Customer Reviews

Under the Influences

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought that a formidable follow up to Cheating at Solitaire would be difficult. This album surpasses my expectations and then some. Ness mixes all his influences here along with his own unmistakable style to create an album so full of pure emotion that the listener can't help but be inspired. This album is for anyone who has an appreciation for music. There's country, folk, punk, rock n'roll and pretty much anything else you'd want short of hip-hop. It's all here and it's all perfect. The most amazing thing about it is that it was done so quickly. Does this guy sleep? It seems that I just saw him performing last week and already he has another album on the shelves. Ness is a true musician who appreciates not only his influences but his fans as well. His dedication to himself and to us is unmistakable and unparalleled.

I am writing this reveiw for anybody who read Mr Roulette's reveiw and for him.like Mr Roulette when I first listened to this CD it didn't go back into my player for weeks.I thought Cheating at Solitaire was a great album,but I just couldn't adjust to this one.however when I gave it a second chance I realized just how good this album was.No its not as good as Solitaire,and its a far cry from Social D....and yes Ness' best work is when he writes the music.However he is very respectable on this CD,and to Mr Roulette and anybody else who prematurly judged this album,all I can say is give it another spin!

This is a good cd. Mike Ness gives his heart and soul to these old clasic songs. My favorite is his cover of Big Iron. I would first recomend Cheating at Salitaire. Cheating at Salitaire is the best CD I have heard in years. I love the concept of doing the songs that made the music we hear on the radio today. Overal this is a Good follow up to Mike Ness first solo CD.

P.S Dennis Danell we will miss you.

Over the last twenty years, Mike Ness hasn't been involved with much that I didn't love. This is certainly an exception to the rule. Let's face it, he had help with Cheating At Solitare... there were a lot of talented musicians and guest-vocalists at work on that one. Where Solitaire was rich in texture & deep in feeling, this one falls well short. Under The Influences sounds like it was rushed to catch the wave of excitement that his first solo record generated. Ness wanders frequently from the comforts of his limited vocal range. When he does, the result is disastrous. Mike's strength is his songwriting. An album of nothing but covers strays from his strength. I can respect that he might have needed to make this cd for personal reasons. 2 or 3 of these tunes would have been a welcomed addition to a collection of otherwise original material, but the rest are dead on arrival. Under The Influences is a case of too little, too soon. I do, however, trust in his talent...I will buy the next release when it comes out. I think younger fans will be able to better appreciate this effort. Older listeners, like myself, will be too familiar with the originals to really be able to sink their teeth into this rushed production. It does play well in his live shows...don't pass on those. Mike's problem is that he has already shown me that he is capable of much more than this.

Mike Ness' Under the influences is just that, true influences for every style of music. When I bought this cd the second thing I did was buy all of the origional material and it all blew my mind. Every song made to honor the origional artist. Remaking the likes of Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, and the Clash is a hard task for anyone, a task that should not be taken litely. This cd brings more than just good music it brings an added repect for the songs of the past, the songs that helped make the music of today. Overall a good buy.

this album is really good beter than i thought it would be after reading the reviews from some of the people at cdnow. i like the song ball and chain but it sounds even better as a honky tonk song. mike ness's voice sounds perfect for these country songs that he has covered he does a great version of i fought the law. better than cheating even though cheating is a great album. keep them coming mike your fans will buy them

"Under the Influence" is a great piece of work. I have no problem mixing this CD on the carousel with John Doe, Phil Alvin, Hank Williams and Social Distortion. As somebody else previously said here, I can't wait for Volume 2. He went back to his influences of, Rockabilly, Hillbilly, and old Country, with some Social Distortion brought along and he did it well. For my tastes I wouldn't call this better or worse than any of his previous efforts, it's just another fine CD out of Mike Ness.

Needless to say most artists fall short on their sophomore attempts. Can't say that about Mike Ness! Under the Influences fllows Mike on his solo career after his first album Cheating at Solitaire. It proves the talent of an artist when a founding forefather of the punk rock movement can release an album that shines as a country-western jewel! Packed with clssic cover songs, mike proves his gritty one of a kind voice can lend a breathe of freshness to great songs we had nearly forgotten. I have let countless people hear this album, from my mother to my girlfriend, and they all love it! This is one record that won't leave your stereo!

On this CD, a tribute album, Ness pays homage to all those ballsy men who came before him. From Hank Williams to Carl Perkins to Marty Robbins, this album is a testosterone-filled good time.

So, Ladies, if you are looking for romance and candlelight...you won't find it here. But if you are looking for an album that might make you want to start a bar brawl or have a one night stand with some heavily tattooed biker...look no farther.

(My only question is this...the front cover says this is Volume One. Were they just teasing? Where is Volume Two already?)

I saw Mike Ness perform last night at Slim's in San Francisco. It was a great show even though most of the songs were from the first album (no problem with that). There is just something about the man when you see him live. In any case, Under the Influences is definitely a good cover album. Songs from George Jones to Hank Williams, great tribute to great American Roots music heroes. It just doesn't have the same effect as Cheating at Solitaire does. Seems like Mike was a lot more restricted in this album. I have to admit that the album starts out with a bang with "All I can do is Cry". All in all this is a good album and any Mike Ness fan should have this in their collection. Once again, if you are expecting a Social Distortion album, you will be highly disappointed. Mike Ness has always been that musician for me that I could listen to when feeling low spirited. His music has always been heart felt. This still is the case in Under the Influences even though they are all covers. By the way, the Road Kings who opened up for Mike Ness was also an excellent band. Great Job Mike......... Hope to see ya on the road again.