Before the Robots by Better Than Ezra - Alternative Rock Music Album for Road Trips, Workouts & Relaxation

Better than Ezra seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. Far from the unique sound and interesting lyrics of their earlier albums, tracks 1-7 are weak Top 40 pop-style offerings. It seems as though BTE are trying to be a radio band, and Track 3 is a prime example of how much this is hurting them. The song, "A Lifetime," was originally released on their previous album but was re-released in the hopes that a faster, pop-pier re-mix would get the radio time that the original didn't. The problem is that the new pace doesn't suit the lyrics at all.Likewise, the rest of tracks 1-7 are weak efforts, sounding pretty much like the generic work of any other radio band. Even the lyrics--a strong point of earlier BTE albums--are reduced to silly cliches.With the exception of Track 10, "Juicy," which is a wannabe '70s funk offering, tracks 8-13 offer more of what BTE has made its name with: well-written and innovative music. In these tracks, we remember that BTE's alternative edge originally came out of their mixing of rock with the jazz, blues, and "feel" of New Orleans and the contemporary South. To a great extent, this album feels as though the guys are stuck in an identity crisis, on the one hand abandoning their distinctive sound and feel for a chance at more radio play but also trying to retain something of themselves. A better title would have been "The Three Faces of Ezra."I only hope they find out who they really are again before their next album release.I saw the guys paly live in Houston, TX last June, way before listening to the new CD-. performed live the new songs sounded great. I bought the CD a month later or so, and the songs still sounded great.BTE's new offer's brilliant: the CD kicks off the best way with the impressive "Burn" and the excellent "Daylight". "A lifetime" sure was better on Closer, but this new arrangement fits good in the whole album. "It's Only Natural" is a really good song, but Kevin Griffin's level best follows with songs like "Overcome", "Special", "American Dream", "Our Last Night". "A Southern Thing" is the perfect sing along song, and "Juicy" is simply infectious and contagious. "Hollow" (one of my fave, even though it was way better in the acoustic version in the bonus video on Closer, but then again in this new arrangement fits the album) opens a threesome of gems, with "Our Finest Year" and "Breathless" following.Ezralites sure will love Before the Robots, new comers also.Thanks Kevin, Tom and Travis, brillant job!I'm a huge Better Than Ezra fan, but I must say that I've been experiencing diminishing return on their albums, starting with Closer. Don't get me wrong, this album is good, with plenty of catchy and introspective songs, but it doesn't call me back for more like their other albums have. This album, like most, has grown on me over time, but it just doesn't seem quite as musical as their previous efforts.Since I am a Baby Boomer Rockin Roller, I had heard one of these songs on a TV show and thought I would try it out, not bad.........I still like my Classic Rock stuff better. Give me Quadraphrenia any day.BTE continues to shine on this release. I think this is more of a continuation of "Closer" in terms of style and structure. Kevin Griffin is clearly on of the most talented song-writers in rock. The particular stand-outs for me are "Special", "Burned", and "Our Last Night". I have to see this band live!!!I won't bore you with some artsy fartsy description of the music like most cd reviews. If you like BTE you will love this CD. The sound is the BTE you grew up with combining their melodic sounds and even their goofy one-offs, like "Juicy". Enjoy the cd music, but do yourself one Better and see them live.Not very impressed with this album..I was kinda disappointed..may 3 songs out of this album resonate with the previous ones..Love this CD. Have their greatest hits, but Juicy is not on it.. so I purchased this CD to add to my collection. Love them.Every new BTE album has presented a significant change in the band's sound. Before the Robots is perhaps the smallest jump so far - though still different from 2001's "Closer". Opening with "Burned", a straight ahead pop song about difficult relationships, it is perhaps most closely aligned with mid-90's "Friction, Baby". The songs are all fine. They will no doubt grow on me with repeated plays. "A Lifetime" appeared on the previous album, but here it is presented with a subtle re-arrangement, perhaps to catch those new to the band. The only disappointment is that this band has been drip feeding new songs onto its website, and onto the end of the recent "Live" album, that were - to my ears - some of their best ever. Perhaps it is simply the presentation of 9 new songs in one go that takes the edge off the excitement of a new album. Essentially, here is a band at the height of their powers, making music that's wonderful. For me, the album is only spoiled by their having treated fans to so many recent offerings that my expectations were raised too high. No doubt I'll want to give it 5 stars before the year is out, but for now a very solid 4.... und wie: wer "Deluxe" und "Friction Baby" liebt, dem wird auch diese CD sofort ans Herz wachsen. Endlich wieder schnörkellose, handgemachte, melodiöse Songs. (die für meinen Geschmack völlig überflüssigen Elektronik- und Soundexperimente von "How Does Your Garden Grow" und "Closer" fehlen gottseidank)Überwiegend rockig geht's hier zu - die ein oder andere Ballade fehlt aber auch nicht. Dazu Kevin Griffins unverwechselbare Stimme und die Melodien gehen Dir den ganzen Tag nicht aus dem Kopf - also CD mit ins Auto, Fenster runter, Volume auf 360 und los gehts. Schade nur, dass die Jungs zwar wie besessen kreuz und quer durch die USA touren, sich hierzulande aber ewig nicht haben sehen lassen.Closerは聞いてないけど、それ以前の作品と比べた第1印象はPOP。4〜6の湿っぽいカンジが個人的には大好き。9,10には実験的な姿勢が見られるけどあとの曲はずいぶんとさわやかで、この長いキャリアでここにたどりつくか....感はかんじられる。とは言っても「悪くはないよ」ということで、以前からのファンにはぜひ買ってほしい1枚。よく聞いてみると、13なんかも結構きれいなバラードだしね。