Customer Reviews

Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Any list of the 'best' albums of the 1980s never seems to include this album. The average person considers her a "one hit wonder" for "What I Am"..the track that leads off the album. I can't for the life of me figure out why this is the case.

I found this album quite by accident at our local library when I was in high school ("What I am" wasn't really a big hit in our area and I'd never heard it). Something about the packaging sparked my interest and I borrowed it and loved it. It's been almost 20 years since this came out and I still play it and still love it which I can say for precious few discs I loved in high school.

My enamourment with the album doesn't stem from pure nostalgia. I still have good memories associated with a song from Bad English but I'm not going to tell you it's great art. This is...

What you get here is 12 smart, tuneful songs that marry folk and rock without being pretentious about it. Indeed, "What I Am" urged listeners to "choke me in the shallow water before I get too deep". The intellect that underscores this album is more basic than the kind that's flaunted in an attempt to garner critical praise and "indie" cred. It's in the notion that your doppelganger (look it up) is at this moment living his/her life elsewhere on this blue-green orb. ("The Wheel") It's in the simple observation that it isn't the harsh words we exchange that cause relationships to implode but the poisonous feelings held inside ("Nothing"). It's in the telling detail that paints a picture from a long distant memory ('the sun was in the sky like pink champagne and it glistened in your eyes all day' from "Air of December"). Perhaps Edie ended up marrying Paul Simon because she really understood "I Am a Rock" (consider her own "Circle":"When I'm by myself it's the best way to be/When I'm all alone it's the best way to be/When I'm by myself nobody else can say goodbye"). A gorgeous understated tune like "I Do" can even be wasted as a hidden track on this one.

BOTTOM LINE:
Give this a chance. Your library probably has a copy. A friend has a copy. This album is much better than it gets credit for.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Air of December, The Wheel, Love Like We Do, What I Am, Circle, I Do (Hidden track)

I accidently discovered Edie on the darn Windows 95 cd. Unfortunately, no one could tell me who she was. I eventually found two versions of the video on the cd. The second version I found had her name listed. FINALLY! Now, I've gone back and got the first cd's. I remember a the first song as sort of a one-hit wonder 10 years ago. The more I listen to her, the more I like her. Wonder if we'll ever get another album?

Just buy this c.d. Until you hear it for yourself, there is nothing more I can say about it that will do justice to the lyrical and musical quality of Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians' songs. If you haven't heard other material by this group, check out "Ghost of a Dog," and (Edie solo) "Picture Perfect Morning." They are equally stellar accomplishments despite the lack of media attention. Go to bodyofwater.com/edie and post messages on the board to let the band know that their fans are still out here!

Of the two Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (EBATNB) cds, 1988's Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (SRATS) is better than 1990's Ghost of a Dog or Edie's 1994 solo effort. On SRATS, there are 12 consistent and original songs with Edie's breathy vocals complimenting each one. The music, lyrics and vocals are what make this a stand out cd. Sometimes the first cd is the best from an artist and that would be accurate to say here. It has the hits "What I Am" and "Circle" plus 8 other tracks that are just as good. A must have for any rock collector.

One of the things I love about this CD is that it is lyrically strong. Songs like "Air of December" and "Now" are both passionate and poetic. Secondly, each song is unique. Unlike some bands that produce songs that sound too much alike, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians break out of the box to create something refreshingly different for each track. I'm a fan of Suzanne Vega's combination of strong lyrics and catchy tunes and I would say, while unique, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians have a similar flavor. I have yet to grow tired of this album.

Ten years have passed since my miserable days in high school and one of the few happy moments I recall of that dismal period were when I listened to this album. Edie and her light, happy vocals transported me from that frighteningly frustrating world into a realm of peace and dizzying pleasure. She may not have reached the height of success I wanted her to, but she still cheers me up and reminds me of the few happy moments I had while a teenager.

Along with Tracy Chapman and 10,000 Maniacs, Edie Brickell invented the nineties back in 1988. This work of quirky rockin' charismatic singin' pop helped to transform hip alternative into mainstream. In short, it is excellent. Some of the slow numbers are a bit long, but the faster ones are to die for. Holds up very well as time goes by.

Any cd collection would be amiss without this one. When listening to this CD any Generation X-er will unconsciously be taken back 11 years.

It is one of the most touching CD's I have ever listened to. Thanks to Edie and her New Bohemians for expressing the things I had no words for myself. "Circle" is one of my all-time favourites.

Of all their albums, including "The Ultimate Collection", this debut is the one "Edie Brickell" cd to have. Song for song it's the best. Besides the big hit "What I Am" being on here, it also includes "Circle", "Love Like We Do", "She", and the bonus track "I Do". I think anyone would enjoy this, even those who normally wouldn't listen to happy hippie pop music, like myself. You can just see her spinning around in the grass singing when you listen to this. For those interested, she also has a 2003 solo release called "Volcano", and she's still as cute as she sounds.