Songs From An American Movie Vol. Two: Good Time For A Bad Attitude
If scientists strived to merge crunchy, hook-heavy pop-rock-punk and the super-shiniest production techniques this side ofSmashing Pumpkins, the result would probably sound exactly like Everclear'sSongs from an American Movie, Vol. 2: Good Time for a Bad Attitude. It's a hit-or-miss outing. On the one hand, it's a step up from the tepidSongs from an American Movie, Vol. 1, and it takes the boys back to the loose but mighty muscularity that madeSparkle and Fadesuch a delight. Art Alexakis and company take some chances, like the funky groove of "Babytalk" and the ballad to bombast and back again of "Out of My Depth." On the minus side, the production is so slick that there's no friction, and rock music without friction is like, well, like large chunks of thisAttitude. Definitely a mixed bag from Everclear.--Jason Josephes