Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still living the dream, July 22, 2006
Really amazing third solo disc, goes in so many new directions, feels like Butch is really getting into the swing of being a distinct artist. The last disc was more of an exclamation point where this one is more of a period. It really makes a statement, it makes you stop and listen. It made me laugh when the only mention it got on Rolling Stone was about Avril being in the "Bethanphetamine" video, those losers are so out of touch. And by the end of the disc; just like every great entertainer Butch leaves you wanting more and more and more...
Track Listing:
1. Oooh...Aah...-pretty much just that.
2. Hot Girls in Good Moods- A throw back to T-Rex and Bowie, maybe Rob Zombie should be taking notes, for fans paying attention it has an "Alecia Amnesia" vibe.
3. Ladies & Gentlemen...The Let's Go Out Tonites- This song is fantastic for two reasons 1-butch makes fun of himself (Marie who has sex for free) 2- Butch makes fun of everybody else(Wolfmother and Yeah Yeah Yeah's refrences anyone?)
4. Bethamphetamine (Pretty Pretty)- The first single, which susprised me, Avril looks like hell in the video, what is there not to like. I hear "This Year's Model" Elvis Costello undertones.
5. Too Famous To Get Fully Dressed- I love this song! Butch is exploring his continued commentary on pop culture.
6. We're All Going Down- Dark! I like this, A very different direction. It's like what an emo song written by Tom Petty would sound like.
7. Dominoes- I think this is some sort of a Ben Folds inspired tune. I know they toured together a bit. I wonder what the story is?
8. Paid To Get Excited- This is by far the most bold song that Butch has ever released. I think it pretty much sums up who he is and what he believes. Very striking imagery.
9. Song w/o a Chorus- I have heard several versions of this live, I guess he kicked the idea around a while before deciding to record it. A big up-yours to the industry. He is one of the few artists who could pull a song like this off, it goes in so many different directions and still pulls into the station at the end of the line.
10. The Taste of Red- Once again a very different direction but I love it, its so dark. It makes me want to listen to it over and over. It opens up like "Far Away From Close" from the first solo album then goes into a retro 70's deal with strings and full orchestration. Really pretty.
11. Rich People Die Unhappy- Sounds a bit like Ryan Adams except its origional and he knows what he is talking about. I can see him sitting on the front porch staring at a broken down car in the front yard writing it.
12. This is the Sweetest Little Song- This might have been left off of the "Letters" disc. Very singer songwriter. F@#!ing beautiful. Really shows his writing abilities, puts him out there with Death Cab for Cutie and Bright Eyes. His artistic merit is electric on this track.
13. When Canyons Ruled the World- Singer-Songwriter track that leaves you wondering why people aren't out in the streets screaming his praises.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Butch continues to grow, July 11, 2006
Butch Walker is not an artist that rests on his laurels. After the breakup of The Marvelous 3, he made a very good arena rock record with "Left of Self Centered." Walker followed it up with 2004's brilliant "Letters," which critics unfairly labeled an emo record, but actually was a '70s singer songwriter affair. Walker could have easily made a sequel to "Letters," but instead he takes us in another direction entirely.
To fans who loved the soothing sounds of "Letters," "The Rise and Fall of the Let's Go Out Tonites" will seem quite offputting. Walker has picked up the electric guitar again, and almost every track is bathed in crunchy riffs. Walker wears his influences on his sleeves here: "Hot Girls in Good Moods" is ripped from T. Rex, "Bethamphetimine (Pretty Pretty)" sounds like Transformer era Lou Reed. Despite cribbing from his favorite artists, it never feels like plagerism. It feels as if Walker is trying to introduce these great artists to a new generation.
Besides the glam inspired rock, Walker has written some of the best ballads of his career. "Dominoes," "We're All Going Down" and especially "This is the Sweetest Little Song" are all achingly beautiful. Unlike the ballads on "Letters," which were often bitter and heartbroken, these are lush and whistful and have an undercurrent of hope running through.
My one problem with the album is the production. The background vocals are pushed to the background and can barely be heard. However, this is a very minor issue when the songs are so good.
All in all, this record was everything I'd hoped for in a new Butch Walker record. This is one of the best releases of 2006.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
to ColdHardButch- Dominoes, August 24, 2006
Dominoes was written about Butch's grandmother Grace, and his grandfather. He had an accident and got alzheimers. (sp?). She was sharp as a nail, yet very weak. He on the other hand was strong as an ox, and couldnt remember where he was. They were this amazing support system for each other :( Butch wrote this song shortly after Grace passed away. The DAY BEFORE he was to come home to Georiga and play it for his grandfather and family, his grandfather passed away. If you get the chance to see Butch in concert this year, and he sits down at the piano to tell the story, I am willing to bet of those who are true Walker fans, there will not be a dry eye in the house.
"50 years of time, an accident would take my mind, shortly have to take the wife away from me... everybody knows, memories will keep you alive. Some of them can't be erased. If I remember one today, let if be of Grace."
I find that this album was not as strong as letters was, but it holds it's own against all M3 albums. Its a very glam rock cd, and as much as he's giving to other artists (avril, etc) I'm surprised he has so much to give back to his true fans who don't listen to the radio.
My fave song on the album is "Taste of Red". Something about it is very southern, very true, and of course, very Butch. Of all the concerts I have been to, I have yet to see him without his "taste of red".
C'mon potential buyer... take a chance. Worst case is you at least buy a song or two on iTunes.
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