Customer Reviews

You've Got to Believe in Something

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The failure of this album boggles the mind. Personally, I think it's fantastic. Maybe people were hoping for a re-hash of Pocket Full of Kryptonite or something. Well, that's obviously not what this album is. A lot has changed since those days, some for the better, some for the worse, but in the end, the Spin Doctors remain a great band with a great sound. The title song which opens the album has a lot of soul to it, and it's unusual sound shows that the Doctors aren't afraid to try something new. The real highlights are She Used to Be Mine (the single they released----very funky and catchy----it should have been a hit), She's Not You (the SD's first slow, sad, love-song. It's beautifully written and played, and conveys a lot of feeling), To Make Me Blue (a charged, energetic song with great guitars), and Sister Sisyphus (a funk song that reminiscent of some of their earlier work). If Wishes Were Horses is also worth mentioning. Someone criticized it for it's goofy rhyming, but I think that person misunderstood the song. The lyrics are SUPPOSED to be a bit goofy. It's the way the song is----a bit silly, sometimes almost nonsensical, and just plain fun. Also, don't forget the SD's version of That's the Way I Like It (not listed on the album cover). It's another really fun song to listen to. Actually, all of the songs are good, except for Dogs on a Doe (#3), which was sort of lame and seemed out of place on this album. All in all, You've Got to Believe is something is a energetic, funky, fun, rock album that is a refreshing answer to the SD's second CD, the somewhat tired Turn it Upside Down. It is yet another example of a great work that has gone unappreciated. The people who decided not to buy it are missing out on something great.

I am an oddity, as far as Spin Doctors fans go. The first SD album I bought was Here Comes the Bride, which I bought on a whim because I had heard their songs "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't be Wrong" and thought that they were good. I enjoyed Here Comes the Bride a lot (even though they sounded quite a bit different than they did on those two singles, I had little idea of their history at that time) and wanted more of the Spin Doctors great instrumental expertise and wacky lyrics. I spent a few months hunting for PFOK (cuz I knew it was their most popular, and their first mass-released album) and finally found it in the back corner of a Sam Goody's (in the Tri-Cities of Washington) slowly gathering dust.

I was delighted by their old sound, and that album solidified me as a die-hard Spin fan. I just recently got this album (their third mass-released) and was again delighted by it. It sounds a bit different than PFOK, and a lot different from HCTB, but it is still vintige Spin Doctors, and again shows their evolution as artists.

This album, needless to say, is great. Check out the title track, for it's joyful chorus. And the sad love song that is "She's not You." It brings a singular tear to my eye. Also notable at "Sister Sisphyphus", and their hidden track "That's the Way (I like it)", (stick around for the kazozs bit at the end of the song, it's very funny).

I recommend this CD to anyone who likes the spin doctors (or their singles), anyone who likes cheerful, soulful, and a bit goofy songs, and anyone who likes good music.

Keep the chee up, y'all.

Youve got to believe in something is the soundtrack to the happiest times in my life. I bought it when I was 15 years old back in 1996. It is such an optimistic happy record with much heart and soul. If wishes were horses, Bout A Train and I cant believe youre still with her are 3 really good tunes to go along with all the other wonderful music on this record. Spin Doctors are truly one of the most underated bands in a long time because for whatever reason only their first album(and some recognition for their sophmore record) was recognized. This album would definitely be in my pick for one of the top ten of the decade. I bought it in 96' and I still love it today.

If you're planning on buying this album, you probably own (or at least have heard) Pocket Full Of Kryptonite. If you're expecting the same old stuff you may be disappointed at first, but trust me- you're in for a real treat!
The Sipn Doctors take a more antique-ish sound in this studio attempt and combine it with the great Spin sounds of Pocket Full Of Kryptonite. Some of the beast tracks are You've Got To Beleive In Something, House, To Make Me Blue, If Wishes Were Horses, and the unlisted bonus track (whatever it's called!) Don't turn your back on this one, it has to be heard to be belived.
While this album didn't exactly rake in the cash, it's actually BETTER than Pocket Full Of Kryptonite if you ask me! Spend a few dollars here, and you'll get 52 minutes of some of the best music you'll ever hear.

