So Much for the Afterglow [ENHANCED]

Everclear

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 1997)
• Original Release Date: October 7, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002U2Q
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (425 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,502 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
"This is a song about Susan" is the first line of Everclear's follow-up to the deservedly platinum Sparkle and Fade. That personalization is one of Art Alexakis's greatest gifts to postgrunge rock; rather than float generalized rage over the ever-growing roar of his power trio, he tells you his stories, those of the people around him, some he makes up--and makes them all yours in the end. The development in the music here, from the Beach Boys-style chorale at the top of the title cut to the new wavey jerkiness of "Everything to Everyone" and "Normal Like You," boasts of not only the band's surefootedness but Alexakis's own generosity. The latter is best reflected in "Father of Mine," one of the saddest, most brutal songs about family ever. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful storytelling makes this a great album, June 3, 2000

By	A music fan (Newport Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

Everclear has done it again, producing another fantastic album full of remarkable tracks. So Much for the Afterglow captures senses of bitterness, anger, scorn, sadness, and longing as only an album by Art Alexakis and Everclear can. Each song has a distinctly 'Everclear' sound, which, the first time through might make it a tad difficult to distinguish some songs from others, but on repeated listens it becomes clear that every song is a gem.

Each song tells a story, a story of a brutal childhood in a dysfunctional family, of love that is anything but a fairy tale, of lost and broken Hollywood dreams. The truly amazing thing about this album is the fact that these stories aren't banal and tired. Alexakis really does make them personal stories, about real flesh and blood people. He tells these people's stories, some are his, some are of people he knows, some he's even made up, and each one has the power to make you really listen, to empathize with these people, to understand what Alexakis is trying to relate to you. It's an amazing album to listen to when you're down. It's incredibly cathartic to listen to these stories that are unpolished, rough, gutsy and real. This isn't some overproduced, syrupy album. It cuts deep and you'll find yourself listening to it again and again.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE ONE REVIEW YOU SHOULD READ, March 22, 2000

By	Andrew Breeden (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This is CD is extremely different, creative and genius. When I first bought it, I was so overwhelmed by its superiority that I could barely pick up the subtle undertones. Some CD's you can pick them up, listen to them hear everything and be through with it. This CD is not like that I promise. It won't fill you up or let you down. You'll always be hungry for more.

The lyrics take some time to digest. Even songs like, "I Will Buy You a New Life" are saying things without saying them. I order to fully understand them you need Sparkle and Fade and World of Noise. This CD is a little bit more clearly laid out than their previous CD. It's funny how the song may sound uplifting on first glance; the songs may sound uplifting. Good old Art can always make you feel like things might be better in a different world, though.

So Much For The Afterglow has a bit of a different sound to it. The guitars are a bit lighter, but still well used. The key difference, is the use of horns, strings and keyboards to give the album a bit of a richer, more pop feel to it. If your look for good old Everclear goodness, although you can always crank up "El Distorto de Melodica".

In conclusion, this CD is diverse and great. Everclear still takes the prize for greatest artist ever. Way to go Art, Craig and Greg, I look forward to your next effort. IF YOU ARE EVER LOOKING FOR A THERAPY SESSION POP IN SOME EVERCLEAR! (it always works for me)

P.S. sorry it took me so long to get this review up. I wanted to give myself ample digesting time, because of its complex sounds and lyrics.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Hard To Dislike This, June 5, 2000

By	"noashtray" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This album from Everclear had all the makings of failure. The lyrics and music are sometimes too similar to SPARKLE AND FADE, and of course alternative rock bands usually never succeed with their follow up to a breakthrough release. This went against the trends though because in the end, it's just a great collection of songs that are hard to dislike. Alexakis does tend to repeat himself with the negative subjects dominating almost every song, but at least he's singing about something he knows and cares about. Nothing here has the immediate impact of "Santa Monica" at first listen, but I found myself hooked to tracks like "Everything To Everyone," "One Hit Wonder," and "Father Of Mine" in no time at all. As on SPARKLE AND FADE, it's again obvious that Alexakis cares about the lyrics he has written and his emotion never falters throughout. It seems that "I Will Buy You A New Life" is the only questionable song here as it broods with arrogance in my mind, but as far as the slower tracks are concerned anyway, "White Men In Black Suits" is one of the best offerings here with its expressive content and delicate pace. Everclear has established themselves as a force with SO MUCH FOR THE AFTERGLOW and my guess is they'll sound basically the same on their upcoming releases, which is fine with me.