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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
for the fans, December 17, 2004
if you have ever read the everclear website like i have, or any interviews, you probably would have noticed that Art and the boys believe that they have to grow as artists and continue to improve. Sure, you can make millions keeping the purist fans happy, like the ones that only listen to Sparkle and Fade or World of Noise because they're supposedly so much more raw and purer. But really, as a musician myself, where's the fun in writing the same song over and over without getting better as a writer?
i got this cd shortly after it was released, and little did I know, i was coming out of a relationship (i got dumped the same weekend). the song "Sunshine" I think is a beautiful number. It has similar overdubs like most all the songs have had on any everclear album. There's nothing wrong with adding extra guitars or using synth in any song. What I really noticed on this album, as a huge fan of part 2 of the American Movie duo, it seems to me that Art and the gang learned a lot about themselves as writers. If you liked "American Movie pt 2," "Overwhelming," "When It All Goes Wrong Again", and "Short Blonde Hair," you will definately enjoy this album. Most of the songs are just as cool and personal as those songs are.
the songs that realy stick out to me are "I Want to die a Beautiful Death" and "New York Times" ...there are two acoustic songs. "Chrysanthemum" is a very short, simple song similar to "THe Good Witch of the North" from American Movie pt 2. "Science Fiction" is the second acoustic song, and it is very much one of the greatest songs Everclear has ever done. It's just Art on guitar, with a very simple chord set-up, and some strings sythed.
If you're a pure fan, you will like this, but will insist on criticizing it because it isn't Sparkle and Fade. If you're a real fan, who likes hearing Everclear get more technical and more lyrically sound with every album, you will love this album as much, if not more than i do
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Am I Daydreaming?, December 14, 2004
Everclear certainly has progressed over the years; for better or worse. This is Everclear's sixth full length attempt, and it shows. We get an array of slick production, mixed with pop hooks and Alexakis-standard lyrics (which are excellent I might add). Now, if you are a Sparkle and Fade fan or World of Noise fan, there won't be much on this album for you, as this is a catch mix between Vol 1 and So Much for the Afterglow, except maybe Blackjack or Volvo Driving Soccer Mom.
The album starts off with a few catchy rock 'em tunes (Beautiful and Blackjack among those) and then heads off into a more light and winded middle (Chrysanthemum, TV Show, etc.), and finishes of with a few WELL DONE songs (NY Times). The album, however, seems to be building up to this climax or high point, and when it comes time to deliver; it never does. As well, Alexakis' songs do seem redundant and the same from earlier albums (Da da da da-da da da), and my favorite song on the album, 'White Noise' is the hidden track, one minute after the last song on the album.
This album is good, but not great, as Everclear seem to be stuck in a dreary, overproduced whirl that they can't seem to get out of. Alexakis as well seems a little winded, but there are the highlights (TV Show, Blackjack, Science Fiction, White Noise). If you remember the fiery, passionate Everclear that I do from the mid-90's, you probably agree that this is not their best attempt.
If you are getting into Everclear, get Fade or Afterglow, and if you are an Everclear fan, you might like it, you might not, but take it for what it's worth.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad, April 2, 2004
'Slow Motion Daydream' feels like a synthesis of previous Everclear styles, but in a really predictable kind of way. These songs are basically standard Everclear, although they're pretty good essentially. 'Blackjack' coasts along on a silly hard-rock riff which is enjoyable especially when coupled with a strong melody and some possibly political lyrics ('Please don't say that this isn't what you wanted now/this is your American dream/where everything is simple in the white and the black...be careful what you ask for'). 'Volvo Driving Soccer Mom', in the same vein as 'Rock Star', is disposable but amusing, again saved by some incisive lyrics, and 'A Beautiful Life' is really beautiful and aching but essentially a slower re-write of 'Song From An American Movie Pt 2' with strings - still, its excellent, if nothing new. 'Crysanthemum' is nice, with the same sad folky feel as songs like 'Thrift Store Chair', but too short. 'The New York Times' is a well-meaning tribute to 9-11 but comes across a little too much as bleeding-heart soft-rock. I am an atypical Everclear fan - I think both volumes of the Songs From An American Movie are excellent, a career pinnacle even - not because I'm ignorant of their past - 'Sparkle and Fade' is an enjoyable album - but because although it is commercial, Learning How To Smile is classic pop perfection, whereas Good Time For A Bad Attitude is really well-done rock as well. On 'Slow Motion Daydream' you don't get anything as biting as 'When It All Goes Wrong Again' nor anything as sweet as 'Otis Redding' - it feels like a somewhat unhappy compromise between the two albums - certainly not a return to their earlier sound - this is a commercial album. They need a new direction, really, otherwise it sounds a bit formulaic. Some good songs, but not an incredible album by any stretch of the imagination.
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