Wheatus Album: “Hand Over Your Loved Ones”

If Wheatus hadn't had that one hit song, Teenage Dirtbag, they'd have a huge cult following. Because that one song was played to death on the radio, people automatically think of Wheatus as some pop band one hit wonder. Maybe they're a one hit wonder, but considering the sorry state of radio here in the good ol' USA, that's not so much a bad thing.

When I first heard Teenage Dirtbag, I fell in love with it. I went out and bought the CD and found, to my infinite surprise, that I loved the entire album. I rocked this album in my car, in my friends' cars, in my stereo, in my computer, everywhere. My friends didn't get it at first, but I didn't really care. I played it anyway. Eventually they came around and bought the cd.

Coming from this vantage point, I really wanted a new wheatus CD, but I was really afraid that I had built it up too much in my mind. When I got the CD, I was really disappointed when I heard the first song "American in Amsterdam". I thought about ejecting the CD and throwing it out the window (But only for a second). Luckily, the second song is really where this CD starts. They got the single out of the way and made the rest of the CD for the fans, what few of us there are...

It's a strange CD, the weirdest part being the title of track 9, "Whole Amoeba". I guess it was an inside joke. The chorus goes "You had a hold on me but just for a while..." and when you first hear it, you think he's saying "Whole Amoeba". It's not hilarious, but it always makes me smile, and it gives me the feeling that Wheatus is sharing an inside joke with the fans.

In the end, it's their attitude that always wins me over. Sarcastic and juvenile, but surprisingly well written and executed. Go buy this CD, listen to it once before work, and after you've hummed the songs all day, listen to it on the way home. You won't be disappointed if you succumb to their contagious energy.

I wasn't subjected to the overplaying of "Teenage Dirtbag". I heard the song, I liked it. I liked all the other songs on that album as well.

But I don't think I'm wrong in saying that this album is a step above their first album. The music is more polished, and the songs seem to know what they are doing, whereas a lot of the songs on the first album just were kind of...there.

All these songs are great. Catchy harmonies and lyrics. The surprising two hidden tracks at the end of the CD. Live versions of track 2 maybe? I don't know. They are cool though.

They have rereleased this album, with a few new tracks, and you can get this new off their website for a small 18.00 bucks, shipping included!

But anyway, all these songs are great. My favorite probably being "The Song That I Wrote When You Dissed Me". Excellent chorus, and vocals. Catchy tune and everything. This band has talent. A bit strange at times, but very original and creative.

I cannot say who Wheatus sounds like, because they do sound like just themselves. Original, creative, and not afraid to go up against the power of the corporation.

Highly reccomended

So yadda yadda we were all introduced by teenage dirtbag, and just recently i saw the BMX Bandits video and it tottaly reminded me of thier one hit wonder, so i irrationally went on amazon and perchased 4 of thier cds, this being one of them, from hearing those 2 songs mentioned above i thought Wheatus would be a kid like fun group singing about teenage inocense. Boy was i wrong i know it says Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics on the cover but i thought it would be just some quick swear words.... pffff as of now im not going to be a fan of wheatus, their 2 hit wonders are great.... and thats the bottom line, well c when i get the rest of the cds