These Are The Good Times People

The Presidents of The United States of America

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 11, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fugitive Recordings/EMI
• ASIN: B0012L31RA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,625 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Chris Ballew's quirky Presidents didn't exactly rise from the vaunted Seattle scene of the early '90s and step gleefully outside its often constraining alt-rock clichés to forge an unlikely stardom on their own, often goofy terms. Here, they not only continue the refinement of their humorous ethos begun on 2000's reformation album, Freaked Out and Small, (and continued on 2004's Love Everybody,) but expands it outward with the help of new guitarist Andrew McKeag (replacing co-founder Dave Dederer) and veteran Seattle producer Kurt Bloch. If the effervescent opener "Mixed up S.O.B.," and lyrically precious tracks like "Ladybug" and "More Bad Times" can seem beholden to the band's earlier freewheeling fancies, there's a sharper, more satisfying musical/lyrical focus on the Francophobic sarcasm of "French Girl" and irresistible, stream-of-consciousness country psych of "Truckstop Butterfly." The languorous "Loose Balloon" and feverishly swinging, horn-punctuated "Flame is Love" show just how far the Presidents' second coming has pushed their previous, punk rock-dominated envelope, before the slinky, closing funk workout "Deleter" (featuring sassy turns by r&b singer Fysah Thomas) busts it wide open. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
Japanese pressing of 2008 album from the Alt-Rock trio features one bonus track ('Rooftops In Spain') plus enhanced content. With These Are The Good Times People, new and old fans alike should find little problem joining the party with PUSA circa 2008. 'I know this stands up strong against our entire catalog. And I hope our fans agree. We've finally gotten to the point where we can let the vibe come to us and then we jump out at it and reel it in. I think we've really brought our `A' game to this album. I feel like we've given as much as we ever have on this record.' Forgoing the director role he has assumed in the past, Ballew says a democratic dynamic steered the project and greatly improved the energy of the band. Playing to their strengths on this CD, Chris concedes, 'I've just kind of learned over time that it's a lot of stress for me and I don't necessarily end up with something better. I just decided to lay back and not care while caring deeply, letting the cream rise to the top.' EMI. 2008. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as ever, if not better!, March 14, 2008

By	T. Smith (Olympia, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On These Are The Good Times People, the Presidents continue their streak of making absurdly fun, eminently-listenable punk-pop gems. There's not a bad song in the bunch here, something that is almost always the case, but couldn't necessarily be said for the last album. While there's not a lot here to pull in someone who didn't care for them before, they do break some new ground on a few of the tracks.

"Sharpen Up Those Fangs" is the kind of song that gets in my head all day and just won't leave. The lyrics are fun and catchy, but with enough weight and mystery to keep you thinking, as well as a song structure that makes it anything but boring.

The Presidents also branch out a bit with the Stray Cat-esque number, "Flame is Love", bringing in a horn section and a jazzy sound while still rocking the joint.

In the vein of "Tremelo Blooz", "Back Porch", and maybe even a bit of "Highway Forever" (off of their previous albums), there comes "Truckstop Butterfly" a great little twangy hoe-down number about, you guessed it, a butterfly at a truck stop.

Finally, perhaps my favorite of the album is "Deleter." Bringing in backup female vocals courtesy of nu-jazz singer (and fellow Seattle-ite) Fysah Thomas, The Presidents manage a sound quite unlike anything they've ever done before. It's still upbeat, incredibly fun, and rockin' like nobody's business, but it is quite unique in the Presidents' catalog.

If you remember Peaches, Lump, or Kitty, or even if you just like fun rock & roll, you owe it to yourself to give this album a try. It's the Presidents as they've always been... only better!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smart, wildly entertaining rock and roll, March 12, 2008

By	RadioNDN "RadioNDN" (Midwestern USA) - See all my reviews

I will say this about the new album from Seattle based band the President of the United States of America, and it is this: If you didn't like them before, you probably won't like them now. However, if you were a fan of their absurdly catchy punk-fueled pop music, with lyrics given to satire, irony and general goofiness, then you're going to love These Are Good Times People. They were on FIRE when they made this one, racing through 14 tracks, mostly hitting highs, with no real lows. They've also gotten more sophisticated with the song arrangements, adding a horn section to some songs, as well as other clever and subtle touches here and there, all to enhance your listening pleasure. These Are Good Times People is just a lot of smart, wildy entertaining rock and roll fun, the kind of album where your favorite tracks are bound to change the more you listen to it. Standout cuts: "Mixed Up S.O.B.," "Sharpen Up Those Fangs," "More Bad Times" and "Riot In The Sun."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Octane album by PUSA, March 26, 2008

By	K. S. Pang "AlanP" (Illinois, HK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: These Are The Good Times People (MP3 Download)

A satisfying album by PUSA. PUSA fans love it including me. Nothing changed drastically. New elements from their previous albums were also used in this album (piano, conga...). The music approach is similar
Love Everybody'.

Opening first track is 'Mixed-up SOB'. I thought I don't like their first single UNTIL I turn up my speakers. Hey folks, it's rock music gotta turn it up and feel the earth shakes. My next favorite track is 'French Girl'. It's such a funny song. All their songs are catchy and sing-along ready. Check out 'Deleter', there's a nice guest female vocal on this track. What a sensational song!!!

I don't know how many of you think of this. For each album they released, it's a reward for the well-established fan. For my point of view, they're really just wanting to deliver their unique music to their loyal fans more than fame, money, etc like any other bands. A fan like me enjoy it this way!