Copyright 2002 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
June 29, 2002

"Despite the pain, it's all good for Better Than Ezra"
by Gemma Tarlach.

Considering all it's been through -- the tragic suicide of a founding member, label shuffles and 14 years of being always the bridesmaid, never the bride, despite arguably influencing an entire genre -- Better Than Ezra is weathering fate's cruel design better than most.

Performing to an overflow crowd Friday at the Miller Lite Oasis, the New Orleans act rocked out ever so sensitively with jangly alt-pop that would have seemed derivative of any number of bands -- matchbox 20, Semisonic, you name it -- were it not for the fact that Ezra preceded them all but somehow never got its due.

If the band is bitter, they don't show it. Their music is still some of the friendliest, warmest music of the genre.