Customer Reviews

Last Wave Rockers

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of my favorite CDs ever. If you like Op Ivy, Rancid, Sublime, or any ska/punk ull LOVE this CD! get his then get "This is Unity Music"

This is a great branch off of Op Ivy, its got awesome punk and ska tracks!

1. Classics of Love - 10/10
2. Castaways - 10/10
3. Signal Signal - 8/10
4. Carry On - 10/10
5. Rise or Fall - 7/10
6. True Rulers - 10/10
7. Conscience Burning - 10/10
8. On Broadway - 9/10
9. Heatseekers - 9/10
10. A Place Where We Can Stay - 7/10
11. Walk Down The River - 8/10
12. Rough Redemption - 10/10
13. Deep Spring - 10/10
14. Angels At Play - 9/10
15. Dixie Roadrash [Hidden Track] - 10/10

My very favorites: Classics of Love, Carry On, True Rulers, Castaways, but wow they are all so good...

Jesse Michael is a genius

"Operation Ivy" is the best American lp of theeighties, but up until now I chalked that up to Tim Armstrong and MattFreeman, because Rancid was the best American band of the 90's. Out of curiosity, I picked up "Common Rider," just to see how/what Jesse was doing (I heard he was a buddhist monk or something). Well, I was shocked by just how catchy, hooky, intelligent, powerful and downright fantastic this cd is. It's funny that everyone is saying that this isn't like "Operation Ivy." The sound is exactly what I was expecting/hoping for. I mean, yeah, the bloke isn't 19 anymore, he's not going to blast out 2 minute desperate, nihilistic diatribes condemning society and calling for an end to violence. Now, like most of us, he is inspired and affected most by his interpersonal relationships. And I love hearing every word of it. The pace of the songs is slower, not surprisingly, and the music is even more stripped down than "Operation Ivy's" believe it or not. The bass is much more raggaeish than Matt Freeman's and the guitar parts are simpler. In conclusion, AMAZING album. It surpassed my wildest expectations.

Even though I have yet to buy any of their CD's, I consider myself a fan of Common Rider. I saw these guys live on the Plea For Peace Tour in St. Louis on Friday, September 27, 2002. They simply rocked the place. I even got Jesse Michaels (former lyricist/lead vocals of Operation Ivy) to sign my Operation Ivy shirt after their set. After seeing them live, I would highly reccomend any of their stuff to anyone; especially to those of you who are just getting into punk/ska/raggae. They have all influences in them. My rating is based on their live performance.

The true test of any band when they release a record is the replay value. Sure, a band might release two, maybe three singles on the radio, but when you get the record home and pop it in, blatently, the rest sucks. Common Rider conquers this obstacle, despite having no air play, and constructs an album that can be listened to strait through, over and over.

Most people who pick this record up will probably hope to hear the political sneer of Jesse Michaels, formerly of Operation Ivy. This isn't so, and maybe two of the songs off Last Wave Rockers contain the angst of Operation Ivy. Instead, Common Rider creates a more melodic, simplistic, Reggae sound, dealing with simple, common issues about love.

Does this mean Operation Ivy fans will be turned off by this record? Not unless you havn't got taste in music. The albums great, and hopefully they'll record a new album soon.

Hey I loved this cd! Intelligent, capable songwriting. Delightful thrown-together yet professional, precise sound. Worth every penny, I hope to see more.

Everyone needs to stop giving bad reviews to Common Rider just because they aren't Op Ivy. I agree that Op Ivy is one of the greatest and most influential bands of all time, but Common Rider is just as good, if not better. If you have an open mind to music, and would like to hear something different, check out Common Rider. Everyone has to grow up sometime, and Common Rider is what Op Ivy grew up to be. Check out Carry On and Classics of Love, they'll brighten your day, even if your dog just died. Also check out they're new CD "This is Unity Music". Peace and Love.

I think that Common Riders "Last Wave Rockers" is a great cd. I am a huge fan of Operation Ivy and Jesse Michaels. But if you only like the sounds of Operation Ivy and bands like that than this cd is not for you. It is a far cry from Jesse's days in Op Ivy but I enjoyed the cd very much. The lyrics are heartfelt and the music is diverse. It doesn't have as much of a hard edge to it, which is good when I am in different moods. I highly recommend it to diverse listeners.

this cd is great.common rider is great.this cd is more punk and ska than this is unity music but there both good. this cd has some great tracks like radio waves,concious burning,a place where we can stay. This is good for just sitting around the house on a hot summer day drinking lemonade. its very mellow.get this cd and then get this is unity music.join my common rider forum too commonrider.iboardplus.com

This is an amazing album, completely different from Jesse's OpIvy days. With every new album, he always manages to put out something new and completely original from anything else. If you like J-Mikes, look for the OpIvy "Energy" album, and the LP's that no one seems to have. Check out the latest, "This Is Unity Music" as well.

jesse michaels has struck gold once again. i wasnt sure what to expect from this album. jesse had been more or less gone from any music scene for ten years, but he has proven himself again. last wave rockers is a smooth blend of simple edgy guitar riffs, solid reggea bass lines and an energetic percussion section. the lyrics are very real and flowing. the album also includes a few songs with a saxophone and an organ to round out the smooth mellow sound. the songs range from 50's rock'n'roll to punk and reggea in only a way that jesse, dan, and mass could create. if you have a chance, definately add this cd to your cllection, it is worht it!