Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile

Everclear

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00004TWIT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (271 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,346 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Reminiscences permeate the dozen diverse tracks that populate Everclear's fourth outing. The trio, spearheaded by writer/guitarist/producer Art Alexakis, looks back in myriad ways on Songs from an American Movie. Alexakis skillfully and sweetly addresses his recent divorce ("The Honeymoon Song," "Now That's It's Over"), musical heroes ("Otis Redding"), and childhood ("AM Radio"), frequently matching his words with suitably retro music. Although the only cover is a new-wave take on Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," familiar musical references abound. On "AM Radio," a brief sample of "Mr. Big Shot" sets the tone for funky flashback fun, while "The Honeymoon Song" is full of Brian Wilson inflections. Alexakis references his own "Everything to Everyone" in the title track, while "Otis Redding," "Unemployed Boyfriend," and "Wonderful" are more commercial alt-rock Everclear than homage Everclear. Alexakis set out to make a pop album, and while millennial teenagers have their own definition of "pop," for '70s-kid Alexakis, Songs from an American Movie serves as a summertime soundtrack to his thirtysomething life. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sgt Boutique, July 11, 2000

By	Jon Simon (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Most alternative bands today seem to be one amorphous band with hundreds of musicians all producing the same songs. Everclear has set apart themselves from this generic monster with their latest album, Songs From an American Movie, by using a rich variety of styles. For example, "Here We Go Again" and "AM Radio" use simple but effective sampling in the songs, similar to Beastie Boy's "Pauls' Boutique". "Learning How to Smile", "Otis Redding", and "Annabella's Song" use orchestral accompaniment similar to the Beatles "Sgt Pepper". And, there are songs such as "Wonderful" which is simply pure Everclear. This album isn't perfect though: there is a cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" which I thought was not necessary, and "Unemployed Boyfriend" uses an annoying voice over of a women talking about how she meets this guy at the unemployment office. However, there are many gems. "Wonderful" displays Everclear's great song writing ability; the hard-biting lyrics will remind you "Father of Mine". "Here We Go Again" and "AM Radio" have a funky back beat and are very catchy. This album is definitely the "Sgt Boutique" for Everclear. I hope they continue to produce songs with meaningful lyrics, depth, and variety.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Lyrics + Diversity = Success, July 11, 2000

By A Customer

This is the most "poppy" (yet in the best sense of the word) and diverse Everclear album yet. Each song is unique, which leaves the listener far from bored.

"AM Radio" is a perfect example of this. In it, Art raps to a same of Jean Knight's "Mr Big Stuff," while reminiscing about the '70's and the AM radio that he grew up with. Additionally, the song "Here We Go Again" samples "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy. In stark contrast, the remake of "Annabella's Song" features a 40-piece orchestra arranged by Mort Lindsey, who also worked with Sinatra.

"Otis Redding" and "Learning How to Smile" are my personal favorites. They are very melodic and have choruses that will make you want to sing along. The cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" has been taken under Everclear's wing, as if it were there own. It is hard to distinguish as different from any other song on the album; it fits so perfectly among all the original songs.

Other songs, such as the acoustic reprise of "Song from an American Movie," and "Thrift Store Chair," are short but sweet. The simplicity and intimacy make these songs great. Other songs, such as "Wonderful" and "Now That It's Over" will really hit home with some people, as they deal with Art Alexakis' recent divorce. The light-hearted love songs, "Unemployed Boyfriend" and the "The Honeymoon Song" (the latter written by the band's drummer, Greg Eklund), are enough to make any listener smile a little.

Yes, Alexakis, along with anyone else who listens to this album, will learn how to smile. This is quite a departure from the old Everclear sound, which will be picked up with "Songs from an American Movie, Vol. Two: Good Time for a Bad Attitude," due out around Thanksgiving. Look forward to that if you are looking for a really "rockin'" sound.

This is an album that will surprise and delight even the biggest Everclear fan. I definitely recommend it to anyone. If this were the soundtrack to an American movie, it would sure be a great one!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisitely Everclear!, July 20, 2000

By	Jennifer M. Galvan (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

With the advent of Everclear's new CD, "Songs From An American Movie, Vol. One: Learning How To Smile," comes an exquisite new breed of musical styling for Everclear. Although "American Movie" demonstrates the softer side of Everclear, it will please both new listeners as well as "die-hard/tried and true" Everclear fans. Songs like "Here We Go Again" and "AM Radio" display hints of 70's soul/pop. Other songs including "Wonderful," "Unemployed Boyfriend" and "Now That It's Over" have totally addictive rhythms which are coupled with the cutting down-to-earth/bottom line lyrics that front man Art Alexakis is famous for. The CD also contains a TOTALLY DIVINE cover of Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl."

The CD is a perfect blend of high-energy "shake your booty" songs as well as thoroughly enjoyable songs for "kick-back" listening. I find "American Movie" totally addictive. Each time I play the CD, I just want to dance and twirl around and around until I feel sick - just like when I was little girl. In fact, the CD may just prompt a new form of exercise for Everclear fans - EVERCLEAR-OBICS! I give it a 10+, 5-Star, A+ rating!