Customer Reviews

Sublime Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Let's face it: Sublime had charisma; they had energy; they had it all, but they weren't exactly the tightest band when it came to their live shows. Not that it mattered; Sublime's performances depended upon many things: energy; spontanaeity; and, ultimately, what their audiences gave them in return. But even then, those things didn't elevate the shows to godly heights. Sometimes... well, more than sometimes, Brad was simply off his nut, and all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't tighten things up as they should have been.

But it doesn't matter now, does it?

Listening to this cd is the musical equivalent of hanging out at a laid back party, having a beer and a b**g-hit, chillin' with your buddies and groovin' to some sweet music brought to you courtesy Bradley Nowell, one of the greater songwriters of the last twenty years. While it's incredibly rich on atmosphere, Brad doesn't exactly nail it in every song. A lot of the time it sounds as though he's already had more to drink or smoke than you have, but hey, again, it doesn't matter, because these last few records from Sublime will serve as the final documents of a superbly brilliant songwriter, the likes of which we won't see again for some time.

Nowell wrote from the heart and he sang his heart at every step. Few singers have shown themselves to be as emotionally direct or as honest as he had been. He wasn't overly preoccupied with finger pointing or rooting out hypocrites as lesser songwriters are apt to do. He was genuine, and he wasn't afraid to wear it on his sleeve, flaws and all.

Bye, Brad.

I am a long time listener of sublime, and I greatly enjoyed this album. Sublime for years has been well known for its ability to mix a wide variety of styles. This CD captures the laid back acoustic songs that were only hinted in previous albums. It shows the raw power that Bradley held, and once again shows us that Bradleys death was truly a tragic one. This album also delivers a new look at some old favorites such as "Don't Push", and "Wrong Way". I would recommend this album to any fan of sublime, or anyone who has a love for good music. Through this album, Brad lives on.

Listenin to this album makes me realize that on most occasions I think id rather listen to brad and his guitar than have sex.. i dont know if that makes me weird but i wouldnt say it if it wasnt true...SO BUY IT!! Even when hes drunk out of his mind hes still a genius! Saw Red, Boss dj, Mary, This train, Dont push, Freeway Time, and of course pool shark are all legendary trax..

When I first listened to this album, starting on track 1, I had concerns that I had made a mistake buying the cd. I've probably never heard Wrong Way sound more terrible. But I fortunately listened to the entire cd and found that most of the cd was quite good. What no one here mentions though is that Wrong Way, Mary/Big Salty Tears, Garden Grove, and KRS-One (all played at the same place: 'Cattleman's Wharf, Anaheim, CA' according to the CD case) sound horrible. I'm under the suspicion that Bradley was profusely drunk when he sang this, and it is definitely not Sublime's finest hour. However, every other song on the cd is fine. I personally fell in love with Don't Push, finding it a refreshing change from the punked out release from 40 oz. to freedom. And that happens a lot on the cd which shows a softer edge to some of Sublime's more reputable releases. Some of my favorite songs on here are Saw Red, Boss D.J., Marley Medley, Freeway Time In L.A. County Jail, and like I said before Don't Push. Yes the recording quality is not fantastic, but it serves all general needs and purposes and seems to just give the cd more character making me like it all the more. You get more of the feeling of who this guy was listening to this cd, then any of the other cd's released from the group. And that would be almost enough to get it five stars if it weren't for the [people]who put together this cd, adding the songs from the wharf to fill up space and make it releasable. It would have been better if they'd have just made it a 11 track cd. All in all though, it's a great cd and I suggest that if you are a fan of Sublime that you buy it.

This Cd was put out after Bradley Died.... and is poor quality. However if you are a die hard sublime fan and need some more Sublime than this is an amazing cd! i love it. Brads obviously quite drunk while singing most of it... but there are hints of his immense musical talent heard throughout the cd

This is a truly great album. However, if you didn't know who Brad Nowell was before you looked at this CD, turn around. It's not for you.

The hardcore Sublime fans should enjoy this collection of unreleased acoustical performances. Obviously is is a minor departure from his typical ska/reggae/rock. Interestingly, many of these songs were "works in progress" and eventually evolved into real, released songs (or parts thereof), such as "Saw Red," "Big Salty Tears" (it merged into Wrong Way) "Garden Grove," and KRS One. Although these tracks weren't intended for release, Brad makes it work.

The best songs are: "Saw Red," " KRS-One," "Foolish Fool," and "Boss DJ."

I recall someone saying that the quality of this album is bad, but that's because this is a compilation of rare demos and live tracks.... they weren't professionally recorded in a studio, making this a CD full of rare treasures. Don't buy this unless you truly like Sublime's music. I do think they could have had a longer version of "Wrong Way", though... 45 seconds isn't nearly enough. But the rest of the songs are great!!! This is a great way to remember Bbradley Nowell and I sure hope the profits go towards the Nowell family to help support Bradley's child.

The first album i heard by sublime was 40 oz. And this was a little while before he passed on. I instantly fell in love with sublime. But to tell you the truth, hearing the two acoustic songs on 40, and then hearing the three acoustics on "robbin". I Have really come to like acoustic bradley more than the sound sublime as a whole has. I do like the reggae, ska, and punk stuff they do, but his voice and words are so beautifull, i feel more moved when hes acoustic. This album is to me the album to remember him by. His mellow stuff on this album is kind of like jeff buckley, but less "artsy". And unfortunately jeff has also retired to a better place. But lets not remember how they died, lets remember how they make us live.

This is a great album, but only from the standpoint that Brad was a great artist. The recording quality is that of a bootleg, which, essentially, it is. You will find that you already own all the songs on it, just sung without drunken crowds, and in recording studios, on other albums.

I bought it because I'm a nut for sublime. I like the album. And I pull it out every once in a while to listen to it (I especially like "Saw Red")... But I find myself more reaching for Second Hand Smoke or 40oz more often.

You can put this album in the "Robbin' the Hood" category. Robbin' was a great album (and one of my all time favorites), but really difficult to listen to for very long or continually.

Art, but tragic art.

well I'm a HUGE fan of sublime. and I've been one for a very long time. I'll have to say that this is Sublime's best album. oh and the person before that said some of them are crap well he probably thought that because there are lot's of people talking in the backround of some of the songs. those songs are from The Firecracker Lounge. a place run by Gwen Stefani. and that wrong way demo, that's from there too. that performance is his best ever. it was pretty much him tellin stories all night long and playin on his accoustic. well for all you BIG sublime fans. get this CD. but if the only CD you have is the self titled one and you only like Wrong Way, Santeria, and all the big name ones...don't waste your money and find a different band. peace out