Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(135)
4 star:		(67)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

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.

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!

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! :-)

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!

*-and Craig and Greg. Everclear's fourth full-length album, "Songs from an American movie, Vol. 1, Learning How To Smile", is Everclear's most accessible album yet, though that's not necessarily a bad thing at all. This is one of those albums that not only works quite well as a whole (the concept here, from what I have gathered, is Art's life or what could be many people's lives...falling in and out of love, growing up, hearing your favorite song on the radio, divorce, etc.), but also has many great moments of individual songs. Here's a track by track lowdown:

"Song From An American Movie, Pt. 1" is brief, yet fairly touching account of love for your child. Short and sweet.

"Here We Go Again" is real uptempo, laced with a Public Enemy sample and horns. It's as hip-hop as Everclear will probably ever get. The topic here: remembering falling in love.

"AM Radio" screams "radio single" because it's so catchy, upbeat, and effectively uses a sample from "Mr. Big Stuff" to hold it all together. The topic here: growing up all the while having music hold it all together. It's a song that I can not only relate to, but it's also one of the best ones on here.

"Brown Eyed Girl" is a cover of the legendary Van Morrison song. It's an uptempo rendition that has Everclear's stamp all over it, from the bass/drum interaction to Art's trademark vocals. Another potential radio song.

"Learning How To Smile" is where the strings kick in. Not my favorite track on here, it sounds the most like a song recorded for "So Much For The Afterglow". The topic here: holding on to your love.

"The Honeymoon Song" is where you have to make sure you've got the right CD in the player. The gentle, Hawaiian mandolin atmosphere created here is quite nice, coupled with Greg's (yes, Greg's) lead vocal make this the best lost 70's Beach Boys song I've ever heard.

"Now That It's Over" begins as a rewrite of "When The Levee Breaks", then rides the drum beat into what sounds like a chamberlain in the background, creating a sort of carnivalesque atmosphere. One of the best songs on here. The topic here: picking it all up now that the relationship is over.

"Thrift Store Chair" is a brief, countrified account of figuring it all out once it's over, doing what you can to cope. Nice little song.

"Otis Redding" is an account about looking back, wishing you could change or relive the past. Musically, it's a straightforward Everclear song, and it flows well.

"Unemployed Boyfriend" is more straightforward Everclear, interspersed with the annoying sound of a girl leaving a message on an answering machine. The only track on here I don't like.

"Wonderful" is the first single, the tale of a divorce, seen through the innocent child. It's the Everclear you know and love, both musically and lyrically.

The last track, "Annabella's Song" is a gentle lullaby that is a fitting closer. It's very nicely done, thoughtful and touching.

Overall, this is a great album. The expansion of Everclear's sound is great, and nothing on here sounds particularly tired or out of place. It's the great pop record I'm sure Art always wanted to make. If you think it sounds too soft for you, borrow it from a friend before you judge. If it is, just wait until this fall, when, I'm told, Vol. 2 will be out, rocking harder, sounding more like the post-punk 3 angry men a lot of Everclear fans love most. I can't wait, but I'm "wonderful" for the time being.

The "Wonderful" music video was my introduction to Everclear's music. Being a child of divorce, this video and song struck a chord in me that hadn't sounded in years. I bought "Songs From An American Movie Vol. One" and found an interesting collection of songs, reflective of the sorts of changes one goes through after marriage and parenthood. "Song from an American Movie Pt. 1", "The Honeymoon Song", "Thrift Store Chair", and "Annabella's Song" will mean something to listeners who are married and/or have children. Of this batch, I most appreciate "Thrift Store Chair", though Alexakis underuses the king-size bed metaphor. "Song from an American Movie Pt. 1" is short and undeveloped. "Annabella's Song" is a pretty lullaby. The remaining songs are primarily reminiscences; of these, "AM Radio", "Otis Redding", and Unemployed Boyfriend" stand out. "Otis Redding" is one of my favorite songs; the crux of the song rests on the lines "I wish I had one more life/how I wish I had one more life to live". The song is a bit slow, but its pleading for a new life is affecting. Given that marriage and parenthood awaken old memories and prompt a reassessment of one's life, I suspect this album is meant as a greeting card to those experiencing similar life changes.

