The Bottom Line This is a great album. It's diverse and fun at the same time. The sound is very mellow and very much both rock and pop influenced.
Full Review
Who's heard of Better Than Ezra? Raise your hands... Anybody? Well, you should have. They've been around for a few years and have had a number of semi-hits on the MTV and radio circuit. Although, their music has often been overlooked as being too similar to that of other artists.
Better Than Ezra has been around for over a decade. It was only with the 1994 release of "Deluxe" that the band finally got a bit of attention thanks to MTV's support of the feel-good tune "Good." The band began as a quartet, but were forced to continue as a threesome following the death of their lead guitarist before the release of "Deluxe." The band consists of Kevin Griffin (lead singer), Tom Drummond (bass), and Travis McNabb (drums).
"Deluxe" came in the post-grunge wake. It's much to happy and much too light to be considered anything but rock/pop/alternative. "Good" was certainly a radio-ready hit, but the album is much more than just a single hit.
Better Than Ezra has released four albums following the success of "Deluxe." "Friction Baby" featured the poppy hit "Desperately Wanting." The band's other efforts include: "How Does Your Garden Grow?", "Artifakt", and "Closer."
Here's a list of the songs on the album in addition to my oh-so-relevant thoughts about each. Happy reading and hopefully happy listening!
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1. IN THE BLOOD
Beginning with a fast tempo, fast drums, and great guitars, this song is strong from the very beginning. It's apparent immediately that Griffin has a very strong pop/rock voice. It's smooth, soothing, and soft. It's actually a perfect compliment to the almost-rock sound that Better than Ezra has. This song was never really a popular one, although there is nothing specifically wrong with it. The sound is very sparse for this kind of music. Griffin's vocals are the centerpiece rather than the drums or guitars. It's a refreshing, relaxing, enjoyable sound. Very upbeat. Here's a quick sample of Griffin's lyrics:
How can you be so warm?
How can you know what I feel?
Well, it's the way you move your hands,
and it's the way you understand
2. GOOD
Great sound here. It's fun, fast, and very very catchy. Once you hear this song, there's no question it will be stuck in your mind forever. Griffin's vocals are much whinier than the last. It's got kind of a sing-song sounding melody, but to be quite honest this is a very "Good" song. Pardon the pun. This is definitely a must listen. In fact, if you don't know the band by name, you should at least know this tune. This is my favorite part of the song:
Well, maybe I'll call
or write you a letter.
Now, maybe we'll see on the Fourth of July.
But I'm not too sure, and I'm not too proud.
3. SOUTHERN GURL
I love the guitars in the beginning of this song. To be quite honest the sound here starts out very much like that of Live from their "Throwing Copper" era. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I like the guitars and drums here. The chorous is very nice (as are Griffin's vocals which are as strong as usual). Don't miss out on this one just because you've never heard of it. The lyrics are almost poetic. I hate to speak about a band like this in this manner, but it's true. Here's an example:
Scent of pine drifting by.
Her hand traces lazy on your neck.
Sunlight through the trees
recalls a better time.
4. THE KILLER INSIDE
Besides the obvious appeal of the title of this song, there are other redeeming qualities here. There's some real delicate elements to this track. Griffin's vocals are skillfully executed. There are even violins to enhance the slide guitar (yes, you heard me right). This is definitely a switch from the earlier songs on this album. It's refreshing and new. This is one of my favorite songs on the entire album.
The lights go down
And the clouds are building outside.
You close the door and turn the key,
But there's no place to hide.
5. ROSEALIA
This tune was released as a single, but never gained the following of "Good." Although, I have to say that it's a great tune. It's mellow like much of Better Than Ezra's other music. The tune is driven by a strong drum line and Griffin's soft voice. It's a gorgeous tune that also features some varying backing string instruments. Very nice. The message is very important...it's a message about domestic violence. Here's a sample:
What has he done, my senorita?
His kind of love is going to kill you.
Do you fake a smile when you dodge the blows?
So many times, so many chances.
This one could be your last.
6. CRY IN THE SUN
There are some bluesy influences here. Again, the band has done something smart in making another song that sounds different, yet doesn't manage to alienate their target audience. Griffin's vocals are the centerpiece in this one. The verses are soft with louder interludes between each. Again, I am impressed with his lyrics. It's a great song with a great, melodic chorus featuring backing singers. Great, I tell 'ya.
