Customer Reviews

Left of Self-Centered

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Butch Walker has done is all. A veteran of the industry who is still yet to get the respect he deserves. His Southgang efforts were quickly squashed by grunge even though the gang's music was better than anything being released.

From 1996 through 2001 is was Marvelous 3 who should've burned their way up the chart, but didn't. Hey! Album and Ready, Sex, Go were two of the best power, pop rock CDs of the decade. Still, no love for Butch and the boys.

Enter a label dispute, a new contract with Arista and a solo career was launched.

Left Of Self Centered brings it from start to finish. A little bit of satire comes in the form of "Rock Vocal Power" where Butch takes a shot or two at the industry that shunned him. A moment later a 2x4 in the form of "My Way" smacks the listener upside the head.

To me, every track on the CD is a bright spot -- but for the average listener, make a point to appreciate "Suburbia," "Sober," "Into The Black," "San Fernando Sexx Star" and "If."

This CD is a must have. The kind that you can listen to start to finish. They type to throw in at a party and stick on "repeat."

If you think the CD is all that, just wait until you see Butch live. I won't even waste time trying to describe. Get out there and show Mr. Walker the respect he deserves!

Hi,

I don't usually write reviews but as Butch is still relatively unknown to the masses, I thought it couldn't hurt.

I was a Marvelous 3 fan and was surprised and dissapointed when they broke up without reaching their potential.

When I picked up 'Left of Self Centered', I wasnt sure what to expect. Would it follow the same M3 formula or would it be something entirely different. It's safe to say that it's a bit of both and blows the M3 Cds away. Clever lyrics, great melodies and nice production. The songwriting is far more mature and less generic than what he did with M3. If you're someone who just wants a good rock CD by a great talent than look no further. Every song could have been a single and it's unfortuante that it didnt get more notice. Songs like Into the Black and Get Down have great intensity and emotion that's hard to find these days. Alicia Amnesia and Diary of a San Fernando Sexx star are great examples of fun, sing out loud anthems. The real treasures of 'Left of Self Centered' come from the ballads, If and Take Tommorow. The dynamics of these songs are great and trully beautiful.

In one word I would describe 'Left of Self Centered' as fun. I can't recommend it enough.

Without a doubt, Butch Walker is one of the most talented people in the music industry. For those who aren't familiar with Butch's work, he was the lead singer and guitarist in the Atlanta-based rock band The Marvelous 3, who released three excellent albums before calling it a day last August. With "Left of Self Center," Butch adds a new dimension to the unique style of the Marvelous 3. Some of the songs take on a more serious tone than I'm used to from Butch, while others are a throwback to the glory days of M3. If you got what the Marvelous 3 were all about, then you'll likely enjoy this CD. It's a little bit different, but not so much that it would alienate Butch's long-time fans. Every track is outstanding, from start to finish, much like all of Butch's work. He's not the type of artist who's going to try to sell you a CD full of filler, hidden behind a made-for-radio first single. ... This is likely the best album of the year as far as I'm concerned. Of course, I have to mention that you haven't experienced a real rock show until you've seen him play live, so check him out when he comes to your town.

I originally learned about Butch Walker and Marvelous 3 through Metal Sludge. I read about all the hype surrounding him and wondered what it was about, so I decided to buy this album. Wow, was I blown away! I listened through the entire CD three times in a row. He is a spectacular songwriter, and an even better producer. There is an abundance of humor on the album, as shown by "Rock Vocal Power" and the bonus tracks. Otherwise, "Sober" and "If (Jeannie's Song)" were touching, and "My Way", "Alicia Amnesia", "Get Down", and "Into The Black" (with Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue on bass!) are great, upbeat rock songs. Butch Walker is an extremely underrated artist, and I hope he gets the respect he deserves for making such great music. I bought his music to see what the hype is about, and now I am a huge fan.

Yeaheah! if you haven't heard this guy, you just have NO IDEA! You'll be rockin out to this record everywhere you go, at least that's what I do...
It mixes up old skool rock and catchy rifts with messages that hit hard.. but it's all with a smirk, nothing too depressing. Not for Mr. Walker. You'll find yourself jammin to a song about the hometown pornstar or the one about drug problems. My fave track is Suburbia bc you start rockin to the music and then later figure out that the song is kinda serious. Rock on Butch! He is the most incredible artist/performer EVER!! THis record is SO worth more than 5 stars!

Ok kiddies, grab your white goody comb, Jordace jeans and hop in your Iroc Z and blast this CD at top volume! Butch Walker's solo debut is an awesome blend of 80s influences with his own personal, toungue-in-cheek- songwriting. I highly recommend this CD to ANYONE that loves ROCK...REAL RAWK..(not that "I-hate-my-daddy" B.S. thats so popular today [gag me with a spoon]) The first single, "My Way" is one of those rock anthems that gets stuck in your head and you can't help but sing it. "Suburbia" is another great song with an addictive riff. Check out Butch Walker...hopefully, EVERYONE will know him soon!

i love this album, butch walker is a genuis! treat yourself to a suprise and buy this album, you'll be pleasently suprised! My favorites songs on the album are my way and suburbia, but the whole album is kick-ass.

