Customer Reviews

Scenery And Fish

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is one of the best albums of the 90's without a doubt. It still packs a great punch today. I wonder what would happen if it were re-released under a different name and pushed by a big record company. Too bad Edwin ditched for his ill-fated solo career. Idiot.

More accessible than their debut album "Dig", this sophomore album has got it all. From catchy rhytmic melodies to extended guitar solos. There is no particular weak spot on this album as it is fairly strong all the way from start to finish. Edwin's vocals are as strong as they've ever been, to support the "spacey" lyrics. The most impressive thing about the album is the wealth of guitar tones Jagori Tanna is able to produce here. Very entertaining and interesting. This album my seem like a bore at first, but after a few listens, you'll hear how great this album truely is.

This sophomore effort by I Mother Earth is the most popular release by either IME or its former vocalist Edwin, and it's easy to see why. This is one of those unforgettable albums that stays strong from start to finish, and sticks with you long after you've finished listening. While its predecessor, Dig, focused more on a harder-edged alternative sound, Scenery and Fish is post-grunge rock at its best, during the prime of post-grunge.

The band takes traditional song structures and either throws them aside or adds more meat to them, thus making the songs more interesting and stripping them of predictability. The IME-trademark jams are less about blistering musicianship this time and more about taking you on a journey to some other place, only to deposit you right back into the song. Vocalist Edwin does more singing and less yelling on this album, and the result is some sticky pop melodies. Guitarist Jagori Tanna writes music that is more diverse and experimental than the previous album, yet still ear-candy. He and bassist Bruce Gordon continue their uniquely layered sound, but with less emphasis on aggression and more on creating distinct (and occasionally trippy) songs with their own identities, yet still catchy and still completely rock. The percussive elements are more understated than on Dig, and Christian Tanna's drumming is less frenetic, but equally skillful. His psychedelic-poetic lyrics are strangely catchy here as well.

Overall, Scenery and Fish could be described as a summertime, top-down driving album. While it does not have the raw desire of Dig running through it, it is much more polished. As mentioned, there is not one disappointing song on the album, and while there are a few songs on Dig that could be considered better, the Scenery and Fish album as a whole is stronger.

This CD, in my opinion, is a 90's masterpiece. While not trying to jump on the grunge movement, IME were impecable musicians. They were not affriad to write the 6+ minute sonic charges that compose part of this cd and its predecessor 'Dig'.
This album much outclasses their first. The initial 2 tracks of 'Like a Girl' and '...Astronaut' start the cd brilliantly with their accesibility and hooks. Excellent mix and production only help distinguish the instruments and the moodiness of Edwin's vocal style, which is top notch.

They go through track after track with melody and power, i wont break down each but all are great tracks executed well with some stellar guitar work. They slow it down toward the end of the CD with 2 of the best tracks of 'Songburst and Delirium' and the dramatically infectious 'Sense of Henry'. Both tracks take a few listens but are just excellent. The latter featuring awesome vocals from Edwin who left after this release to persue a more straight laced solo career.

All tracks serve a purpose so their are no fillers and the whole CD has a loose based concept. But by no means does it always have to be played in its entirety.

I am late in writing this review since they have been gone for a while, but in case anyone sees this somewhere and is curious, i can not recommend this CD enough. Yet another band who was not given their due. The best part is the way they were mixing their progressive style with great hooks. A feat no easy to accomplish. Too bad the bottom fell out for them. This CD is an A+ and a gem. Rediculously priced as well.. Shame. If you see this used and dont waste your chump change than their is no saving you.

Excellent CD, Id urge anyone to buy it. I have no idea how IME has not gotten noticed in the US. I have seen their CDs in a store ONCE.

This is CD is awesome! It's just as good as their debut, "Dig" even a little better! I'm one of the few IME fans here in the US, so whenever I say IME is one of my favorite bands I get stares & questions, but I don't care. From "One More Astronaut", a song with great music & unique lyrics, to "Raspberry" the song about a man that fell in love with an actual raspberry, to "Earth, Sky, & C." a long yet funny song with Santana-like music, it's a great album all around, and they should get more respect & fame in the music industry!

The second album from I Mother Earth, "Scenery & Fish", was a bit of a departure from "Dig", their first album (that i know of anyway). It is still a phenomenal work, but where "Dig" had more of a jam band collaborative sound, Scenery is a bit more thought out and refined. There are still jam type songs on this album, of which 'Pisser' and 'Raspberry' stand out (the latter being my favorite song on the album, but as a whole, the album is a bit more progressive and radio friendly than the last. I remember when it came out, Raspberry and Like a Girl were getting a fair amount of radio play, and the tour to support the album was really fun (at least their show at Liberty Lunch was). Anyway, in my opinion, this was another five star effort, and a demonstration of how diverse Jagari's guitar skills are (i rank him in the top 5 all timers actually). Lyrically, Christian still throws some bizarre but cool stuff together, and everything fits seamlessly.

Enjoy!

All I wanted was I Mother Earth on my iPod...but for some reason, IME is not on iTunes. The CD came quickly and played with no skipping, so I'm happy. The shipping was a lot though.

Canadian 'alternative' band's follow-up to their debut 'Dig' CD {see my review} and about as good. It's been so long since I've seen anything new by these guys, I barely remember any release after 'Dig'. Tracks here that hold their own are the catchy "Like A Girl" (Alex Lifeson of Rush guest guitarist), the sedate "Three Days Old", the somewhat trippy "Shortcut To Moncton", "Pisser" and "Songburst & Delirium". Line-up: Edwin-vocals, Jagori Tanna-guitar & backing vocals, Bruce Gordon-bass and Christian Tanna-drums. Now I need to check out their remaining CD's that I've barely heard of.

Killer album in every way, except I miss some of that experimental edge from theirn other albums.

Like a Girl and Used to be alright are stand out tracks. One more Astronaut is of course one of if not their biggest hit.

This is I mother earths most mainstream album the way Nevermind was for Nirvana. Worth owning, and a classic. But I like their other albums better.