A summer rain storm,
but the shed was dry
with a girl from Carolina.
And you held her so tight,
for the warmth that the rain denied,
as the timer slowed to a flash.
So alive, you listen to them when they say...
7. TEENAGER
I am immediately turned off by this song because of the title. Fortunately there are great blues lines with great drums that open the song. I love the guitar line that backs Griffin's vocals. It's fun, original and different than the rest of the songs. It's important to note that Better Than Ezra is obviously a talented trio. They have a great voice and a great ear for music. This song talks about the tendencies of teenagers...what they do and what they think. It's a bit depressing at times, but still "Good."
No one knows your name.
No one hears your cry.
Fall in with the fringe
because they know what you're going through.
They do.
8. UNTITLED
This is a totally instrumental track that lasts just over a minute. It's a bit odd with voices and louge-act sounding drums and guitars. Like I said odd, but definitely a nice break to clear your mind. It's soft, gentle, and interesting. Nothing special, just interesting.
9. SUMMERHOUSE
LOVE, yes LOVE the bass guitar and drums in this tune. Griffin is energetic and flexes his vocal chops. The song is fast and fun. There are some driving guitar solos to accent the tone of the song. In fact, it's very much in contrast to the actual lyrics of the song. In fact, it's much like certain songs from Seven Mary Three and Toadies in the message. Here's the beginning of the story as told by Griffin:
Down by the dock, hot blood in the sun.
The body lays up against the reeds.
The locals said, the man had it coming,
and it's time someone put him six feet in the ground.
10. PORCELAIN
A bit of a twisted tune here. It's soft and features only guitars and Griffin's voice. This is a VERY good song. Although, the meaning of the song could be considered a bit, um, Eminem-ish. Yeah, Griffin talks about killing a woman he loves just so that he could be the last one she loved. Although, I have to say that this song is very delicate with Griffin's vocals during the chorus soft and backed by beautiful, magical female voices. Here's a quick example:
Just the other day I felt I had you by a string.
Just the other day I felt we could be everything.
11. HEAVEN
There's a bit of a marching band beat to this song. They actually seem to be using a snare drum in the background. Odd, yes, appropriate? Maybe. I don't like this tune as much as some of the others on the album, although you shouldn't skip it if you're listening. It's a bit too soft for my own taste. The lyrics are still good anyway:
Heretics and hypocrites,
Wear the same face through the years.
Telling lies and laying blame.
Damn the fire to feed the flame.
Don't dance or sing or try to think,
They're images planted in your head.
12. THIS TIME OF YEAR
Beginning with an acoustic guitar, this song sounds just about like something from-gasp-John Denver. I don't like saying this, mind you. There aren't any drums until halfway into the song, just Griffin's vocals and guitar. This is a beautiful, folky song with a beautiful sound. The song is about changing...it uses imagery and seasons to achieve it's goal...
Well, I know there's a reason to change.
Well, I know there's a time for us.
You think about the good times
And you live with all the bad.
You can feel it in the air,
Feeling right this time of year.
13. COYOTE
Country rock sounding guitars highlight this song. To be quite honest, it doesn't really interest me. Although, I enjoy the addition on the tamborine :) It kind of bores me. The tempo seems a bit slow and forced. The chorus consists totally of Griffin almost yodeling "coyote." Anyway, it's kind of a weak way to wrap up an otherwise strong album. Eh. It's about southwest America. The only saving grace of this track (at least for me) are the words:
Heading out, your heart beating in your head.
Riding on the Texas wind.
Raise your feet as you cross the state line.
Waking up, the mesa, sun, and the sky.
All the way to Tucumcari, and Santa Fe seems
a stone's throw away.
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There's no question that Better Than Ezra's music is in the same vein as pop rockers like Matchbox Twenty, Everclear (post punk, of course), Diswalla, Blessed Union of Souls, and Third Eye Blind. Their music is better than most efforts from these bands, yet their success has been modest to say the least.
If you remember the single "Good" and still enjoy it's infectious sound, it is my suggestion that you pick up "Deluxe" from the music store. If you don't remember the single, but still enjoy this kind of music, pick up a used copy for $7. You won't be disappointed.
I give this album a rating of four stars. It's a good all-around album that is in some ways overshadowed by their one hit. Check it out.
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