Customer Reviews

Smash Mouth

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I discovered Smash Mouth through my pre-teen son, who played Astro Lounge in the house about 500 times and counting. Eventually the album and the group grew on me. They really are quite talented pop writers, with a flair for catchy hooks and a tendency toward retro scoring.

Usually one expects a bit of a drop-off following a mega-hit album like Astro Lounge, so perhaps the most surprising thing about their new album is the immediate accessibility of their new songs. I liked most of them immediately the first time I heard them, and a couple of the songs, like Pacific Coast Party, are positively infectious.

After I heard the album several more times (my son, again) I realized that one of the reasons it's so easy for older folks like me (i.e., > 30) to connect with these songs is that they're patterned very closely after the best (and most recognizable) sounds of late 60's and early 70's, both in songwriting and in orchestration. (Listen for updated 70's dance beats and "groovy" synth organ riffs in many of the songs.) It's not just the Monkees' "I'm a Believer" cover; practically nothing on the entire album would sound out of place on 70's AM radio. But it's really the best AM radio sounds from that time.

Bottom line, this album is very listenable, with some nice flashes of humor and some excellent tunes. If you have to listen to music favored by the Radio Disney crowd, you could do much MUCH worse.

So here I am holding the new Smash Mouth CD. I've been waiting two years for this... This CD is really great. If you loved Astro Lounge you'll love this one. I think they could have thought of a better title though...well anyway onto the (really good) song reviews: HOLIDAY IN MY HEAD 5/5: One of my favorites from the CD. This has a nice beat and a catchy chorus. Apparently this is going to be a single from the CD. YOUR MAN 5/5: Another one of my favorites. It's been constantly stuck in my head since I've heard. I love the chorus. PACIFIC COAST PARTY 4/5: Supposedly the first single from the album even though "I'm A Believer" was out. It's sort of a wierd violin-disco-rock blend. It's nice to see how they experiment with their songs. This was actually written by Paul Delisle (Bass) rather than Greg Camp (Guitar) who writes most of their songs. This is the only song with an unedited swear in it. SHE TURNS ME ON 4/5: This song is right out the "Walking on the Sun" Book. And I mean that as a good thing. I like the guitar riff. SISTER PSYCHIC 5/5: This is my favorite song from the CD. The chorus is really cool and it has a nice beat. This is supposed to be about Lady Cleo, you know, the psychic lady on TV? OUT OF SIGHT 3/5: This is a good song, I just don't like slow ones as much. FORCE FIELD 4/5: This is the second song with a swear in it, and its edited! I like the lyrics in this one. SHOES 'N' HATS 5/5: Another one of my favorites. It's about them dressing how they want to, I think. It has a cool chorus. HOLD YOU HIGH 4/5: This is an Ok song, but the beat gets kind of repetitive. THE IN SET 4/5: I like this song, the bass riff is cool. DISENCHANTED 3/5: Another decent song, but I'm sorry, it's slow and that bothers me usually. At the end theres a wierd segment of sound where one of them broke their headphones or something. You can hear them laughing and talking. KEEP IT DOWN 4/5: This is a wierd song, but I like it. It starts quiet, and sounds like it's going to get loud, but them Steve Harwell (Vocals) shushes them and says "Keep it down now, just keep it now" At the end it goes into this cool drum beat thing(Just think I should mention that it's play by Michael Unbano, the new drummer) with wierd sounds. It's kinda psychidelic, but I like it. I'M A BELIEVER 5/5: This is the cover of the popular Monkees song. This was a radio over last summer. It's a really good song.

Well, well, well...That wraps up my review of "Smash Mouth" the next insanely great album from Smash Mouth. Thank you, goodnight.

Catchy tunes, fun lyrics and well produced music make the third Smash Mouth CD a winner, if a little short on the kind of songs that dominated the radio from the first two Smash Mouth CDs. You will discover that this CD is even milder than "Astro Lounge," with the lyrics capitalizing on the best aspects of that CD. Some fans of "Fush Yu Mang" may protest that Smash Mouth has moved too far into pop, but for those of us that like the retro sound this music is a breath of fresh air that blows away the cookie cutter pop that seems to be dominating the radio.

