Customer Reviews

Welcome to the Drama Club

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A lot has changed for Art Alexakis since the last time Everclear released a full length album in 2003. He has declared bankruptcy, divorced for the 3rd time, and Craig Montoya and Greg Eklund, his bandmates for 11 years left to do other projects, all within a year. Take that into consideration when listening to the album.

He has since rebanded with 4 new members including a keyboardist to form a more "mellower" Everclear sound similar to the Everclear of old, but different. That's due in part to the keyboards and the workmanship of the new members of the band.

Most of the album was recorded from live takes with everyone in the studio, something that hasn't been heard from Everclear in several years. The album has a lush sound similar to So Much For The Afterglow, but without the sweet production.

The album deals with Art Alexakis' realization of his sex addiction, his wrongdoings, and is a journal of his life from the past few years. That is something you can easily hear from songs like 'Now', 'Broken', 'The Drama King', and 'Shine'.

I really enjoyed this album, and have to say this album is a huge improvement over 'Slow Motion Daydream', which I hate. I really enjoy songs like 'Taste of Hell', 'Portland Rain', 'Now', and 'A Shameless Use of Charm' which sound like the typical Everclear song but definately have a new element in them that is interesting. 'A Shameless Use of Charm' sounds like a Ben Folds song, and 'Portland Rain' has a 'Maroon 5-ish' pop vibe going on, which is actually worth listening to and has some of the best guitar work on an Everclear related album in years.

The faults of the album were the lyrical content, which aren't as articulate and thought provoking as some of the lyrics found on the earlier albums, but I really don't think it matters for the songs as I still feel his message is expressed in a meaningful way, take for example, 'The Drama King'. And if you want to base judgement on the album after hearing 'Hater', don't, because it's the worst song on the album and really is out of place with the rest of the songs.

Give it another chance!

The last few years have been rough on Everclear. The band's sixth album, 2003's "Slow Motion Daydream," was an artistic and commercial disappointment. Conflict between singer/guitarist Art Alexakis and bassist Craig Montoya over the band's musical direction resulted in Montoya's departure (leaving Alexakis as Everclear's only original member), along with longtime drummer Greg Eklund. A career retrospective disc ended the band's relationship with Capitol Records. Alexakis suffered a divorce and bankruptcy. Most fans probably assumed they'd heard the last of the band, but Art Alexakis is back in 2006 with an entirely new five-piece Everclear, a new record label, and a new album, "Welcome to the Drama Club."

Musically, the news is mostly good. Fans may miss the signature style of the Montoya/Eklund rhythm section, but the larger, more keyboard-driven band fleshes out the sound nicely. "Drama Club" mostly avoids Everclear's usual wall of electric guitars, favoring a mellower style akin to 2000's "Songs from an American Movie, Vol. One." Art Alexakis turns in his catchiest set of tunes in a while, stumbling only on a couple of misguided attempts to sound funky ("Shine," "Taste of Hell," and a head-scratchingly awful rap hidden after the last track). As usual, fans will spot playful allusions to past Everclear songs ("Under the Western Stars"' bridge recalls "When It All Goes Wrong Again," and "The Drama King" quotes the guitar intro from "Father of Mine"). After a few listens, "Broken," "Under the Western Stars," and "Your Arizona Room" will lodge themselves in your head alongside all the older Everclear classics.

Lyrically, however, Art disappoints. The silly album title proves dispiritingly accurate; the unrelenting focus is on sex and relationship drama and over 13 songs it gets obnoxious, especially since Art doesn't have anything particularly insightful to say. I can't help wishing that Art would grow up a little, find some new inspiration, and stop spinning his wheels analyzing his personal life endlessly in song after song-- or at least, find something new and interesting to say about it.

Yes, this cd is recieving some negative reviews and sure some people do not like the fact that two of the original three members are no longer with the band, but you have to remember that "Everclear was and always has been Art Alexakis, it was his passion and drive that got Everclear to fame in the nineties, and so now he forms a new band and calls it Everclear, again they still sound like the same guys that changed my life in the mid-nineties. I love everclear I can honestly says this, Art's Music means so much to me and it has gotten me through some really tough times, and although this cd might not be as technically perfect as the other boy band rock bands out today, you can still feel Art's love and passion come through and hopefully some 17 year old kid will hear this record like I did and it will change their life also.

So I say thank you Art for not giving up, and regardless of the reasons I appreciate the effort and am glad to have the new record, because I have liked artist in the past only to have them disappear, and it kills me not to have them anymore. So do not buy the hate, instead buy the album and remember what it is like to be young and have passion for life because that is what it is all about.

I first heard "Hater" around June or July of last year and couldn't wait for the rest of the album to be released. I have to say that I was and still am a little bit disappointed in "Hater" and agree with some who say that it is the weakest track on the album. But, it still has a great point and some amazing lyrics. Of course this is NOT the old Everclear, duh, it has new members so therefore a NEW sound. You cannot have success without change, and frankly, I think this change is for the better. Everclear has grown up, I believe. It is less teenage rock and more mid-life rock about having children, disappointment, and divorce. Tracks like Portland Rain and Your Arizona Room are my favorite. They are sad yet so incredibly meaningful, it's Art singing your life. This album is refreshing and truly a new, respectable sound for the band and for all that so called music that's out there now. This isn't something you'll hear churned out on the airwaves and that's why I've always stuck with Everclear, three or five. If you want OLD SCHOOL Everclear, listen to Colorfinger and stay in the nineties. "Welcome to the Drama Club" is music for today and tomorrow.

Similar to others, I miss the older, harder sound of Everclear, but if you ignore a few sing-song-y lyrics ("Losing my mind/nothing seems right") that seem out of place, it's an album that will grow on you. I like it better than "Slow Motion Daydream", and see it almost as good as "So Much For The Afterglow".

