them and only want to buy one album then this one is for you. If you do own those then the bonus disc doesn't have much to offer you except putting those all on one disc. This is still a great album to buy without Extra Frosting.

Awesome album, great rock 'n' roll !!!! The cover of "Video killed the radio star" is wonderful, I also loved "Mobile home", "Japan", "Sunshine", "Tremolo blooz" and "Cleveland rocks". The PUSA are a very talented band!!

Fede

THIS IS IT! With, in my opinion, their 3 best songs on 1 CD, this is the definite one to buy.

Cleveland Rocks, arguably one of their best, if not THE best, is here. Joining it are Video Killed the Radio Star and Lump (live). You really can't beat that.

While I love the Presidents for the sole fact that they are (were) unlike any band, some of their weaknesses seem evident on Pure Frosting. The best tunes are the new (or previously unreleased tracks) like upbeat "Japan" or "Teenage Girl". The self depreciating live songs are a nice touch... in "Back Porch" it sounds like a fan yells "Just shut up and play Peaches!", although that could just be me. Yet the album as a whole just doesn't have the completeness of II or even their self titled debut. Fans should give it a try, but don't go out and buy it just for their version of "Video Killed the Radiostar." They have so many better songs, just too bad there won't be any more.

This is a great rarities collection from the presidents.
b sides , live cuts , new songs and cd-rom material.
Favorite tracks are japan , slip away , teenage girl , love delicattssen & man (opposable thumb)
There's also a secret track after the live version of lump titled hot carl.