The waiting is over! At least for those of you who like "power pop" in the same vien as Jellyfish or Cheap Trick. This is a record you feel forced to listen to. You do it once through and think "Hey, I could get to like that", and before you know it you're humming these tunes while you load the dishwasher. I had these great hooks running through my head, and I didn't even know what I was singing! I had barely heard the record twice through and was already tapping my feet to the infectious melodies. The great thing about having these songs infect your head, as opposed to any Culture Club song, is because of the fact they're both well written and well performed. Quality musicianship, and inventive lyrical content and arrangement make almost all these songs direct hits.
The former frontman for the power pop trio Marvelous 3, he goes solo here and doesn't miss a beat. The songs he did with his former band were equally astounding as the set dished up here. I was a bit concerned when initially hearing of a solo effort, wondering if the style of the material would resemble the Marvelous 3 style of high energy, attitude driven power pop. Lo and behold, we have the same formula that was used with such great success on the Marvelous 3 records. A high energy, powerful, attitude-riddled, catchy rock/pop record that sounds so fresh in today's market of the dark alternative abyss.
Right from the beginning we get attitude. With Walker spending 1:57 ranting in infomercial style about Rock Vocal Power, an imaginary product that will "teach you to sing like the pros." The track ends up slamming trendy vocal stylings, and some of today's artists such as Korn and Kid Rock. He does it with such great humor that he ends the track by saying "you'll never have to sound like this guy again" and immediately goes to the anthemic chant of the second track "My Way". This is one of those records where I really find it hard to figure out how or why someone wouldn't enjoy this effort. It's a really fun record
to listen to, much reminiscent of Cheap Trick's classic "In Color" release. Another great thing about this record, and one of many reasons it sounds fresh, is that you can't really categorize it. I say power pop, and I know a lot of you are thinking Green Day. NO. NO. NO. This is a record closer to the Beatles than it is to Green Day. When I say Cheap Trick, this is a pretty similar sound. Walker incorporates much more attitude and a bit more lyrical humor into his writing, though. But, the fact that you can't specifically categorize this record is also what's keeping it from getting major promotion. Everybody must fit in a box today. NO GOING OUTSIDE THE BOX. Well,...Butch gives this notion the big bird in the middle of his hand and keeps doing his own thing. And God bless him for it. With songs like "My Way", "Suburbia", and "Into The Black" (which has Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue on bass), you get lots of attitude with fun, sing-along melodies...proving that you can sound tough or angry without being a metal band. These songs, most of them anyway, are aggressive tunes but happy and fun at the same time. This is a very difficult potion to mix, but it seems that Butch Walker is a true chemist.
My advice to you, fair listener, is to roll this disc straight through two or three times, and then try to walk away. If you have no trouble walking away from this record, let me know, and I'll try to find some help for you. Make sure you check this one out.

OVERALL RATING: 8 (1-10 scale)
For more Dr. Music reviews, visit www.new-sounds.com/DrMusic

I was skeptical at first, when I listened to this album. The catchy tunes and power ballads seemed played out, but I realize now that Butch is utterly unique, never takes himself too seriously, and is one of the best vocalists I have ever heard (live or studio)

This album "Left of Self-Centered" still retains the energy and emotion that Butch's earlier work with the Marvelous 3 encapsulated. His recent tour (which simply consisted of Butch, an acoustic guitar, and a piano -- mixed with dedicated fans crammed into small, intimate venues) shows the evolution of Butch's music and talent. He is an amazing song writer -- who writes such utterly personal lyrics, whether comical or heart-breaking, that you cannot helped being moved. Again, I obviously did not take away all of this after my first listen. Butch is an experience. Fun, emotional, and always entertaining -- vocally and lyrically.

Lastly, his next album is due out soon -- and it will be vastly different. Although still essential Butch, the new album "Letters" will probably show a new creative side of this artist. If you enjoyed "Left of Self Centered", I would recommend "Hey!Album" by the Marvelous 3 (Butch Walker is the lead singer/guitarist in this band) If you didnt really appreciate the over-produced, power rock sound of "Left" but felt Butch was entertaining or vocally talented -- you should give "Letters" a try when it comes out. I am sure it won't disappoint.

Sorry it took so long to leave some feedback.This album showcases Butch Walkers talent of playing instruments, songwriting and singing.I started off listening to him back in 1996 and with time he keeps getting better and better.The album has it's rocking moments and melodic moments as well.The whole album top to bottom is wonderful.If you need convincing of what this album is about.Scroll down and preview Sober and Jeannie's Song you'll buy it.Will be one of your best investments and will become a family heirloom.