Customer Reviews

Letters

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

He rocked with the Marvelous 3 in the late 90s, took off solo in 2002 with "Left Of Self Centered" and is back with a vengance in 2004. Butch Walker's "Letters" is the best disc this year... and sadly many folk will never hear it unless the search high and low.

This latest effort shows off all Butch's skills. Singing, songwriting, producing, arranging, etc. His last solo effort was more an extension of M3 -- while "Letters" is a complete departure that sounds more Jeff Buckley at times than rock and roll superstar. Of course all with clever sense of humor, a ton of passion, incredible range and mad guitar skills.

1. Sunny Day Real Estate - A quick intro to set the vibe and kick the CD off.

2. Maybe It's Just Me - A classic. Was on the "Heartwork" EP released a few months back. Touching lyrics, killer recording, good use of the keys and an all around winner.

3. Mixtape - The single that will sadly go unnoticed since MTV and modern radio are looking for the next HoobaBizkitPuddleOfNickelback instead of a solid singer/songwriter. SHOULD be a hit, but won't. Appreciate this one. Classic tune - though nowhere near the CD's best.

4. #1 Summer Jam - Haven't beaten this one up enough yet. Most others here I have seen performed live or have a bootleg of. Not this tune. Can't really elaborate yet, but I like what I hear.

5. So At Last - Living in Southern California, I can appreciate where this some came from. Could be an absolute anthem to sum up a memorable time period.

6. Uncomfortably Numb - A quick little rocker and a change of pace after five laid back tunes. Cool recording of the vocals and use of the keys. A definite new wave, power pop rock tune.

7. Joan - A beautiful ballad that showcases homeboy's piano skills. Somber and sounds like there is some truth behind the touching lyrics. String section sets the mood. Nice tune.

8. Don't Move - One of my faves. Rememeber being very moved when Butch played an acoustic version of it this past summer on tour. The recording is even better. Great dynamics. When the chorus kicks in, you'll sing along like you wrote it -- and it will instinctively remind you of someone who crossed you life's path at some point. Great song top to bottom. Solid texture and instrumentation.

9. Lights Out - Another fun rocker that pokes fun at "the scene" of LA and all that garbage people pay way too much to read weekly in US Magazine. B-Diddy's sense of humor is still going full speed.

10. Best Thing You Never Had - Another one I saw live a few times this summer and was floored by. The title alone makes it a classic since that is something everyone, everywhere has uttered to someone at a point in their life. Vocal range really shows in this one and it is all about the emotion.

11. Race Cars And Goth Rock - Craftiest lyrics Butch has come up with since "Suburbia" off his last disc. When played live, it had more of a Queen vibe that isn't really captured on the disk here. Hearing it with just vocals/guitar was one thing -- lots of instrumentation here and a trippy recording. Love both versions - but not used to this one yet.

12. Promise - Haven't heard this one enough yet. Definitely somber and mood altering. Like the sound of the acoustic guitar a just the voice. Lines about dad giving him the first beer and holding his head when he puked keep the listener from getting too down and just appreciating the vibe the tune creates.

13a. Thank You Note - Doesn't do much for me at this point of the game. Sounds nice, but a little somber. Back to back, slow ballads are sort of a downer. Would've rather seen "My Best Friend's Magic Girlfriend" or "Last Flight Out" here (both on "Heartwork" EP) -- or even "All Falls Apart."

13b. Stateline - Butch saved himself here. Just when I was about to curse him for leaving "Stateline" off this disc, it kicks in at 3:38 of track #13. A favorite I have seen him do live, I was sick that it was neither on the EP or LP. Hearing it as a bonus track proved to be the highlight of the CD.

If you know Butch, you'll appreciate this disc. A 180 from "Left Of Self Centered" but very touching and the next logical step in his musical journey. If you don't know Butch - get in the game already. He is the best name in rock and roll that you've never heard of....

You will note that I do not normally write alot of reviews. I have enjoyed BW for some time (back to Marvie 3) and finally got tyhe cance to see him live in Chicago. Even though the band was tired (end of tour shows) BW carried them throughout the night...phenominal! On to the album. I own over 4000 cd's (not bragging, just the truth) and this has to be in my top 5 ot 10 of all time. Yes, I enjoy power pop (Cheap Trick, Squier, Journey, Boston, ect) and metal and classic rock and jazz and blues and, gulp...even some country (very little). BW does what very few artist can do nowadays, it is obvious that he has similar musical taste an yet has the ability to fuse these interests into music through great songwriting, great production, and top muscicianship...mucianship...the guy can flat out play music. Many other have gone through song by song breakdowns of this album so I will not bother other than to say if you love "music" you will find something to love on this album and it will grow on you, give it a chance, you will not be dissappointed. He also has a DVD out on sony music that is incredible, check it out!

