Customer Reviews

In A Different Light

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ok, let me preface this by saying that I was VERY excited when I heard that Everclear had put out some new material. I want to point this out as it contributes to the review, because I was pretty disappointed.

The one thing I've always loved about Everclear is the ENERGY that they put into their music. Some of my all-time favorite songs are "Learn to Smile" and "When It All Goes Wrong Again" because it sounds like Art and the others are just pouring everything they have into the song. Even "slower" songs like "Wonderful" and "Santa Monica" still have a level of energy to them that I've always found unique to Everclear.

This album lacks that completely.

I mean, you know how some bands put out an album that is trying something different then their usual style, and it usually ends up being too "artsy" and basically gets ignored in the long run? (See: Metallica's St. Anger, Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother, anything by the Rolling Stones in the 90s)

This is that album for Everclear. In trying to do something different, Art gets too far from what made Everclear what they were. A lot of the songs it almost sounds like Art is just speaking the lyrics, and a few of them even sound a little off beat to me. I mean, it really went from this music that was loud and fun and in your face, to something that sounds like what you hear at an open mic night with a bunch of beatnik poets who snap their fingers because they're too cool to clap.

Is it terrible? No. Art still has a unique voice, and you can tell that everyone involved with the project is talented. But it does seem a little forced, and that just makes it bad.

I've been a huge everclear fan for a long time - since their second album, Sparkle and Fade. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with this album. None of the remastered songs are "better" than the original versions. They're all slower, more produced, and sappier. I didn't think it was possible for everclear to screw up a song like Summerland, but they found a way. I miss Everclear when it was guitar, bass, and drums.

I've grown tired of the bubblegum pop music everclear has put out as of late. They came onto the music scene with some heavy punk rock riffs and catchy rock tunes. If you are a fan of the old school everclear, especially World of Noise and Sparkle and Fade, don't even listen to this album. It's depressing.

I think you have to go into this album with an open-mind. If you like Everclear's stuff before this - Great, awesome. If you don't - that's alright, too. I think you have to take this album as a solo album, nothing before it, all original songs. Because, really, they are all kind of original. If you go into this just looking for purely rerecorded, no changes, no add-ons, no variation; then buy or download the old albums and stop complaining. If you want to hear something new, a different twist, or Everclear classics in a different light; then get this album.

I grew up with songs like Summertime, Wonderful, and Santa Monica. I have to admit, listening to Santa Monica, not knowing that this album was rerecorded or anything like that; I wasn't that pleased. But after seeing that it's a completely new take; I thought it was a pretty killer aspect to old songs I grew up with. For example, Wonderful - damn, this song's been one of my favourites of all-time since I can remember. And this rerecorded one on In A Different Light; I absolutely loved it. I thought it was so wonderful (no pun intended), that I sent a copy to a bunch of people I grew up with and listened to this song with.


But really, you may not like the twists and turns of the NEW songs (they are new, in all reality), but that doesn't make it a bad album. Everclear's doing something different. I mean, look how many times Beck and Thrice have come out with albums COMPLETELY different from the previous. It's something different and new. And you can't be so close-minded going into it. You have to be open to some kind of change. If it's not your cup of tea, that doesn't make it a horrible one.


All-in-all, it's a more-than decent album. New sound, same lyrics. I think that's a very brave, and good thing.

Great new album. The new takes on the classic hits really do help you see them in a different light. Love the new versions and the new songs. Definitely add this to your Everclear collection!

Re records of the old hits are very cool but the 2 new ones 'At The end Of The Day' and 'Here Comes The Darkness' are worth the price alone. Welcome back Art - now get out there on tour!

Thought this was a cool idea. There are a few tracks that didn't quite make a good transition, but I thought the majority of the CD was great. I liked some of the tracks on this album more than the originals.

Art Alexakis is a POWERFUL and MASTERFUL Songwriter who conveys emotional and intellectual perspectives and insights in each of these songs. These renditions enable me to hear 'how' he 'means' what he is expressing. I, personally, rate his songwriting ability right up there in the league with John Lennon, Paul McCartney (during the Beatle Era); Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Tony Joe White (and Willie Nelson during the Late '70's and 1980's). I sincerely hope that he and his group of excellent musicians will 'Revisit' and 'recreate' more renditions, from their already superb catalog of previously recorded songs. Best Wishes and Keep on Going, Art! There will always be a 'Place in the Sun,' for Noteworthy Works such as THIS! ( Album Appraised: In A Different Light )

I found "In a Different Light" to be true to it's name. As the title suggests the songs are different from their previous versions, and how boring it would be just to do the same thing, again! We already have those CDs! I applaud their change-up, and thought the songs were polished in a good way and jammin' at the same time. Try the samples and see for yourself. Peace!

Before everyone says that Everclear soldout and have gotten stale I will say that they are different from when they were in 1994 and they always will be! With that said this cd was made for one reason, Art Alexakis needs money. I will review each song. Everything to Everyone- This is one of the best songs on the album. It has a more tight and pop rock sound but it impressed me. Wonderful- Probably a song most people will find themselves loving or hating. It was an okay song in 2000 and it is okay now. At The End Of The Day- this is a very different song but I really enjoyed it. It almost borders gospel rock but keeps a very tight and happy feeling. Santa Monica- I think this song has been changed a little but could have had a little more creativity thrown into it. Summerland- This a great Everclear song for the people who like them heavy and soft. It takes a heavy song and adds some pop appeal. Here Comes The Darkness- The problem with this song isn't that it is bad or that it wansn't heavy enough. It was just too boring. Father of Mine- This song really speaks to me and many others but seems like it was just put into the album for the sake of aving it.
Fire Maple Song- I believe that if you have a song that everyone likes don't change it. This song was good but it was not as good as the 1994 original.
Rock Star- This is one of my favorite songs on the album and they took a good hit and made it better. Learning How To Smile- if you like pop you will love it, if you like rock you will hate it.
I Will Buy You A New Life- This song is pretty much the 1997 version with more organ. Overall if you like Everclear albums like Slow Motion Day Dream and Songs from an American Movie vol. 2 you will like this. If you like albums like Sparkle & Fade and World of Noise then you will not like this album.

I'm one of those Everclear fans that purchases their cd without much thought - art writes great songs like a pastry chef bakes cupcakes. After hearing the new songs on this album it is clear that he still has it. Most striking is the sound of the re-recorded hits. There are new instrumentations done here and art doesn't sound quite as angry as he did 10 years ago.

Highlights: at the end of the day, santa Monica, learning how to smile