Bridge [ENHANCED]

Blues Traveler

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2001)
• Original Release Date: April 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00005BJLC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #120,213 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Blues Traveler's sixth album is a bittersweet affair, originally dubbed Bridge out of Brooklyn in homage to founding bassist Bobby ("Brooklyn Bob") Sheehan, who died of an overdose in 1999. After much debate the band decided to simply call it Bridge, signifying both a subtle tribute to their fallen compatriot and a demarcation between the two segments in their career, Before Bob and After Bob. The album is formally dedicated to Sheehan, and his ghost wafts through many of the tracks--most poignantly on "Pretty Angry (For J. Sheehan)," written for the bassist's brother. The anxious lyrics reveal that John Popper and the band are not yet over his loss, only having worked their way through the second stage of grief, lamenting: "I don't know which was the bigger waste of time, missing you or wishing it was me." Besides allowing the band to mourn, Bridge also gives Blues Traveler a chance to clean house, recycling "The Way" and "Decision of the Skies," two rather grandiose songs once slated for the band's now-abandoned concept album. But on the whole Bridge is a rather lackluster affair, weighed down with clichés, lumbering and dispirited jams, and inane lyrics like "[Y]ou can start to give that inner brat a hug, till the dickhead pulls the rug," from "Rage." The one stand-out track is "Girl Inside My Head," a whimsical inner dialogue between Popper and his id, but other than this clever bit of fluff, Blues Traveler's Bridge is a dead end. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metamorphosis!!!, January 15, 2002

By	BillMinarik (Glendale, CA) - See all my reviews

Just when I thought B/T couldn't get any better, presto! - 4 became 5 and the world's #1 jam band enters the new millenium on top of the rock scene, even higher than in the 90s. Despite the death of long-time bassman Bob Sheehan, the group has hung together and replaced Bob with guitarist Chan Kinchla's younger bro Tad. Wrapped around heavyweight (now in ability only) John Popper, the trio provides the strongest front line in Rock since Zeppelin. When you add a keyboard to everything, you now have a group whose sound goes where no one has gone B-4. While Bridge offers a menu which includes some of the powerful blues jams only the Traveler can manage, it also provides an introspective into the bands perception of the loss of Sheehan with "Pretty Angry". Had this number been shortened from its 6-7 minutes play, it would have definetly been radio play mateiral. However, Bridge does not lack a hit single. In fact, "Just For Me" is arguably the groups best single ever, and IMHO worth the price of this CD. However it doesn't stop there as "Girl Inside My Head" will have you pressing the "previous" button on your car CD player over and over. If you were wondering why it took the group so long to come up with album #6, its because it takes that long to make something this good. If you ever wonder what all of the other artists listen to in their spare time, its right here with Bridge. If you only buy 1 CD in 2002, you can't afford to take any chances. Bridge is the only SURE THING around. Don't leave here without it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like BT ignore the reviewers and give Bridge a listen, July 25, 2002

By	Peter J. Weinbaum "zoobrew22" (Hoboken, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I normally find ... reviews to be credible and objective, but I'm dissapointed with what I've read. Music tastes are an individual thing and very subjective. I really think this is a great CD. I have only found one or two songs on each of the previous Blues Traveler albums that I really enjoyed. I am not their #1 fan. But I must say that Bridge has me anxiously awaiting their next release. The music is upbeat, lyrics are lively (with the exception of the tribute song to their lost band member that is both genuine/heartfelt, and a great original song). This CD has it all. I love it as a background disk and sometimes I really focus on each song. Definitely judge for yourself. My personal opinion is people with a wide variance in musical tastes will all be able to take something away from this disk. I am not a big fan of celebrities in general and working in NYC I have grown numb to seeing famous people on the streets. The best compliment I can pay this CD is when on my honeymoon I was on a flight to Hawaii and two rows behind me was John Popper. Although I normally go out of my way to ignore celebs, I was compelled to walk up to him and tell him how much I have enjoyed the Bridge CD and how thankful I was that they made it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues Traveler - Nothing better., October 24, 2001

By A Customer

First of all let me say that in all my years reading Amazon's editor reviews, I have yet to read one that is either accurate or helpful. That review tells us nothing about the album, and proves you don't understand the music at all.

This album is different than anything the band has released before. In an age of Britney Spears and N'Sync, it is refreshing to have a CD that actually illustrates talent and true passion. After the death of Bobby, to be able to produce and write and album this good is a perfect testament to how truly good this band is. Real musicians, imagine that!! There is a lot less harmonica on this album, but what is there, is amazing. Brendan on drums plays a lot more on this album, such as on "All Hands" which is simply wicked. It moves you. "Girl Inside My Head" is a great song Jaan (the Amazon reviewer), but is a perfect example of how little you know about music. That is there single and is nothing like the rest of the album. Plus the fact "Back In The Day" is a MUCH stronger single. The CD is fun, intense and a true pleasure. I am so relieved and happy that they were able to produce such an amazing CD. Hopefully people will begin to remember what good taste is and buy this, and let Britney go pose in Playboy.