Customer Reviews

Lonelyland

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well, The CD hasn't made it out to the world quite yet, but it has been out for awhile here in Austin, TX! I have been going to see Bob Schneider's act for just about the past three years. He is an amazing singer/songwriter with a great supporting cast of Stephen Bruton, Bruce Hughes, Danny Levin, Michael Longoria, and David Boyle. Every track on the "Lonelyland" CD flows wonderfully together, with a blues, rock, bluegrass tune. This is a must have for any music lover, I highly recommend it.

I first got introduced to Bob Schneider's music about a year ago. A few of the songs like "Big Blue Sea" and "Metal and Steel" were frequently played on the radio. These got me interested in hearing the rest of the album and I've never looked back since. This album is the real deal showcasing Bob Schneider's varied musical talents with catchy lyrics and sincere emotion. Everyone will find something to like, probably to love, about Lonelyland. "Tokyo" speaks to the frustrated, twisted way we all feel amid personal crisis (this is where the explicit lyrics come in) while "The World Exploded into Love" takes us to a higher level of awareness with it's intensity. Having seen Bob perform live, I can honestly say he's put his heart into this CD, just like he does on stage, and it clearly shows. Since nothing's perfect, I can't give this CD a 5, but it's the closest I've seen in a long while. Austin's got yet another reason to be proud.

Some may claim that the Austin music scene is on the wane, but you'd never guess it from this new release by a current favorite son.

The styles range from the laid-back folk of Metal and Steel to the harder Jingy to the almost Tom Waits-ish Blue Skies for Everyone, with other styles and moods mixed in. Schneider has a good voice, and he knows how to use it, along with great instrumentation and production that support the moods and don't bury the songs.

This is an album that rewards repeated listenings. You get the feeling that the editorial reviewer for this album listened only once, if that, and not very attentively. There is no opera singer on World Exploded into Love, it's on Round and Round (and as far as I know, his mother wasn't an opera singer: His girlfriend Sandra Bullock's mother is, and that's her on the song).

Give the samples a try, they show the range of this album. Shame that the definitely-not-sub-Barenaked Ladies gem Round and Round isn't available for preview... you'll just have to buy the album to fall in love with that one.

Bob Schneider was named Musician of the Year during the 20TH annual Austin Music Awards last week. The awards took place at Austin's Town Hall and served to kick off the week-long South By Southwest Music & Media Conference (SXSW), the music industry's most prestigious gathering.

Schneider, whose debut album Lonelyland was released on March 13 to critical acclaim, swept the coveted Awards ceremony for the second year in a row, accruing wins in ten top categories - the most ever won by a single artist in the 20 year history of the event.

In addition to Musician of the Year, Schneider won awards for:

Album of the Year (Lonelyland) Best Singer-Songwriter Best Male Vocalist Best Songwriter Best Funk Band (The Scabs) Best Concert Poster (The Scabs, Antone's by Bob Schneider) Best Cover Art (Lonelyland) Best Keyboard Player (David Boyle, The Scabs) Best Horn Players (Grooveline Horns, The Scabs)

A consummate performer and songwriter, Schneider has long been a fixture on the burgeoning Austin music scene. Originally self-releasing Lonelyland last year, the CD quickly climbed the Texas music charts, even outselling first-week releases from Limp Bizkit, The Wallflowers, Eminem, and Lyle Lovett. On the strength of Lonelyland and his many SRO live shows, Schneider kicked off SXSW 2000 with a sweep of the Austin Music Awards, taking home trophies for Musician Of The Year, Band Of The Year, Best Male Vocals, Songwriter Of The Year, and Best Funk Band.

I've been going to Lonleyland shows weekly for over a year now. I would HIGHLY reccommend this album to anyone who loves great music, and great song-writing. From the first track on, you're in for a treat.

A must have in your CD collection.

It was one fateful night, I was flipping through the channels when I came across austin city limits. normally, I would flip right past, but those impossibly beautiful brown eyes made me pause, and it was that amazing voice and his dance moves during "tarantula" (pity it's not on the album) that got me hooked. I have been a devoted bob schneider fan ever since. Since then I have had the pleasure to convert many of my friends, and see his amazing live performance at summerfest this past year, he walked on the stage to polite, if disinterested applause. But by the end of the night everyone was on their feet, and several girls were asking me, "who IS that guy?!!" I also had the pleasure of meeting Bob that night, and he is genuinely nice and interested in his fans. Now my review of the CD. I can only do it properly song by song, so here goes;

Metal and Steel: not my favorite, but shows off his softer side and his wonderful songwriting abilities.

Big Blue Sea: my favorite on the album. this is the song that's going to make him famous. nsync and backstreet better watch out, once this video gets on trl, there's no looking back.