I can't say enough good things about Butch and Marvelous 3. This album is amazing but so is all the others. This one is a bit more mellow compared to any of the others, but Butch still does a outstanding job of delivering kick ass rock on a golden platter. If you get a chance to see him live, i highly recommened it, since listening to him on cd does him no justice what so ever. The vocal range on this man will knock your socks off. Plus, he delivers a kick ass stage performance that so many other bands lack these days. Butch is the ulimate rock star!!

I've seen Butch in concert several times, and he is one of the most charismatic performers I've ever seen. His music is amazing, his stage show is exhausting to watch, and he's genuinely a really nice guy. Definitely a CD that everyone should have!

This cd is a must have for any Butch Walker/ Marvelous 3 fan!! "Letters" is Butch's best work yet. Every song is great. His music is very honest.When Butch sings, you believe every word he sings. His emotion is moving. This is one of my favorite cds. You will not regret buying this cd. My favorite tracks are "Mixtape", "Don't Move", "Best Thing You Never Had", and "Promise". I also recommend that you visit his website www.butchwalker.com.

If anyone ever needed more proof that Butch Walker is the best songwriter in music today they should RUN (not walk) to the store and buy this c.d..It is utterly amazing at how he showcases so much variety in his music,I have been a huge fan of his since the first Marvelous 3 album math and other problems,(My fav song on that album was Pizza and wine) and I also got Hey Album and Readysexgo and also his solo left of of self centered and now Letters. These albums will never leave my stereo!! Letters is an AMAZING album,It would be impossible to pic a fav song but Butch really touches emotions with the song "Joan",It just sends a chill through me.Don't move and mixed tape are great as well.I could go on and on about this album but instead Just quit reading this and go out and buy it,You won't be sorry.

Just got Letters in the mail yesterday so I have only had a chance to listen to it twice. However I can say that I am very impressed with how Butch is maturing as a songwriter. The majority of the songs are laid back however there are a few rockers thrown in. The previous reviewer did a good job with the track descriptions.

I hear some Nick Drake on a few of the songs and maybe a slight 70's nod with the keys. Nothing like Kravitz though. You can tell that a lot of these songs are personal stories.

Its unfortunate that the masses will not hear this album because it is better than 99.9% of what is out there. Hopefully one of the bands he has produced will give a shout out to him (Avril???) which can generate some free pub.

In my opinion, this is the best album that I have bought in several years

this CD...WOW..I saw Butch open for Avril Lavigne on her Bonez tour on November 19th 2004. I was AMAZINGLY impressed. His vocals, his guitar playing, both amazing. His songs?AMAZINGLY catchy!The next day I bought the CD, and have listened to it ever since. It's amazing that such a talented artist, with an amazing CD, can not be popular. Butch is so talented, and this is just an amazing CD. I reccomend it to any rock or pop fans.

My favorite songs=
Lights Out
So At Last
Uncomfortably Numb
Don't Move
Mixtape
Thank You Note


All the songs are amazing..truly just amazing.The CD ends with Thank You Note, which is one of the saddest songs I have ever heard, yet it is so beautiful that I love it. There is a secret track also, at the end of Thank You Note. On the CD is also the videos for Mixtape and Don't Move. Buy this CD now, if you want a quality CD that you will love.

Butch has always been great. Everything the guy touches turns out incredible. This album is not at all the tongue-in-cheek, sassy power-pop stuff he cranked out with Marvelous 3 or on his "Left of Self Centered" album. He's switched up his style to include songs completely on piano ("Joan" - great storytelling on this one...still gives me chills at the end) and super mellow grooves ("So At Last"). He does still have the jaded ballad ("Best Thing That You Never Had") market cornered. A lot of the album is acoustic, with a few electric numbers. Butch is still the master of melody, with some great low harmonies on here. Favorite songs on this cd are "Mixtape," "#1 Summer Jam," "So At Last," "Don't Move" and "Stateline" (Stateline is the hidden track...again, great storytelling). Butch walker is THE MAN, and you want to get this album.

I must admit, I was (at first) a little disappointed with this album. As a diehard Marvelous 3/Butch Walker fan, I was initially a bit shocked with the softer touch Butch employees on this CD. I grew to like it (heck, even love it) after a few listenings, but I still feel it's weaker than Left of Self-Centered, Butch's solo debut. It isn't quite as varied--all of the songs definitely have the roughly the same "feel" to them. However, it is a very nice album. Mixtape is, in my opinion, Butch's greatest song as a solo artist, and it alone is worth the price of the disc.