This CD begins with the fun song "Holiday in My Head." The beat is catchy and the lyrics are enjoyable and light. The opening song has fun written all over it. The second song is actually a song of contradictions that should be more somber, but the song seems upbeat. "Your Man" indicates that he is happy with the relationship though perhaps he should not be, and he wonders what she sees in him. None of the lyrics make any difference to us because we enjoy the bass beat, the pace and the bouncy lyrics. Steve Harwell's voice brings this song to life and keeps you from pausing the CD.

There is no let up or mercy from "Pacific Coast Party," a song that literally has party written all over its catchy beat. This song has a wonderful intro that sounds much like theme music from the throwaway shows that tried to be hip in the late 1970s. This song could easily be a theme song from "That 70s Show."

"She Turns Me On" sounds a lot like "Walkin' on the Sun" in style. I liked "Walkin' on the Sun" so I have little to complain about, but some people may think that Smash Mouth is in danger of repeating themselves.

Moving onward, "Sister Psychic" is yet another fun song that seems inspired by previous Smash Mouth songs with another catchy beat and lyrics. I enjoy the sound effects and keyboards in this song.

"Out of Sight" is more poetic and contemplative than the first five songs. Smash Mouth has sung other songs with a similar pace on previous albums and I have enjoyed every one. This song is a ballad Smash Mouth style.

The following song begins slowly, but it picks up quickly with a bang up beat and a jumping pace that begs you to learn the lyrics. "Force Field" has a melody that is brain catching surrounded by poetically surrealistic lyrics. In spite of the intellectual sounding description, this song is fun and one that I enjoy again and again.

"Shoes `n' Hats" is mostly standard pop, but the song picks up at the halfway point with a lovely guitar riff. This song is much more enjoyable because of the second half of the song, which keeps the song from being mundane. "Hold You High" has moments where I am reminded of Men at Work. The styles are very different, but there is something about the singing in a couple of places that takes me back to that group, which was as unique for their time as Smash Mouth is today.

"The in Set" has a lovely retro beginning leading into a song that has numerous retro elements. The lyrics also refer to the mod era. This song is fun and one of my favorites on this CD. "Disenchanted," similar to "Pacific Coast Party," has elements that make me think of theme music. This song has horns to complement the Smash Mouth sound. I wish Smash Mouth would do more songs with the kind of layers that this song has. This song has a strange ending that requires a lot of volume to hear.

"Keep It Down" has a heavy bass track that challenges the bass response of my speakers. If you have a subwoofer and have it cranked up you may want to be careful; you may find things moving along the floor, or the neighbors complaining. I enjoy this unusual experimental song. Perhaps Smash Mouth should consider trying progressive rock, because this song has many of the elements.

The final song is the cover of the Neil Diamond song "I'm a Believer," a hit for the Monkees in the 1960s. I am a big fan of the Monkees (who would have guessed!) and I think this cover is as enjoyable as their recording. Smash Mouth deserves kudos for putting their unique style on this classic rock song.

I was hooked on Smash Mouth after seeing their video for "Walkin' on the Sun." There are few groups brave enough to attempt a sound that returns to the 1960s and 1970s, and not only does Smash Mouth try for a sound influenced by those eras, they are very good at it. This album is bouncier and catchier than Smash Mouth's first two albums, but music should be fun. Smash Mouth reminds us that one of the reasons we listen to music is because it takes us away from the here and now to a fun place that is as much inside our brains as it is in the CD. Have fun!

Oh well, I suppose if you're into astro lounge, this CD will be right up your ally, but as a huge fan of Fush Yu Mang (and the more rare East Bay Sessions) I was hoping this CD would sound more like Smash Mouth's original material than astro lounge. When I first heard astro lounge I was sick, what happened to my beloved smash mouth? They just weren't the same band. I eventually grew to accept the CD, but I haven't listened to it in ages. The first 3 or 4 tracks on this CD really didn't have that astro lounge sound, they were still poppy and not as raw as the old smash mouth, but anything's better than that astro lounge crap. Sadly, as soon as I hit track 5 (sister psychic) I realized it's not as good as it seemed, this songs sounded like some sickning mix of some nsync song and generic pop rock. Skip to track 6 and it had to be one of the most anti-fush yu mang songs I've heard from smash mouth. completely boring and lacking energy. Track 7- Force Field could have been one of the many songs from Astro Lounge just thrown on this CD and I wouldn't have even known, completely generic. Track 8, shoes'n'hats is a decent song, not completely sythesized, but really sounds too much like american hifi or some other want-to-be rock band for my liking. Track 9 (hold you high) is yet another astro lounge style track. Next. Track 10 - The in set, I liked, I'm not sure why, just had a unique sound to it reminded me a lot of something from Beck. Then the next song, is yet another poppy synthesized forgetable astro lounge type track. *sigh*.. Well, track 12, keep it going isn't such a bad song, definetly has a good beat, not a lot of vocals though. Again, has that beck-style to it. I was indiferent to the final track (I'm a beleiver) it was slapped on to the end of the CD (just as cant get enough of you was slapped on astro lounge) for completest reasons. Overall, if you liked astro lounge you'll love this CD. If you prefered Smash Mouths older material, stay away. I guess I should just accept that the old smashmouth is gone, and wont ever return.. Now that they have been overcome by the terrible pull of pop (and money..) Oh, and best of luck to Steve and his family, very sorry to hear about your Presley Scott Harwell. God Bless.