For those who criticized past Everclear albums for repeating the same sound, this album has a definite variance in sounds with Art's voice tying everything together. If you liked the "newer" Everclear sound, this is a positive progression from that and is worth the investment.

I was fully expecting to hate this CD. I love Everclear's oldies, but honestly, could find nothing I liked on Slow Motion Daydream. In my opinion, the better part of the content of that CD was crass, and most of the rest just wasn't very inspiring or creative. Therefore, I figured that Art had just run out of steam...once he had exhausted his supply of songs focusing on drug abuse (Sparkle and Fade, So Much for the Afterglow) and relationship issues (Songs From an American Movie), I wasn't sure what else he could write about - bankruptcy doesn't seem like a very appealing subject. :)

I'd listened to Hater online and really didn't think too much of it - kind of repetitive and sounded like it could have come off Slow Motion Daydream, but after reading the reviews here, I realized that those who were slagging this CD were actually slagging the band, not the CD (see my comment in response to one). Think what you may of the band, but this is a review of the album, regardless of the make up of the band or your views on Art Alexakis. So, after seeing them live recently (they rocked!) and liking Portland Rain live, I bought the album in the hopes that I'd at least get a song or two that would be listenable.

It really is an easy CD to listen to first time - something that's hard to achieve in anything but a radio-happy sell out. Subsequent listens take you deeper and deeper into the layers of the songs, and the content is definitely there. What I'm enjoying about this album is that the characters have been developed. The Drama King is reminiscent of some earlier songs that demonstrate empathy for the female perspective (Amphetamine and others), while the confessional Now shows a personal growth I haven't seen in Art's writing previously. Portland Rain, while a beautiful demonstration of longing, maintains its angry edge and doesn't descend into self-pity. Clean is a touching plea to his daughter, and one that most parents can relate to - wanting the best for their child and hoping like hell you don't let them down.

For the most part, Art seems to have got his head together, but then, we've all thought he's done that before (as he's probably thought also). There's definite growth in his writing on this album, and musically, this is a creative, diverse offering. Maybe that's thanks to the new line-up, or maybe it's Art back on track. Whatever, it's good - the larger band definitely gives the album a fuller sound without turning to fluff.

I guess my only gripes are the name and cover - I mean really, how cliche? If you can get past that though, you'll enjoy it - well, until you hit Annabella's truly horrid and cringe-worthy rap/harmonica piece right before Your Arizona Room. I don't know what Art had done that he had to make it up to his 13 year old daughter by giving her a "silent" track amongst the actual CD (seriously, Art, could you not have let her do it after a 10 minute silence after the last track or something? No, Art, it isn't cute, and she isn't that talented...why don't you sponsor her own CD so it doesn't screw up yours?), but it is terrible. Annabella, sweetie, if you're reading this, I'm sorry and keep trying to create music, but don't make your Daddy put it on his CD when he's trying to make a come back, ok?

Right, now that's out of my system, my overall impression of the CD is that this is a worthy return to form after the dismal Slow Motion Daydream. Welcome back!

I wasn't too happy with Everyclear's last two CDs...only played them a few times. But Welcome to the Drama Club grows on you right away. I have played it 8 times since I purchased it and it gets better with each playing. Shine and Hater are fun songs and might be hits. My personal favories are Glorious and Your Arizona Room. I agree that some of the songs seem like re-workings of past songs (I could swear I heard some of the same lines in other Everclear songs (skinney legs, taco bar, etc.))...but is that a bad thing? This is one of the few CDs I can play from start to finish and not have to skip a song.

Art Alexakis is just plain brilliant. He has a totally reconstituted band after a couple of brutal years, and it sounds better than ever. I always liked the guitar work on the prior albums, but their new player really brings something new and worthwhile.

Musically, Everclear offers a unique blend of funk, punk and a little country twang that adds up to catchy, edgy riffs that stay with you. Lyrically, Art's take on relationships, parenting, and internal pain never gets old. His music is required listening for parents.

Ironically, I think the single off the album, Hater, is one of the weaker cuts. My top 3, in order, are Portland Rain, Shameless Use of Charm and Under the Western Stars.

This is another absolutely great album from a band that has been knocking 'em out of the park for years.

With a new band lead singer Alexakis take the group in a slightly different musical direction. While the lyrics are the same familiar style of previous albums the music is more creative and less powerful than their previous work. Still, when needed they punch out emotional and hard rocking songs like "Hater" and "Taste of Hell". I found this album really grew quickly, but it took a few listens. Unlike many who have reviewed their music I feel that they are getting better with every release, creative yet true to their style. Standouts for me are "Now", "Hater", "Drama King", "Glorious", and "Portland Rain". Each song is creative and brings something to the table. I remember cranking their music over 12 years ago in Seattle and it's nice to see them continue growing as a band. True fans will not be disappointed.

Everclear came out with an album last year and I bet you didn't even hear about it. Titled "Welcome to the Drama Club", Everclear released the album on their own label and have been self promoting it.
I heard their first release "Hater" by stumbling across it on a google search. I tried to purchase it off the Everclear site but was unable to complete the transaction due to a disabled check out system.
Persistance pays...and I found this Amazon link...making it easy to check out. I thought about sending them the money directly...then opted for the Amazon check out...and the ability to screen the songs. I went with purchasing the entire album.
The album has been underpromoted...and if you ever hipped on Everclear you'll be elated that they have delivered an album true to their original style. If this had been their first album, it would launch Everclear all over again.
Listen and you will return to Everclear when you get tired of all the Everclear emulators.
YES!