Everclear Album: “Welcome to the Drama Club”

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you like the drift of Everclear music away from thrash-pop to thinking man's pop with lots of melody and minor chords then this album is a dreamboat. It is Everclear so clearly - the chiming guitar time signatures, the big choruses, the meaty production, the heartfelt way that Art tries to let us in on his odd little life of obsessions and loves. But the big thing is, this album really grows on you - because there are a lot of big big hooks and excellent songs on this lp. It's a fine follow on from Afterglow and SED - which I thought was excellent.

Well done Art. More gorgeous, open, songs to be embraced and enjoyed. I wish you well, but long may your life be a torment if it means we get great pop songs like these.