Customer Reviews

Outside Looking in

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The BoDeans have frequently touted themselves as a Midwestern American band. The image that comes to mind when hearing that title is a band that captures the wide-open prairie feel of the Midwest in their music. None of the BoDeans' albums have done a better job of capturing this image than Outside Looking In, which is easily the high-water mark of the BoDeans' recording career.

Much of the credit for this album's success has to go to the producer, Jerry Harrison (a member of the Talking Heads). His judicious use of echo, powerful drumming, and acoustic guitar give the album the sense of "wide open spaces" that is implied in the BoDeans' roots. The band members augment this production with some of their best songwriting ever. "Only Love", "Dreams", "What It Feels Like", and "I'm In Trouble Again" are wonderfully poignant songs about heartache and hope. The mix of production and songwriting work perfectly together to invoke a strong emotional response from the listener.

It's entirely fitting that the album opens with a song whose chorus is "Ain't this what dreams are made of." Bands don't usually make such a bold statement about their recordings. Fortunately, it is backed up by the Bodeans' performance. Consequently, not only is Outside Looking In the realization of the dream of a great American Rock and Roll album, it is also the realization of the dreams that BoDeans fans had for the band's potential.

In my opinion, words just don't do this album justice, it is that good. The stories in the lyrics, the incredible hooks, the passion in the vocals, the consistancy of quality in each song, all make this not only the best BoDeans album, but also one of the best all time rock albums, period. I could critique each song, but my acolades would make this review ridiculously long. Part of the power of this album is that each song is excelent in its own right, there isn't a weak song in the bunch, and each time I listen to the entire album I come away thinking that a different song is the best one on the album. If you like the BoDeans, this one is a must. If you know of the BoDeans, but aren't a big fan, this one is a must. If you have never heard of the BoDeans, this one is a must.

i first had this as a bodeans cassette when i was in college...i have had the cd for a long time and still listen to it..is just as great today as it was almost 20 years ago...i think it is their best, and i have listened to HOME and LOVE, HOPE, SEX, and DREAMS, and JOE DIRT CAR...this cd is special to me because it reminds me of a boy friend who died of a brain tumor four years ago..he liked this cd too..a must listen!

I was first introduced to the Bo Deans in 1988, while participating in a pool tournament. Their music was often in the background as I played (and lost). In fact, the last track, "I'm in Trouble Again" seemed to be playing every time I was on a losing streak--which was fitting for the mood I was in from losing. Ironically, their music was playing the moment I WON my first tournament a year later. "Rickshaw Riding" (from their first album, Love and Hope & Sex and Dreams)was playing then. My point is that certain bands and types of music have a way of leaving their mark, and memories. The Bo Deans' music is bluesy, folksy, countryish, rocking, popping, and somewhat alternative in its sound. There's so much to like about their sophomore album, Outside Looking In. It's an album that dares to be different in a period of conformity. I commend these guys for putting out something that is honest, down-to-earth music with acoustic guitar. While a lot of the music is uplifting and upbeat, there's still a great portion that's mellower and even somber. Their music seems to highlight struggles and loneliness in life. Every track is good, and there's quite a mixture that should appeal to everyone who is looking for something different. Standout tracks include Dreams, Pick up the Pieces, Take it Tomorrow, Runaway Love, The Ballad of Jenny Rae, Fool, and I'm in Trouble Again. I highly recommend getting this CD. 9/10

I knew a few of the songs on here from the radio, but didn't
know they were all from the BoDeans. Having listened to the
whole CD now, all I can say is "wow"!

Wish I found this sooner - this is absolutely fantastic music
for driving down the open road with the wind in your hair.
Really stands the test of time, and thanks to this one I'll be
picking up the entire rest of their catalog!

This second release from Milwaukee's BoDeans (Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann) is a winner. I read a review many years ago of their first effort (LOVE AND HOPE AND SEX AND DREAMS) that suggested that it was one step out of the cornfield, and I thought that was a good comparison. This collection, produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads fame, is not as raw and quirky as that first album, but the quality of the songs and the performances are right up there with it.

It was ONLY LOVE that first turned me into a BoDeans fan, and that's probably the best song on this CD in my estimation. Other highlights are DREAMS, PICK UP THE PIECES, WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, and plenty of others. The harmony vocals and guitar interplay are prominent in most of the tunes, and top to bottom, it's a great listen.

Unlike many popular bands from the 80s who fizzled after a strong debut album, the BoDeans took a different path. Their second album, Outside Looking In, is actually better than their first one. This album is less acoustic, more upbeat, and more enjoyable than their debut album. Like some other reviewers, I owned this album when it first came out in 1987, and listened to it extensively in college. Even today, it is still a strong album, and the bonus tracks on the CD are pretty good as well.

If you like the BoDeans then you should own this album. If you have never heard of the BoDeans, then this album is a good purchase to hear some of their best songs.

I know not many kids listen to this kind of music, but I've seen them 5 times, and they are goood! I reccomend any bodeans cd, especially "Joe Dirt Car," a double cased live cd of songs from '85 to '95. "Say about love" is a great song, and this version is cool, but I don't know if there is a video. All in all, pretty good material, even though it was released 20 years ago.
Also reccomended: ANYTHING BODEANS, blink 182, green day, barenaked ladies, hootie and the blowfish, john hiatt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, john mayer, weezer, the rippingtons, lyle lovett. Every genre is good!

As I said in my review of "Joe Dirt Car", I am a BIG fan of these guys. This is a great album itself because it includes "Say About Love" on it. If you like the BoDeans, listen to this cd. You won't be sorry you did. Enjoy.

Very sound album, definately their strongest work. Rediscovered this gem recently when I found a box of old cassetes from my college days. Gave it one listen and went out immediately to buy it on CD. Still sounds as fresh and energetic today as it did 20 years ago. If you like the alt country midwetern bar band sound, I stongly suggest you give it a listen.