Given that I listen primarily to classical music and bluegrass, I must say this CD surprised me. Good music is actually being produced in the rock genre nowadays. I found many of the songs on this CD, especially aspects of "Unemployed Boyfriend", reminding me of the Kinks. (Musically, the groups are quite different, but lyrically, they share a kindred spirit. See "Well Respected Man", for example.) I have heard "So Much for the Afterglow", and this CD is much different in style to its predecessor. If you like the "harder" sound of Everclear, you may not like this new CD. I really fully enjoy only five songs on each of these CDs, so the change in styles is not a big deal for me.

"Wonderful" is a very good song, but it makes for a better music video. Anyone who wants to understand the feelings a child experiences during a divorce should see this video--it's quite accurate. Of the twelve songs, I listen to the last five tracks regularly: "Thrift Store Chair", "Otis Redding", "Unemployed Boyfriend", "Wonderful", "Annabella's Song".

If you don't want to like today's rock music, give this album a try. It has some good things to say. If you like today's rock music, then you probably have this one on your shelves already. I hope you like it.

I miss the old Everclear! I was really excited to see a new album come out.. but I guess I'll stick to the old CD's. They seem to have softened up alot. I'm not completely disapointed so I think it deserves 3 stars.

I must admit I was disappointed at first. However, after listening a couple of times and not considering the fact it was Everclear, I began to value it as a hole. This is an incredibly diverse CD. Many expect it to be a replica of their previous albums. This, it is not. Nevertheless, their talent shines!

I simply love "Learning How to Smile" along with "Hear we go Again" It keeps the feel good beat along with the not so upbeat lyrics. To be honest, I bought this CD without hearing any of the singles on the radio yet and I figured "Learning how to Smile" was the single. It is a great song you'll love it. "Wonderful" is classic Everclear. And Greg's "honeymoon song", it's hard to believe he hasn't written more in the past. The song has mood to it. However, this, more than any other track on the album, needs to be heard to with a very, very open mind. It is not common to hear anything like it from this type of a band. I hated it when I first bought the CD and woried the remaining tracks would sound like it. The Cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" is good however some may find it non obligatory for the album. "AM radio" should bring back mimories for some. "Unemployed Boyfriend" I adore, it is a girls song.

This album, beyond doubt, demonstrates their vast tallent and gives a new, more of a feel good attitude then the rest of their albums.

Just Wonderful!

If this work had come out early in Everclear's career, I doubt there would be an Everclear today. The songs with their new sound just don't work and the others just sound like so much rehashed material. Unemployed Boyfriend is destroyed by the annoying female narrative. Thrift Store Chair is a great song worthy of Everclear. Honeymoon Song, when was the last time you hit the "skip button" during an Everclear CD? Brown Eyed Girl...no reason for this one. Don't cover a song unless you can make it your own. AM Radio....how old are these guys? Now That it's Over another great song...the rest of the CD is neither good nor bad....just filler.

It's pretty rare that I pick up a mainstream pop album. I'm not knocking it, but my tastes tend to run more towards metal and classic rock. Anyway, I took a chance on Everclear's 2000 release Songs from an American Movie, Volume 1 - Learning How to Smile based on the strength of the radio hits Wonderful and A.M. Radio, and was surprised at just how much I enjoyed the album.

I was familiar with the band, but the material on this album definitely wasn't the alterna-rocking Everclear I remembered. This is a smart, well-crafted, upbeat pop album that despite what some other reviewers would have you believe actually contains little to no "filler". In fact, aside from the way too tranquil closing track Annabella's Song, the hit single Wonderful is probably the only song that I'm tired of hearing, and that's due more to radio fatigue than anything else. The album is crammed full of fantastic songs, but there are a few that really stand out. A.M. Radio is just a fun track, Now That It's Over is brilliant for having such a dark message in counterpoint to the beautiful music, and Unemployed Boyfriend is one of the better love songs I've heard in a long time. Everclear's version of Brown Eyed Girl is quite good as well.

It's a shame the band's follow-up album wasn't as good, or I might have become an Everclear fan. Still, I have to give the band credit for creating a near-perfect pop album that I find myself listening to on a regular basis seven years after its release. How often does that happen with most pop albums?