Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile

Everclear | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00004TWIT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (269 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,575 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Song from an American Movie, Pt. 1

2. Here We Go Again

3. A.M. Radio

4. Brown Eyed Girl

5. Learning How to Smile

6. The Honeymoon Song

7. Now That It's Over

8. Thrift Store Chair

9. Otis Redding

10. Unemployed Boyfriend

11. Wonderful

12. Annabella's Song

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

This review is from: Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile (Audio CD)

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 review is from: Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile (Audio CD)

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!

51 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *WONDERFUL!*, July 12, 2000

By 

Kori Frazier (Kent, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile (Audio CD)

The artwork on the compact disc of Everclear's latest album depicts the classic sad smiley face. Although this is a creative, and yes, fun design, I have to say that it completely disagrees with my thoughts about this album. Even though I am not a big fan of alternative music, Everclear's musical abilities greatly impress me. When I bought "So Much For the Afterglow" last year, I thought that it was a superb album. Yesterday, upon listening to this latest release, I was forced to reassess my opinion. "Songs From An American Movie" puts "Afterglow" to shame. I think that this is the first alternative album I have ever bought where I seriously like the majority of the CD. Also, as a fan of the culture of the late 1960s, I enjoyed the concept theme on this album that is prevalent in songs like "AM Radio" and "Otis Redding." Everclear's cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" is even better than the original. And of course, we can't overlook "Wonderful", which is probably the best Everclear song I have heard to date. The situation and message in this song has brought tears to my eyes every time I have listened to it; it is just too close to reality for many people that I know. Conclusively, this is an excellent CD. It is not exclusively for alternative fans, but can be enjoyed by anyone who just likes to listen to good music. I, a country and folk music fan, am walking proof of that! :-)