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Editorial Reviews
The Alternate Routes return with their rock and roll grit, ghostly balladry and seasoned guitar rock anthems on their new sophomore release, A Sucker's Dream. Loosely based around a handful of themes--fortifying faith through adversity, holding onto hope as the dark horse--A Sucker's Dream builds on the gorgeous, melodic compositional work of the band's earlier works by adding decibels, power, vision and substantive ornamentation.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By F. de Jong
Format:Audio CD
Following up their superb first album "Good, Reckless and True", "A Sucker's Dream" is a stellar and solid mix of beautiful ballads and earthy rock melodies. Tim Warren's voice holds an emotional presence that articulates sincerity. I can not pick out any favourite song in particular as they are all worthy of a special mention. This album consists of perfect lazy afternoon tunes as well as songs with catchy, upbeat melodies. I can not stress enough how worthy this album is of your collection. The Alternate Routes are music's best kept secret.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've had this CD in my car for a week now and it just gets better and better. The songs are great, and I often find myself singing the choruses as I walk around. Woke up this morning singing parts of "Ain't no secret." And wait til you see them in concert. "The Future is Nothing New" features a toolbox as a percussion instrument. It sounds good on the CD but the crowd goes wild when they play it on stage. If you like good rock music, you'll love The Alternate Routes.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Doctor CD
Format:MP3 Music
I love The Alternate Routes. Their full-length debut, "Good and Reckless and True" was one of the best CDs of 2005 in my opinion; it was passionate, earnest, and organic. They followed this up with the highly respectable "Watershed EP", which certainly whet the appetite for this long awaited sophomore release.
"A Sucker's Dream" is no sophomore jinx, but I'm afraid it is not going to help make The Alternate Routes a household name - I hope I am wrong, because these guys have a monopoly on talent. I just don't think it is maximized on this record. Normally, vocalist Tim Warren contributes a rather extraordinary performance, but on this release he seems to take a backseat to everything else going on. That is a shame. I kept waiting for more spine-tinging moments like those experienced when listening to "Ordinary", but such moments never came. The songs are a bit busier, which is cool at times, but it often distracts from the organic feel that made "Good and Reckless and True" a winner for me. The one moment that is stripped down is the breezy "Desdemona", but this tune is so drawn out and dull even backing vocals from Patty Griffin fail to salvage it.
The good news is that The Alternate Routes have maintained their sense of melody and lyrical competence in the majority of the songs. One-liner gems like "The future's nothing new - just another day to miss the things we used to do" permeate the record. The chord changes are wonderful and Eric Donnelly's lead guitar work rivals that of Dada. And even though he seems to have avoided vocally challenging himself this time out, Tim Warren still sounds charming and soulful.... Read more ›
"A Sucker's Dream" is no sophomore jinx, but I'm afraid it is not going to help make The Alternate Routes a household name - I hope I am wrong, because these guys have a monopoly on talent. I just don't think it is maximized on this record. Normally, vocalist Tim Warren contributes a rather extraordinary performance, but on this release he seems to take a backseat to everything else going on. That is a shame. I kept waiting for more spine-tinging moments like those experienced when listening to "Ordinary", but such moments never came. The songs are a bit busier, which is cool at times, but it often distracts from the organic feel that made "Good and Reckless and True" a winner for me. The one moment that is stripped down is the breezy "Desdemona", but this tune is so drawn out and dull even backing vocals from Patty Griffin fail to salvage it.
The good news is that The Alternate Routes have maintained their sense of melody and lyrical competence in the majority of the songs. One-liner gems like "The future's nothing new - just another day to miss the things we used to do" permeate the record. The chord changes are wonderful and Eric Donnelly's lead guitar work rivals that of Dada. And even though he seems to have avoided vocally challenging himself this time out, Tim Warren still sounds charming and soulful.... Read more ›
By Rob Kiss
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A few really good songs on this cd. The rest is very solid. This is the kind of music I expect from Alternate Routes.
By E. Begody
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought the CD because I heard this band on Pandora.
The lyrics are strong and clear. My biggest complaint about contemporary pop and rock songs are the lyrics. I don't hear and understand them, so much that I've been questioning my hearing. However, this album was refreshing and clear.
I'd love to see them in concert to see how they sound live.
The lyrics are strong and clear. My biggest complaint about contemporary pop and rock songs are the lyrics. I don't hear and understand them, so much that I've been questioning my hearing. However, this album was refreshing and clear.
I'd love to see them in concert to see how they sound live.
By Nick P
Format:Audio CD
I discovered this band when they opened for Everclear a few years ago and was completely blown away! I immediately bought Good and Reckless and True and when this one came out I jumped all over it. If you are an old fan or a new fan, you will love this album. I love how they don't change their style of music just because it is a new album. I can't stand when bands do that. In this day in age when I am penny pinching and coasting on fumes...I do not regret at all the purchase of this album!
By B. Caffery
Format:Audio CD
On their sophomore release, the Alternate Routes have picked right up where they left off with Good and Reckless and True. And, for that matter, whether they'd like to acknowledge it or not, it seems to many listeners that they've picked up where Train left off back in '06. Their sound, while not landmark, is still refreshing. The album starts off swinging with 3 solid tracks building up to "The Future's Nothing New," the first single release and a fitting companion to singles past ("Aftermath," "Time is a Runaway"). The album then backs off a bit and settles things down with the next two tracks before reviving things with "Toe the Line" and the title track. All in all, this is an album worth having and a band worth keeping tabs on.
By L. Taylor
Format:Audio CD
A great rock mix with poignant lyrics and catchy beats make for a great album to listen and sing along to. Patty Griffin adds a little something extra to "Desdemona," and it's true--a toolbox makes a great instrument on "Future's Nothing New." The sounds are mellow and gentle, one ballad flowing into the next but still maintaining an individuality of its own. A great indie album!
