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IN THIS ISSUE:
Fest-Heaven or Festi-Hell? / Birmingham BTE's "Imperfect" / Graham Colton Band Ezra Radio / USAToday Pic Just the Fakts Ma'am The Bootlog The Reviews BTE Caption News & Links TTOY Hall of Fame BTE Impressions |
BTE UNVEILS "IMPERFECT"
On Sunday, June 27th BTE added a streaming demo version of the new song "Imperfect" to it’s website. The song took fans by surprise through its low-key introduction and it’s style, but it has won very positive reviews. As far as BTE's catalogue goes, the song is somewhat reminiscent of BTE’s "Tom Collins" which was the bonus track on the Japanese import version of How Does Your Garden Grow? The song has a punk-pop edge to it that creates a sound not unlike a mix of Blur’s "Song 2" and early Joe Jackson tunes from the "I’m the Man" album. Lyrically, the song takes a forceful jab at today’s image-conscious and cosmetic surgery-obsessed society. Thankfully, message board regular Shari was able to suss out the lyrics for our readers. Here’s the best take on the lyrics to date (pending official confirmation): "Imperfect" Jump
back Let's hope Ezralites get to hear this tune live very, very soon... Editor's Note: To hear "Imperfect" check out the rare mp3 section linked from the front page of www.betterthanezra.com |
GRAHAM COLTON BAND’S "DRIVE" SUCCESSFULLY FITS A
SQUARE PEG Rating (5 Point Scale):
If your first exposure to a band is some very good live performances, you leave yourself wide-open for disappointment when you get to hear their first major label CD. Not so with the Graham Colton Band’s "Drive." This is a very good collection of pop-rock tunes that gets better and better as you listen to it. Of course, an album is more than just a collection of tunes. Famed producer Brendan O’Brien manages to deliver the "gestalt" that makes the CD more than just the sum of its (admittedly) catchy parts. This process necessarily involves compromise, but that’s what you have to do fit the square peg (the live performance) into the round hole (the studio product). Credit goes to the band’s songwriting duo – Graham Colton and Brian "Turtle" Turton – for having the humility to work with more experienced artists. "Don’t Give Up On Me," the first single, was co-penned by Colton, Turton, and Dan Wilson (of Semisonic). It dishes the listener a good slice of the band’s ever-more energetic live shows. Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra contributes on no less than five tunes including the CD’s best effort "Cigarette." This is the band's stellar live song (for my money) which seems to embody one of those most peculiar of relationship situations -- i.e., where you wish you were less of a decent person so you could end a relationship that much easier (at least I think that's what it's saying): You make me wanna smoke a
cigarette The Graham Colton Band have spent a lot time in the past few years opening for established road-warriors like Better Than Ezra, Counting Crows, Guster, and John Mayer. As this CD ably demonstrates their craft is finely honed and it’s time for them to take their place among their peers. The Tracks Don’t Give Up On Me Since You Broke It First Week* Morning Light* Sending a Note Cigarette* Killing Me How Low (Breakdown)* Cut* South All the World Tonight *Tracks co-written with Kevin Griffin of BTE.
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