The Spin Doctors are one of the most underrated bands of the past decade, and the commercial failure of this album is truly a crime. You've Got to Believe In Something recaptures in the momentum they had on Pocketful of Kryptonite, and in some cases, it even surpasses it. Unlike the second album (Turn It Upside Down --- a good one, but a little tired-sounded), this album is brimming with their familiar funk-rock-blues synthesis, and with energy and vigor. You've Got to Believe In Something is also the title of the opening tract. It's a bit different for the Spin Doctors, but it rocks, in fact, it even has a soulful sound to it. House has a lot of acoustic guitar in it in addition to the customary electric one, but it is a fun song that I would describe as I rock with a hip-hop influence. Dogs On A Doe is the albums one weak spot. It doesn't really fit on hear, and the doesn't sound all that great. I Can't Believe You're Still With Her is a pop song with excellent lyrics and a fun sound. She Used to Mine is the real treat on this CD though. It has everything --- a funky sound, great singing, a soulful chorus, and wonderful lyrics. It really, REALLY should have been a hit. She's Not You is slow, sad, and touching song. The next track, To Make Me Blue, is a marked contrast --- a very energetic rock song. 'Bout A Train is one of the best rock-blues songs you'll ever here. I can't do it justice ... you simply have to hear it for yourself. Where Angels Fear To Tread and If Wishes Were Horses are both very enjoyable pop songs, especially the latter (a bit goofy, but still great). Sister Sisyphus is a feast if you like funk-rock, like I do. Last but not least, there is the unlisted tract, a cover of That's The Way I Like It. It's obvious that the Spin Doctors had a lot of fun recording it, and I certainly have fun listening to it, although the part in the middle is ..... well, interesting (you'll see what I mean). On the whole, I was very impressed with both the music and Chris Barron's singing, and I think this is the band's strongest album lyrically. Also, it is just plain fun to listen too --- a good thing to pick you up when you're a bit blue --- upbeat, yet at the same time not overly perky or pop. People who turned away from this album don't know what they are missing.

Why the heck did this album fail? Its a fun album only the Spin Doctors could pull off. The single (she used to be mine) is a little repetitive, but all the other songs are really strong. The docs should have released Sister Sysiphis as a single, thats the best song on the CD. its totally funky. House sounds a lot better live, but the bridge was really cool on this CD. Buy it! Its worth it!

I've remained a steadfast Spin Doctors fan for about 20 years now. I bought this album when it was first released, and I remember being really thrilled about it during high school.

To appreciate the album completely, it helps to know what was going on in the band at the time.
Eric left the band, and a replacement was brought in, Anthony. They recorded this album.
Chris Barron has a stronger influence on this album, and he tends to pull the band away from the jams, and more toward the songs. He also tends to be a little less harder-edged than the other guys. He likes his love songs!

The album is more heavily new material. In fact, only three of the songs had some time to be road-tested before being arranged for the album.
The new material is fun, but the fact that they aren't written by the whole band seems a bit more obvious. Some of the new songs escape that easy classification though - She Used To Be Mine sounds like it was more of a band effort, since they groove a little more heavily than usual. Dogs On A Doe sounds this way too.
There's still some of Barron's silliness too - I Can't Believe You're Still With Her has a goofiness that I admire Barron for bringing to the table. Same thing with You've Got To Believe in Something.

Speaking of which, I love hearing the toy piano at the beginning of that track.

It's a varied album. There are serious grooves, some very loose tracks like She's Not You, and some very straight songs like Where Angels Fear To Tread.

The songs of serious note on the album would be House, 'Bout A Train, and Sister Sisyphus.
House is a very different arrangement from the one they would play with Eric in the band. It's still a solid track, and I like that they were willing to use the studio to try something different than usual.
'Bout A Train also uses a different arrangement, but I actually like this one a bit more. It's solidly assembled, and the sound is thick.
Sister Sisyphus is just brilliant. It's a compact track, only about 4 minutes long, but the drums... the bass... the funky guitar... it's all put together like clockwork. It's not as wild as the live versions, but this one has such a tight performance, it's really one of my favorite things they've recorded. I have some reservations about the horns on the track; mostly just that they don't sound natural to my ear.

After this album came out, the band fired Anthony. It's sort of a shame; I really liked some of his work on these tracks, and I feel like he was a good fit. But it's not to say that it's bad that they got Eric back.

Again, my same complaints about most of their studio work apply - the mix is not right for them. These mixes shortchange their strengths in favor of trying to sound like a single.

Simply Some of the best Funk Rock with a bluesy edge, great guitar tone and playing, inventive and original style, a freaking tight and insanely talented rhythm section with some of the best vocal range and lyrics around. I miss them, and wish them back to the industry for us musician's sake!!! Definitely one of the best bands to come from the 90's. Balls and total funk enjoyment.

With typical lead singing and back beat, this is a fair attempt at keeping the excitement going from their Pocketful of Krytonite. The lyrics are good, and so is the music, but little new appears in either case.

not to bash the doc's...but this is the worst ive heard. I bought "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" on a whim, absolutely loved it, and bought this album just 20 minutes ago. simply awful...redundant, whiny, the vocals barely held a note. the only bearable song is sister sysiphus. If you like their sound, get pocket full of kryptonite.