Customer Reviews

Slow Motion Daydream

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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

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.

'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.

From hard punk rock of "World of Noise" and "Sparkle and Fade", to more catchy pop sounds of "So Much for the Afterglow" and "Learning How to Smile", to the witty and fun "Good Time For a Bad Attitude"..."Slow Motion Daydream" delivers it all. The first single, "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom" may veer off some listeners for it's almost too playful sound w/ hysterical lyrics. In my opinion, that's the worst song on the album, but still great.

Every song on this album has a unique sound to it. From hard hitting guitar riffs of "Blackjack", "I Want to Die A Beautiful Death", and the hidden track title #12, to a more popular fan based sounding "How to Win Friends And Influence People", "The New York Times", and "Sunshine." "New Blue Champion" and "TV Show" are songs made to perfection that could easily outdo any song from "SMFTA". The whole album can be played all the way through w/o skipping through any songs (w/ the exception of "Chrysanthemum" which sort of acts like the intermission of the album).

If you are an everclear fan, this will obviously tell you that this is the best album by far. It has everything! About 8 or 9 songs are single material. Great music masterpieces of "Science Fiction" and "A Beautiful Life" are not to be out done as well. Those are quite frankly my 2 favorite tracks. The lyrics are so meaningful and may be the best everclear songs I have heard of musically.

When this cd was released, my best friend bought it on the first day. I told him that he had to let me borrow it so i could make my own copy. So I did, and I popped it in my cd player. I was amazed! This album is shockingly good. I imediately took a special liking to this cd. "Fall Down","Sunshine" and "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom" are my favorite tracks. I don't really have least favorite songs because they are all really good.

5/5!

Everclears "Slow Motion Daydream" is at least as powerful both musically and lyrically as any of the bands previous albums. In this album the raw energy and their "Stronger Than Dirt" sound is balanced with tastefully placed orchestral backings and some very nice acoustical work. The two immediatly notable songs, Volvo Drivin' Soccer Mom and New York Times are both already stuck in my head. The the rest of the album is fantastic with some interesting variations on a tried and true formula...... kickin rock. Very infectious!!! Nice job Art!!!

I would concider myself a casual listener of Everclear's previous works. This being said; I do not understand the negative reviews ,on Amazon, of this album. This is by far my favorite offering from these cats. If all of their albums sounded like this I would be a huge fan. An awesome album from a pretty good band.

After a friend MADE me listen to Volvo Driving Soccer Mom, I ran out and bought this album emediately. I loved a bunch of the songs at first listen. TV Show is practically my life story. Other songs didn't catch my eye at first. But now I love every single one of these songs. There are few errors on this album. It's one of the best albums I own. More records like this would make the world a better place.

Track By Track Guide:

1.How To Win Friends and Influence People-9/10 A It's one of the songs I didn't like much at first. Just a little while ago I started to really like it. It's really good.
2.Blackjack 9/10 A A straight forward rocking song. Fast and loud, it's great.

3.I Wanna Die A Beautiful Death 9.5/10 A What the hell is that noise in the begining of this song?? Anyway-it's great.

4.Volvo Driving Soccer Mom 9.5/10 A+ The first and as far as I know the only single off of the album. Well, it's a great one either way.

5.Science Fiction 9/10 A- This song is totaly awesome except for the fact that it is ruined by the part that goes: "Life is always getting better" Art... you ruined the song like that.

6.New Blue Champion 10/10 A+ Another full on rock song. I love the lyrics on this one.

7.TV Show 10/10 A++ As I said before, this song is my life story. It's TOTALY AWESOME. No complaints here...

8.Chrysanthemum 8.5/10 B It's good but I don't know why they put it on the album. It's just weird.

9.Sunshine (That Acid Summer) 10/10 A+ Another really great song. This song is really cool.

10.A Beautiful Life 9/10 A It's a song that really didn't appeal to me until a little while ago. Mostly because of the first 40 seconds of it. I still don't really like those xylophones...

11.New York Times 9.5/10 A A softer song-but still no complaints here. It's a really good song. Especially the part right after the second verse.

12.White Noise 10/10 A+ The whole minute of silence thing is stupid, but once this song starts-it kicks ... It's the second best song on the album.

This album is great. Buy it NOW!!!

I was highly anticipating the release of Everclear's "Slow Motion Daydream". I bought it, listened to it, and was not disappointed one bit. The album isn't as good as "So Much For The Afterglow" but it comes in a close second of the five Everclear albums I own. Art's lyrics are once again phenominal. Every song on the record has a deep meaning that you have to look into the song to understand. "Blackjack", "How To Win Friends And Influence People", and "New York Times" all pertain to 9/11 and the acoustic "Chrysanthemum" tells of two Oregon girls that were slaughterd. The song has no need to be any longer than 1:37 as the point is made quickly. "A Beautiful Life" and "Science Fiction" have orchestral parts while the rock is still in Everclear's system on the entire album. This record is one of there best. If you want buy a great album that you won't be disappointed with, buy "Slow Motion Daydream".

Great lyrics, as usual, and beefy sounds. Though I'm generally not a big fan of strings when it comes to rock music, they work well on this album. The semi-acoustic Science Fiction and Chrysanthemum create a nice balance to the heavier tunes. Art and Co. had found a sound and songwriting style that proved successful, and they're not afraid to stick with it. Great music from a great city.