Jingy: this song was amazing live, very funny. but that dang guy yelling in the back is just too distracting. really praying he comes out with an acoustic version or something.

Bullets: second favorite song. very sexy, awesome beat. this is the song I use to convert people with, and they fall for it every time.

World Exploded Into Love: slow, pretty, nice to fall asleep to.

Round and Round: would be a good song if it weren't for all the uneeded extra vocals, I'm talking to YOU Mrs. bullock!

Moon Song: this song makes me want to go on vacation to mexico and drink margaritas.

Madeline: once again, this man's voice is too sexy for his own good. I'll save him from himself anytime.

Tokyo: the most "radio-friendly-alternative" of all the songs. good to sing along to.

Under My Skin: dark, moody, but not one of my favs

Blue Skies for Everyone: this song is equivalent to "halloween" by the DMB, in the creepy-but still unbelievable vibe.

Better: nice falling-in-love song

2002: THIS IS THE BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM!!!!! written as a letter to an ex-girlfriend, this is the funniest, most simplistic, and poignant song on the album, you won't be able to forget it, and performed live it makes you laugh and breaks your heart.

Oklahoma: very fun song, definetly has the whole "austin" sound everyone is talking about. good closer for the CD

Bob is an incredible artist who is absolutely impossible to pigeon-hole. I was shocked when I found out this carried an "explicit lyric" warning, whatever obscenities are in the songs, they are there for a reason, unlike most rap albums out there, it's not for shock value. Lonelyland is a wonderful album I never get tired of listening to, even if on some of the songs there is too much of a good thing. Also, props to his amazing band, all very talented and funny guys. also, try and get your hands on his other songs "tarantula" "wish" and his very cool version of "If I only had a brain."

So in the end, buy this cd! you won't regret it. I hope one day Bob will receive the recognition and fame he so richly deserves.

love,
a fan from milwaukee

I admit it: I'm a BIG Bob Schneider fan. I go to see his live shows whenever I can and I'm always amazed at the rate he turns out great new songs. He could release a new album every month at the rate he writes songs.

"Lonelyland" is a collection of his more "grownup" songs. His previous band, "The Scabs", is a high-energy, in-your-face, foul-lyrics-cause-we-love-it group that is, well, a ton of fun to see and hear (there is a "Scabs" show once every few months, still). "Lonelyland", however, is where you seem to get "Bob the person" instead of "Bob the showman". If you saw Bob perform on "Austin City Limits" or on "The Tonight Show" then you saw his "Lonelyland" persona. Not quite every track on this disc is a keeper, but almost all of them are. Bob's music has made it onto movie soundtracks including "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "Gun Shy". I've bought many copies of this disc for myself, family and friends. I've listened to this album more times than any other single album (since I started buying albums back in 1981) and I still enjoy it to no end. Perhaps seeing Bob perform live is a prerequisite to truly enjoying his music but I think the album stands on it's own. Bob's "Lonelyland" group now performs with only 4 people (including Bob) and is always a great show to catch. Highly recommended!

I have been a fan and follower of Bob Schneiders music since I moved to Austin, Texas in 1992. He writes songs that are fun to listen to as well as appreciate. His writing style is so diverse that it almost sounds as if you've changed your CD from one artist to another while listening to his work. If you are a fan of music written because the perosn behind the lyrics loves what he does then buy this CD and wear it out. And if you are lucky enough to see his show live, do so. What he holds back on the CD he releases ten-fold in person. Bob, keep up the good work!!! A fan from Texas stuck in California

I was introduced to Bob Schneider by my brother a couple of years ago and haven't forgiven him since. Every time a CD comes out, I have to get it and listen to it endlessly. This CD is fantastic. From the upbeat "Metal & Steel", the funky "Bullets" or the introspective "2002", there's a song on this CD for every mood. For those that enjoy clever lyrics with unique, catchy melodies, this is a must have.

I discovered Bob Schneider from the movie Gun Shy and had to go out and find his CD. That was about 2 months before this CD has finally been released nationaly. This is an incredible CD that offers some great music. Bob Schneider sounds like a more progressive (and a little less country) John Hiat. I would rank him up with Kevin Gilbert and Jeff Buckley as one of the most under rated artist right now. Althought I am certain in Bob Schneiders case, he will become more popular. This CD is worth a listen. And when you do listen, you will want to own it.

Bob Schneider has other music out there, so keep a look for those as well. They are all great.

... This is a fantastic CD. I live in Austin and had "early access" to it compared to the rest of the country. I could listen to it over and over again, and this CD doesn't do justice to their live shows here. My favorites are the aforementioned "World Goes Round" and "King of the World" (a bonus track). Fantastic musicianship by the band, great horns in "Bullets", and catchy, all-around great to drive to, clean to, hang out to music. Serious thumbs up and congrats on the national release!