Has a Gambling Problem [EP]

The Movielife | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 13, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Drive-Thru
• ASIN: B00005RILR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,878 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pull out the pin and throw it back...., December 5, 2001

By 

"mmcgrathg" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Has a Gambling Problem (Audio CD)

"This Time Next Year" is perhaps my favorite emotinal-punk album of all time. It was a flawless album, in that every song was anything but: gritty yet heartfelt vocals, surging emotions, and crunchy, buzzing guitars. Unfortunately for the Movielife, "...Has a Gambling Problem" is both the follow up to "This Time Next Year" and their Drive Thru debut; both criteria for excellence in my mind. So with such high standards, did the Movielife choke?? Yes, and no...

All 5 songs are very catchy and crispy produced. Even the artwork is well above average. All the tracks with the exception "Up to Me" are at an easier pace than older material, but enjoyable none the less. One obvious departure though is emotion...Vinny sounds as if he could care less about the words he's singing. Many of the guitar parts have the same feel from song to song, with little variation. Although the lyrics retain their "broken-heart" motif, the aggression and thematic variation are both absent.

I would have to say that, despite disappointing expectations, "Has a Gambling Problem" is a little above average. The best song would probably have to be either "Walking on Glass" or "If Only Duct Tape Could Fix Everything." The worst song is "Hand Grenade," Drive Thru certainly hyped that one enough. Less "Hand Grenade," more "Single-White Female" (see "This Time Next Year").

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Movielife... Has Broken My Heart, November 14, 2001

By 

Geoff (Philly) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Has a Gambling Problem (Audio CD)

Many this EP is so terrifyingly average that I really want to give it away to the first person who wants it. The guitar work is exactly the same on every song, and they are all grindingly slow. I'm a big fan of bands experimenting, changing their sound, but this is not change; this is the reverse of progression. Has a Gambling Problem is one of the most uninspired recordings I've ever heard, and it breaks my very heart coming from a band that was so unique, so good, and so rocking. They still are in my opinion; I really think that Drive Thru forced this out of them, that they weren't really ready to write any new material. I'm still going to be at their shows, because I think that maybe they'll get back on their feet. Do not buy this. Buy "This Time Next Year" on revelation records. THAT is a great cd, one of my favorites. And keep cheering these guys on, they're still awesome!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best thing The Movielife has released to date, December 1, 2001

By 

Glassjaw Rocks (Woodland Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Has a Gambling Problem (Audio CD)

I love The Movielife. Bottom Line. Every one of their CDs are filled with heartfelt, catchy yet agressive pop-punk songs. The thing that sets this EP apart is now I can listen to The Movielife with a great recording! Finally! The songwriting on this EP has definitely progressed...and it does so perfectly. All five songs are amazing and I would go as far to say that these songs are the best the band has ever written. Buy this EP...it's so cheap so you can't go wrong. If you already like the Movielife, or if you like bands like The Ataris, New Found Glory, Blink 182, Glassjaw, Saves The Day, or any pop-punk or pop-punk-hardcore, BUY THIS!