Customer Reviews

One By One

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

 

 

After seeing this band numerous times, I became intranced with their musicianship and songs. I bought Straigharound and wore it out and eagerly awaited their major label debut. This album represents all that is wrong with major label honcho's. They took a fresh, musical, hip sound and made it into something that it shouldn't be. All of the previoulsy recorded songs were made worse and the new stuff sounded like it should be on the next Disney soundtrack. The label really messed this up and missed the boat with this band. I hope they rebound and someone recognizes the supreme talent that is AGR!

This album is a good example of what Agents are now trying not to become. Don't get me wrong; it's a good, lighthearted, poppy album with some fantastic songwriting. But, it's really not what they're about. It's worth buying - the break in Shortchange is epic, and the vocals on Two Bucks In Cash are stunning. But, buy Straightaround and Where'd You Get That Vibe? first (in that order).

I have to agree w/the reviews that say this album is just not representative of this now defunct band; it doesn't even come close to doing their music justice. way too commericialized, pop-oriented, clipped, stripped, and dumbed down for what their music is really about. this is another one of those bands that gave 100% in their phenomenal live performances when they were around but, partly due to lack of commerical success (some blame Redlight Management, of the DMB camp, for not doing their job as promoters), the band called it quits at the end of 2001. in any case, the album presents "Two Bucks In Cash" and "Where'd You Get That Vibe?", 2 smokin' live songs, as weak, watered down, and overly processed ditties while the presentation of the rest of the songs are simply mediocre on this album. "Time Bomb," "Hoping, Waiting, Longing," and "I'll Be Back" aren't worth listening to at all. I highly recommend checking out their live EP, Seed, and their last studio album, "Needle and Thread" for a sample of their best released work. Still, this is music that is best experienced live, a quality that made this group so exceptional. Their shows were always a blast.

I'm a huge Agents fan and I bought this album when it came out hoping to hear the jazzy jamming style that I was used to getting from these guys. Instead it struck me as some cheap attempt at sounding like every other pop/rock band out there. Also I thought they ruined a few of their old songs in attempting to shape them into what I guessed the producer thought people wanted. I was totally disgusted at first but that was only because I was expecting jazz. You only get one or two songs that reflect the Agent's jazz influence on this album.

HOWEVER, if you go into listening to this as a pop/rock album I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. You can still distinguish the creative harmony, funky bass lines and guitar riffs that these guys are known for. The drumming is pretty straight on this one (less jamming) Overall the album has a darker (more romantic?) feel than the stuff they've put out before. If you want the jazzy jamming Agents get "Straight Around" For original funky pop/rock this one will do.

I was originally attracted to this CD from a demo tape i picked up at the local "schoolkids records" which had the song "upspin" and "smiling up the frown." I figured i'd buy the CD and take a risk dispite some people telling me it was terrible. I LOVE IT though. All but about two songs on it are great and thats the only reason i gave it 4 stars. If there was a 4.5 I would have given it that. It really is a well done cd with some great songwriting and vocals. I would highly reccomend it to anyone, but it is a "different" kind of music, so i would try to listen to it first.

After having seen Agents live at the Flood Zone (club in Richmond--same time slot Dave Matthews used to own) and twice more after that including just this past year in a small club, I have to say they've come very close to selling out their own refreshing brand of music. All of these tracks are a little too electric and slick, and make an original fan yearn for the improvised, more acoustic grooves heard on Straight Around and in their first release (not offered by Amazon), Where'd You Get That Vibe? While I dig Upspin and this version of Smiling Up the Frown, there is nothing on this disc that rivals Get Me There or Straight from their live production. Worth picking up, but don't think you're getting an accurate picture of what this band is really all about.

I assume that Agents was trying to sound more mainstream than their fusion-laced, awesome live shows, but their attempts at hard rock here miss the mark. You have to listen very hard to recognize their immense instrumental talent, something that is immediately apparent in their live shows.

One or two intersting songs and a number that I just didn't care for. Skip this CD.

This CD is great. I sold it to a company in California when I digitized my whole collection. Then, my hard drive crashed and I lost all of my music. Turns out this CD is out of production and can't be downloaded from anywhere. I was glad to find it in new condition from this source. It is as good as I remember it!

The first CD from the band under a major label, One by One is that band's best effort to date, and a very good album all around. Andrew Winn keeps getting better, and the band as a whole sounds more polished every time I hear them. Winn's vocals and JC Kuhl's sax playing continue to distinguish the band from so many others. Brian Jones (just the drummer) lays down a great beat and helps on the vocals. And lets not forget Stewart Myers, who sings backup along with playing the bass. Catch this band now, on the way up. They're definitely going places.