Sublime Album: “Second-Hand Smoke”

Description :

Also available on CD as a limited edition packaged with a t-shirt. SECONDHAND SMOKE is a collection of previously unreleased tracks along with alternate and dub takes of currently available material. Sublime: Brad Nowell (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Eric Wilson (organ, bass); Bud Gaugh (drums). Additional personnel: Gwen Stefani (vocals); Miguel (guitar, background vocals, sound effects); Tim Wu (saxophone); Isiah Owens (keyboards); Billy Wilson (percussion); Field Marshall (drums, programming). Producers include: Paul Leary, The Field Marshall, Miguel, Sublime, Bradley Nowell. Engineers include: Eddie Ashworth, Miguel, Craven Morehead, Steve McNeil, Donnell Cameron. Includes liner notes by Michael "Miguel" Happoldt. SECONDHAND SMOKE is a collection of previously unreleased tracks along with alternate and dub takes of currently available material. This limited edition release of SECOND HAND SMOKE is packaged with a t-shirt. Sublime: Brad Nowell (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Eric Wilson (organ, bass); Bud Gaugh (drums). Additional personnel: Gwen Stefani (vocals); Miguel (guitar, sound effects, background vocals); Tim Wu (saxophone); Isiah Owens (keyboards); Field Marshall (drums, programming; Billy Wilson (percussion). Producers include: Paul Leary, The Field Marshall, Miguel, Sublime, Bradley Nowell. Engineers include: Eddie Ashworth, Miguel, Craven Morehead, Steve McNeil, Donnell Cameron. Includes liner notes by Michael "Miguel" Happoldt. It is often said that the quickest way for an artist to become famous is to die. The obvious flip-side of this is that the artist doesn't get to enjoy the fruits of his labors. On SECOND-HAND SMOKE, the surviving Sublime members and long-time collaborator Miguel gather together some of their earliest demos along with more recent out-takes in a final tribute to their late leader, drug casualty Brad Nowell. Comparing the earliest work on this release to the later hits, it's striking how far Nowell's songwriting had progressed. The band was just beginning to synthesize its diverse influences into something that was instantly recognizable as Sublime. The early songs range from the straight pop of "New Realization" to reggae ("Don't Push") to the blend of ska and hip hop that was their signature ("Garbage Grove"). On "April 29th 1992 (Leary)," Nowell explores the real motivation behind the LA riots from the partly-humorous, partly-serious point-of-view that would characterize the bulk of his work. One can only wonder how far Nowell would have taken his music had he not passed away just as he was entering his prime. It is often said that the quickest way for an artist to become famous is to die. The obvious flip-side of this is that the artist doesn't get to enjoy the fruits of his labors. On SECOND-HAND SMOKE, the surviving Sublime members and long-time collaborator Miguel gather together some of their earliest demos along with more recent out-takes in a final tribute to their late leader, drug casualty Brad Nowell. Comparing the earliest work on this release to the later hits, it's striking how far Nowell's songwriting had progressed. The band was just beginning to synthesize its diverse influences into something that was instantly recognizable as Sublime. The early songs range from the straight pop of "New Realization" to reggae ("Don't Push") to the blend of ska and hip hop that was their signature ("Garbage Grove"). On "April 29th 1992 (Leary)," Nowell explores the real motivation behind the LA riots from the partly-humorous, partly-serious point-of-view that would characterize the bulk of his work. One can only wonder how far Nowell would have taken his music had he not passed away just as he was entering his prime.

I have been a Sublime fan for years and I have to say this is my favorite album. It's like an old friend, when you come across it you just get so happy! This is one of those cds you can take out at any time and listen to. Of all the songs, "Badfish" just makes me happy, and I find myself missing it often. I have owned this cd probably ten times and it keeps "disappearing". I am getting ready to order it again because I can't live without it! I am also getting "Sublime" since my husband wants that one again. We have really crappy friends... Not that I blame them. The only thing that I dislike about Sublime is that they won't be making any new albums. This album is worth the $12 or so, it's also worth buying over and over again.

'second hand smoke' is a post mortem album that was compiled by micheal happoldt at the request (or maybe at the demand) of mca records to meet the band's 3 album commitment that their contract required. (the self-titled album and 'stand by your van' are the other two) most of the tracks are older, early demos that display a young band trying to make ameteur recordings sound like they are professionally studio polished. some of them even date back to the late 80's. some of these are throw-aways, but the track 'slow ride' is essential for any sublime fan, because it was one of the best songs that they wrote that was never included on any of their major releases prior to bradley's death. it is actually one of their best songs overall, in my opinion, and was an early indicator of bradley's lyric writing talent. 'had a dat' is another great track that doesn't get the respect it deserves as a great roots reggae track. 'trenchtown rock' might be the jewel of the album, and even though it is only about 80 seconds long, it is a beautiful rendition of the song and helps to distinguish bradley as a great singer and at the same time shows the love he had for reggae in general. a few other tracks stand out and are enjoyable to listen to, especially 'legal dub', which is a dub rendition of peter tosh's legendary cannibis-promoting track, and is a great cheeba-puffing song. some of the songs are available on other discs that the band released, like 'saw red' (from 'robbin the hood) and 'badfish' (from '40 oz. to freedom'), and others are remixes of sorts, like the two 'doin' time' reworks. mad lion appears on one of them and provides a dancehall flavor that i am not crazy about, but you may think it is really dope. the 'get out' remix is a solid track and has a heavy hip-hop feel along with cuts provided by marshall goodman, which is a part of the music that bradley really wanted to bring out into the open with songs that they would have recorded in the future. all in all, it is not the best disc sublime released, but it defintely has some excellent music contained on it, and is worth picking up if you are a fan of their music.

Sublime's first 3 records 40oz. to Freedom, Robbin' the Hood, and Sublime were all great hits. They established the band quite well and gave them a quite large following. After front man Bradley Nowell's death following Sublime(album) the band had many incomplete and rough recordings of songs they were working on. Those songs are what we hear on Second Hand Smoke.

While I don't think Second Hand Smoke holds up with the first 3 albums, most of all Robbin' the Hood, it is still a solid album with many great tracks. The recording quality of many of the songs is a bit rough, but considering the circumstances it's quite understandable and hardly diminishes enjoyment of the album. The better tracks on this album are(in order they appear on the album):

-Doin' Time [Uptown Dub]

-Get Out! [Remix]

-Romeo

-New Realization

-Slow Ride

-Chick on my Tip

-Trench Town Rock

-Drunk Drivin'

The first half of the album is definitley much stronger than the second, but all in all a great album. Also contrary to what I've read a few places the versions of Saw Red and Badfish on this album are no different from the ones heard on 40oz. to Freedom and Robbin' the Hood; they most likely just threw them in as filler.

In conclusion I say this album is definitely a good album to purchase if you already own Sublime's first 3 albums and enjoy them, but if you don't buy one of them instead.

I've always loved Sublime, but my general interests tend to stray from punk to bands with a more reggae based influence and jam bands. This is why Second-Hand Smoke is such a delight. If you're in the mood for something mellow to just kick back and enjoy, then definately pick up this album. It's definately got its punk moments, but most of the album is very relaxing, some of the best Sublime stuff I've heard. Highlights for me are the saxophone on the uptown dub, the amazing Trenchtown Rock which makes me quiver in my shoes, and the thanx dub. The reggae beats are all over this album, and if that's your style, like me, then don't pass up on this album. I can listen to every song without getting bored.