Music : Smash Mouth

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Rating:

- A Fun Smash Mouth CD
Catchy tunes, fun lyrics and well produced music make the third Smash Mouth CD a winner, if a little short on the kind of songs that dominated the radio from the first two Smash Mouth CDs. You will discover that this CD is even milder than "Astro Lounge," with the lyrics capitalizing on the best aspects of that CD. Some fans of "Fush Yu Mang" may protest that Smash Mouth has moved too far into pop, but for those of us that like the retro sound this music is a breath of fresh air that blows away the cookie cutter pop that seems to be dominating the radio.

This CD begins with the fun song "Holiday in My Head." The beat is catchy and the lyrics are enjoyable and light. The opening song has fun written all over it. The second song is actually a song of contradictions that should be more somber, but the song seems upbeat. "Your Man" indicates that he is happy with the relationship though perhaps he should not be, and he wonders what she sees in him. None of the lyrics make any difference to us because we enjoy the bass beat, the pace and the bouncy lyrics. Steve Harwell's voice brings this song to life and keeps you from pausing the CD.

There is no let up or mercy from "Pacific Coast Party," a song that literally has party written all over its catchy beat. This song has a wonderful intro that sounds much like theme music from the throwaway shows that tried to be hip in the late 1970s. This song could easily be a theme song from "That 70s Show."

"She Turns Me On" sounds a lot like "Walkin' on the Sun" in style. I liked "Walkin' on the Sun" so I have little to complain about, but some people may think that Smash Mouth is in danger of repeating themselves.

Moving onward, "Sister Psychic" is yet another fun song that seems inspired by previous Smash Mouth songs with another catchy beat and lyrics. I enjoy the sound effects and keyboards in this song.

"Out of Sight" is more poetic and contemplative than the first five songs. Smash Mouth has sung other songs with a similar pace on previous albums and I have enjoyed every one. This song is a ballad Smash Mouth style.

The following song begins slowly, but it picks up quickly with a bang up beat and a jumping pace that begs you to learn the lyrics. "Force Field" has a melody that is brain catching surrounded by poetically surrealistic lyrics. In spite of the intellectual sounding description, this song is fun and one that I enjoy again and again.

"Shoes `n' Hats" is mostly standard pop, but the song picks up at the halfway point with a lovely guitar riff. This song is much more enjoyable because of the second half of the song, which keeps the song from being mundane. "Hold You High" has moments where I am reminded of Men at Work. The styles are very different, but there is something about the singing in a couple of places that takes me back to that group, which was as unique for their time as Smash Mouth is today.

"The in Set" has a lovely retro beginning leading into a song that has numerous retro elements. The lyrics also refer to the mod era. This song is fun and one of my favorites on this CD. "Disenchanted," similar to "Pacific Coast Party," has elements that make me think of theme music. This song has horns to complement the Smash Mouth sound. I wish Smash Mouth would do more songs with the kind of layers that this song has. This song has a strange ending that requires a lot of volume to hear.

"Keep It Down" has a heavy bass track that challenges the bass response of my speakers. If you have a subwoofer and have it cranked up you may want to be careful; you may find things moving along the floor, or the neighbors complaining. I enjoy this unusual experimental song. Perhaps Smash Mouth should consider trying progressive rock, because this song has many of the elements.

The final song is the cover of the Neil Diamond song "I'm a Believer," a hit for the Monkees in the 1960s. I am a big fan of the Monkees (who would have guessed!) and I think this cover is as enjoyable as their recording. Smash Mouth deserves kudos for putting their unique style on this classic rock song.

I was hooked on Smash Mouth after seeing their video for "Walkin' on the Sun." There are few groups brave enough to attempt a sound that returns to the 1960s and 1970s, and not only does Smash Mouth try for a sound influenced by those eras, they are very good at it. This album is bouncier and catchier than Smash Mouth's first two albums, but music should be fun. Smash Mouth reminds us that one of the reasons we listen to music is because it takes us away from the here and now to a fun place that is as much inside our brains as it is in the CD. Have fun!

Rating:

- Great album
This album and Smashmouths last three have been just about having fun and songs that are fun n' stupid to sing along too, which is what music should be about, in my opinion

Rating:

- Psychodelic Happy Feelings
This albums is just beautiful. "I'm a Believer" is nice, but put it aside for a moment. What makes Smash Mouth so great is that they haven't conformed--they're rhythm and style is exactly the same as it was in Fush Yu Mang and they've managed to keep their momentum going. This band is who you listen to when you've had a terrible day (or night) and you need something to get you going. You just can't sit still during their disco renditions or with "Sister Psychic" (my personal favorite). If you like mellow, slow, depression songs--they've got that too! Smash Mouth is for everyone except those depressing self-indulged bastards who can't stand to smile (cough, damn intellectuals). Sit back and enjoy this album--it's just fun, baby.

Rating:

- great cd
as great as astrolounge

you should deffinitly buy this

worth a lot of money

there a great rock group

Rating:

- So?
Seriously, has anyone else noticed that all Smash Mouth's songs sound the same? I mean, they're okay songs, but they all sound the same! I definately wouldn't be able to say Smash Mouth has matured any in later albums, because they're still singing the same stuff they were in the beginning. In my opinion, the songs don't vary much at all, it's like listening to the same song slightly remixed over and over.

I don't know about this album. I'm not completely sure how the songs sound. But I do know all Smash Mouth's hits are feel-good rock songs. And the guys in Smash Mouth look like they're about thirty or forty.

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