This was without a dout Smash Mouth at their best with the public, and it is also my favorite album of theirs. This is ther peak album because Fush Yu Mang only got thigs started for them and had one hit song. Astro Lounge is what many people consider to Smashmouth's Public Peak album, but in reality that was just the beggining of them being the famous band they are today, when people bagn to realize that they were not one-hit wonders. In this album, people being aware they were not one-hit wonders, Smash Mouth, with about 3, more than any other SM album, hit songs coming off this album, and everyone now beingaware of Smash Mouth being a Modern Rock Super Band, Smash Mouth was seemingly everywere. Then on the most recent album, Get The Picture, there was almost no public going on with that, the only radio song was that terrible "You Are My Number One" Man, that song is heck. And "Hang On" in Cat In The Hat and "Hot" from the Hotwheels chemercials, which are both good songs either way, didn't really help, but anyway, heres this album.
The album begins with "Holiday In My Head", a fun song, normal typical SMashmouth Guitar/Keyboard Cross, with a very cool riff. Nice song, I give it 9/10
The next song was "Your Man". A cool song, kind of a cross between Blink-182 style punk and typical Smashmouth, I loved it! 10/10
Then there was "Pacific Coast Party" which was a strange cross between 70's Disco and Hard Rock Guitar Bashing, enjoyable and cool. 10/10
Following PCP there was "She Turns Me On", which is kind of a Classic Rock meets James Bond Song, catchy, oonce again, with a cool guitar riff 9/10
After this was "Sister Pshyic", this was sort of a combination of *NYSYNC and sort of Hard Rock thrashing. A little too keyboardy for my tastes but other than that it was o.k. 8/10
Following this was "Out Of Sight" the only acoustic song on the album. I personally kind of like slow songs, especially in an album that is generally electric guitar dominated likethis album, it adds a diversity of style. 9/10
Then was "Force Field" which was a real all and out Techno/Rock song, cool guitar effects mixed in with spacy keyboards. Strange, yet satisfying. 10/10
After this was "Hats N' Shoes" which was a punk song, it kind of reminded me of something Green Day would do, once again, it had a really cool guitar riff. My favorite song on the album. 10/10
Following Hats N' Shoes was "Hold You High", it was a strange Techno/Disco song, at first listen it didn't appeal to me much, but it grows on you in a wierd way 7/10
Following that was "The Inset", this is another song when Greg Camp seems to ignore his amazing ability on the guitar and lets keyboards do the work. There were indeed alot of guitars in this song, but the riff was a keyboard riff. I think that Greg Camp should cut the keyboards out of his songs and show his guitar ability more. Other than that great song 9/10
Then there was "Disenchanted:, it was this wierd jazz thing. This wasn't real Smashmouth at all. My least favorite sonmg on the album. 5/10.
Then there was "Keep It Down" Which I actually really enjoyed, although it was starnge. 10/10
Finally the "I'm A Believer" cover. Need I say anything 10/10.

Well, thats all, now a word of advice for Smashmouth, Greg, your a great guitar player, show your ability more, less keyboard, and make your stuff a little more like Fush Yu Mang. thats all.

First off, I'd like to say that Smash Mouth is my favorite band, with Weezer directly behind them.

