Disco de Everclear: “Songs From an American Movie Vol. 1: Learning How”

This is the most "poppy" (yet in the best sense of the word) and diverse Everclear album yet. Each song is unique, which leaves the listener far from bored.

"AM Radio" is a perfect example of this. In it, Art raps to a same of Jean Knight's "Mr Big Stuff," while reminiscing about the '70's and the AM radio that he grew up with. Additionally, the song "Here We Go Again" samples "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy. In stark contrast, the remake of "Annabella's Song" features a 40-piece orchestra arranged by Mort Lindsey, who also worked with Sinatra.

"Otis Redding" and "Learning How to Smile" are my personal favorites. They are very melodic and have choruses that will make you want to sing along. The cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" has been taken under Everclear's wing, as if it were there own. It is hard to distinguish as different from any other song on the album; it fits so perfectly among all the original songs.

Other songs, such as the acoustic reprise of "Song from an American Movie," and "Thrift Store Chair," are short but sweet. The simplicity and intimacy make these songs great. Other songs, such as "Wonderful" and "Now That It's Over" will really hit home with some people, as they deal with Art Alexakis' recent divorce. The light-hearted love songs, "Unemployed Boyfriend" and the "The Honeymoon Song" (the latter written by the band's drummer, Greg Eklund), are enough to make any listener smile a little.

Yes, Alexakis, along with anyone else who listens to this album, will learn how to smile. This is quite a departure from the old Everclear sound, which will be picked up with "Songs from an American Movie, Vol. Two: Good Time for a Bad Attitude," due out around Thanksgiving. Look forward to that if you are looking for a really "rockin'" sound.

This is an album that will surprise and delight even the biggest Everclear fan. I definitely recommend it to anyone. If this were the soundtrack to an American movie, it would sure be a great one!

The artwork on the compact disc of Everclear's latest album depicts the classic sad smiley face. Although this is a creative, and yes, fun design, I have to say that it completely disagrees with my thoughts about this album. Even though I am not a big fan of alternative music, Everclear's musical abilities greatly impress me. When I bought "So Much For the Afterglow" last year, I thought that it was a superb album. Yesterday, upon listening to this latest release, I was forced to reassess my opinion. "Songs From An American Movie" puts "Afterglow" to shame. I think that this is the first alternative album I have ever bought where I seriously like the majority of the CD. Also, as a fan of the culture of the late 1960s, I enjoyed the concept theme on this album that is prevalent in songs like "AM Radio" and "Otis Redding." Everclear's cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" is even better than the original. And of course, we can't overlook "Wonderful", which is probably the best Everclear song I have heard to date. The situation and message in this song has brought tears to my eyes every time I have listened to it; it is just too close to reality for many people that I know. Conclusively, this is an excellent CD. It is not exclusively for alternative fans, but can be enjoyed by anyone who just likes to listen to good music. I, a country and folk music fan, am walking proof of that! :-)

The "Wonderful" music video was my introduction to Everclear's music. Being a child of divorce, this video and song struck a chord in me that hadn't sounded in years. I bought "Songs From An American Movie Vol. One" and found an interesting collection of songs, reflective of the sorts of changes one goes through after marriage and parenthood. "Song from an American Movie Pt. 1", "The Honeymoon Song", "Thrift Store Chair", and "Annabella's Song" will mean something to listeners who are married and/or have children. Of this batch, I most appreciate "Thrift Store Chair", though Alexakis underuses the king-size bed metaphor. "Song from an American Movie Pt. 1" is short and undeveloped. "Annabella's Song" is a pretty lullaby. The remaining songs are primarily reminiscences; of these, "AM Radio", "Otis Redding", and Unemployed Boyfriend" stand out. "Otis Redding" is one of my favorite songs; the crux of the song rests on the lines "I wish I had one more life/how I wish I had one more life to live". The song is a bit slow, but its pleading for a new life is affecting. Given that marriage and parenthood awaken old memories and prompt a reassessment of one's life, I suspect this album is meant as a greeting card to those experiencing similar life changes.

Given that I listen primarily to classical music and bluegrass, I must say this CD surprised me. Good music is actually being produced in the rock genre nowadays. I found many of the songs on this CD, especially aspects of "Unemployed Boyfriend", reminding me of the Kinks. (Musically, the groups are quite different, but lyrically, they share a kindred spirit. See "Well Respected Man", for example.) I have heard "So Much for the Afterglow", and this CD is much different in style to its predecessor. If you like the "harder" sound of Everclear, you may not like this new CD. I really fully enjoy only five songs on each of these CDs, so the change in styles is not a big deal for me.

"Wonderful" is a very good song, but it makes for a better music video. Anyone who wants to understand the feelings a child experiences during a divorce should see this video--it's quite accurate. Of the twelve songs, I listen to the last five tracks regularly: "Thrift Store Chair", "Otis Redding", "Unemployed Boyfriend", "Wonderful", "Annabella's Song".

If you don't want to like today's rock music, give this album a try. It has some good things to say. If you like today's rock music, then you probably have this one on your shelves already. I hope you like it.

I must admit I was disappointed at first. However, after listening a couple of times and not considering the fact it was Everclear, I began to value it as a hole. This is an incredibly diverse CD. Many expect it to be a replica of their previous albums. This, it is not. Nevertheless, their talent shines!

I simply love "Learning How to Smile" along with "Hear we go Again" It keeps the feel good beat along with the not so upbeat lyrics. To be honest, I bought this CD without hearing any of the singles on the radio yet and I figured "Learning how to Smile" was the single. It is a great song you'll love it. "Wonderful" is classic Everclear. And Greg's "honeymoon song", it's hard to believe he hasn't written more in the past. The song has mood to it. However, this, more than any other track on the album, needs to be heard to with a very, very open mind. It is not common to hear anything like it from this type of a band. I hated it when I first bought the CD and woried the remaining tracks would sound like it. The Cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" is good however some may find it non obligatory for the album. "AM radio" should bring back mimories for some. "Unemployed Boyfriend" I adore, it is a girls song.

This album, beyond doubt, demonstrates their vast tallent and gives a new, more of a feel good attitude then the rest of their albums.

Just Wonderful!

It's pretty rare that I pick up a mainstream pop album. I'm not knocking it, but my tastes tend to run more towards metal and classic rock. Anyway, I took a chance on Everclear's 2000 release Songs from an American Movie, Volume 1 - Learning How to Smile based on the strength of the radio hits Wonderful and A.M. Radio, and was surprised at just how much I enjoyed the album.

I was familiar with the band, but the material on this album definitely wasn't the alterna-rocking Everclear I remembered. This is a smart, well-crafted, upbeat pop album that despite what some other reviewers would have you believe actually contains little to no "filler". In fact, aside from the way too tranquil closing track Annabella's Song, the hit single Wonderful is probably the only song that I'm tired of hearing, and that's due more to radio fatigue than anything else. The album is crammed full of fantastic songs, but there are a few that really stand out. A.M. Radio is just a fun track, Now That It's Over is brilliant for having such a dark message in counterpoint to the beautiful music, and Unemployed Boyfriend is one of the better love songs I've heard in a long time. Everclear's version of Brown Eyed Girl is quite good as well.

It's a shame the band's follow-up album wasn't as good, or I might have become an Everclear fan. Still, I have to give the band credit for creating a near-perfect pop album that I find myself listening to on a regular basis seven years after its release. How often does that happen with most pop albums?