Wounds bared

Review: Everclear stretches with turbulent 'Songs from an American Movie'

July 14, 2000
Web posted at: 2:52 p.m. EDT (1852 GMT)

Everclear
Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning how to Smile
(Capitol Records)

By David John Farinella
Special to CNN Interactive

(CNN) -- Everclear frontman and songwriter Art Alexakis has never shied away from baring his soul. Over the course of a pair of major label releases -- 1995's "Sparkle & Fade" and "So Much for the Afterglow," released two years later -- Alexakis has spun aural tales about his battles with drug addiction, issues related to his absentee father and other personal demons.

With "Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile" Alexakis details some youthful highlights and some decidedly adult lows. It's perhaps one of the most emotionally jarring albums of the year.

Written after Alexakis' marriage ended, the album clearly details his own personal anguish over the relationship's rough roads and his concerns for his daughter's continuing happiness. The album's lead single, "Wonderful," is sung from a youngster's eyes; "Annabella's Song" is an orchestral love note to his daughter.

	AUDIO
"Wonderful" 288K AIFF or 416K WAV sound "Thrift Store Chair" 256K AIFF or 384K WAV sound "Annabella's Song" 256K AIFF or 384K WAV sound (Sound courtesy Capitol Records)

This could be the band's most realized album of its career. This collection touches down on a variety of musical genres with equal success, from the funky syncopation of "AM Radio" to the heart-wrenching orchestration of "Annabella's Song" to the acoustic arrangements of "Thrift Store Chair."

"Learning How To Smile" was to be an Alexakis solo album, produced while Everclear took a year to recover from the exhaustive "So Much for the Afterglow" tour.

Musical change

The singer wanted to stretch beyond the band's poppy-punk roots, not realizing his bandmates -- bassist Craig Montoya and drummer Greg Eklund -- were interested in joining him. In this collection, they seem to thrive under the change in styles.

"Here We Go Again" serves as an easy encapsulation -- Dare we say a reprise? -- of the album's overriding theme: the peaks and valleys of relationships. For example, the band revisits high school in an interesting cover of Van Morrison's classic "Brown Eyed Girl," while "Learning How To Smile" takes a voyeuristic look at a dysfunctional relationship.

Everclear touches on several musical genres in its latest offering, "Songs From an American Movie"

"The Honeymoon Song" is where the album's emotional arc commences. It escalates with "Now That It's Over," which describes the demise of a marriage and the inherent stages of grief, anger and acceptance. Emotions hit a peak "Thrift Store Chair" and "Otis Redding."

In the middle of all this seriousness is a light-hearted stunner. "Unemployed Boyfriend" is hysterical, a tune that deserved to stand on its own. Hopefully, it won't be buried under the album's heavier content.

"Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile," is the first of two releases the band is slated to release this year. "Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 2: A Good Time for a Bad Attitude," which has been described by band members as a noisier, more rock-oriented album, is due this fall.

If this collection is any indication of that album's promise, there's plenty to be excited about.

	RECENT MUSIC REVIEWS
Garth Brooks Eric Claption Aerosmith Dave Matthews Etta James The greatest hits The box set Marshall Dyllon Holiday music A country Christmas Tyler England Coldplay U2 P.J. Harvey Alan Jackson Poe Randy Travis Billy Ray Cyrus Wallflowers Mark Knopfler, John Hiatt, Andy Summers Kenny Rogers Matthew Ryan Jo Dee Messina 'Millionaire' Soundtrack The Kinleys Everclear Mighty, Mighty Bosstones k.d. lang Billy Joel Lee Ann Womack Crowded House Elliott Smith Aimee Mann Steve Wariner
Tell us: Bought any good CD's recently? What would you recommend?

Power-grunge Everclear avoids 'One Hit Wonder' trap
May 11, 1999

Everclearonline!

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.