Of Smash Mouth's four albums, I've found myself listening to this the least. For the first few months after I got it, I was listening to it all the time, but its not like I tired of it or anything, I still love it, but this CD doesn't impress me as much as the previous three. This album is a lot of fun to listen to, but like before, just not as much as the previous three. This is the only of the four albums that I've only given four stars to, and I even originally rated this as a five, but as I listened to it more, my opinion changed slightly. This album was probably just a bit too polished for my tastes. I still love it to death, but now, its probably listened to the least or second least of all my Smash Mouth albums.

This is the only album that I am truly willing to use the word 'pop' anywhere in its title. Its not pure pop, and I hope that Smash Mouth never goes that way, but the CD is pop/rock. About 50/50. Some songs more pop than rock, some vice versa. Some people say that Smash Mouth has completely changed since their first album. I don't agree with that. They've changed somewhat, but far from completely. I can still see their smart-assed party attitude in almost all of the songs on this CD, and thats got to be what I love about them. They're not all dark and death obsessed. They just want to do stuff thats fun to them, and fun to other people, and they've done that well.

A Fun record.

This album was released in the fall, which is to say the least, not good for a summer band like Smash Mouth. In addition, this is the album that came after Astro Lounge, one of the best albums of all time. In my opinion, anyway. But don't let any of that stuff detract you. This album is simply amazing. It is the continuation of Smash Mouth's sound from Astro Lounge. However, it is distinct in its own right. The lyrics at times are also more trippy than those on Astro Lounge (is that possible? yes it is) and Smash Mouth expand that lyrical horizon and also thier instrumental horizons. "Your Man" is my favorite song on the album. It does not have the in your face chorus of Shoe's and Hats or I'm a Believer and it is not the summer breeze of an anthem that "PCP" is. However, it represents a more laid-back but continously powerful style. Also of note is "Keep It Down". At first this song may seem strange and you may be tempted to say it [is weak]. However it is a masterful lesson in lyrical control of instrumentation. Unlike "Only in Dreams" by Weezer, which dies off into the extended "end instrumental" Smash Mouth actually control the instrumentation by making reference to it, througout the song. The end instrumental is justified and anticipated and phenemal and rewarding. Excellent work. For another excellent example see Eve 6's Jesus Nightlight. In summery, don't listen to this album with the mindset that it is the follow up to Astro Lounge. Listen to it in its own right and enjoy.

When I first heard I'm a believer, I wanted to get this cd. Then i heard Pacific Coast Party on the radio. Then I new I had to get it. so i got it. I was not the least bit dissapointed. Here's a review of all the tracks.

Holiday in my Head- great song. good point. 7/10

Your Man- awsome beat. good lyrics. 8/10

Pacific Coast Party- if you like good dance beats or disco you will LOVE this song. trust me. 10/10

She turns me on- ok song, could be better. 6/10

sister psychic- nice. based on ms. Cleo on tv. 7/10

out of sight- slow song. what you might call un-smash mouthish. 6/10

force field- nice 7/10

shoes and hats- awesome! 9/10

hold you high- sweet melody. 7/10

the inset, disenchanted and keep it down are songs i have no comment for but a score. 7/10

It may seem like this cd doesn't get 5 stars but it does.

Best Wishes to you steve, very sorry.

This album is different from the stylistic neo-60's mutant steadyness of Astrolounge and skacore influence of their rags to riches debut "Fu shu mang". My favourite is the song "disenchanted", an unusually jazzier tune that I would recommend for any fan of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker or Nat King Cole. I still like the typical feel-good SM songs like "Holiday in my head" and the poking fun at eitism in "The In-Set". I've always liked the Space-age lyrical metaphores and the whole "Jetsons" feel to what these guys do. There's only one incredibly boring song in the album (track #2). I'm not much of a consumer of pop bands that are pimped by big business, but I still recommend the few and far between that I consider to be islands of talent in a sea of overpromoted crap. Smashmouth has been one of those bands.

The main reason why i bought this CD because i really liked their last one. Even though Album sounds a bit different its pretty good. Smash Mouth songs always put me in a better mood and they can be fun to dance to. I liked most the songs on this CD maybe there was a couple i'm not too crazy over, but its rare to find a CD with 100% good songs ya know? LOL. well anyway if you don't like pop/rock you really have no business buying this CD. If ya do then i deffinitally recommend it! Its a MUST HAVE! ^_^ i think i've listened to this CD like at least 25-30 times already...ok call me obsessed!