Most alternative bands today seem to be one amorphous band with hundreds of musicians all producing the same songs. Everclear has set apart themselves from this generic monster with their latest album, Songs From an American Movie, by using a rich variety of styles. For example, "Here We Go Again" and "AM Radio" use simple but effective sampling in the songs, similar to Beastie Boy's "Pauls' Boutique". "Learning How to Smile", "Otis Redding", and "Annabella's Song" use orchestral accompaniment similar to the Beatles "Sgt Pepper". And, there are songs such as "Wonderful" which is simply pure Everclear. This album isn't perfect though: there is a cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" which I thought was not necessary, and "Unemployed Boyfriend" uses an annoying voice over of a women talking about how she meets this guy at the unemployment office. However, there are many gems. "Wonderful" displays Everclear's great song writing ability; the hard-biting lyrics will remind you "Father of Mine". "Here We Go Again" and "AM Radio" have a funky back beat and are very catchy. This album is definitely the "Sgt Boutique" for Everclear. I hope they continue to produce songs with meaningful lyrics, depth, and variety.

With the advent of Everclear's new CD, "Songs From An American Movie, Vol. One: Learning How To Smile," comes an exquisite new breed of musical styling for Everclear. Although "American Movie" demonstrates the softer side of Everclear, it will please both new listeners as well as "die-hard/tried and true" Everclear fans. Songs like "Here We Go Again" and "AM Radio" display hints of 70's soul/pop. Other songs including "Wonderful," "Unemployed Boyfriend" and "Now That It's Over" have totally addictive rhythms which are coupled with the cutting down-to-earth/bottom line lyrics that front man Art Alexakis is famous for. The CD also contains a TOTALLY DIVINE cover of Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl."

The CD is a perfect blend of high-energy "shake your booty" songs as well as thoroughly enjoyable songs for "kick-back" listening. I find "American Movie" totally addictive. Each time I play the CD, I just want to dance and twirl around and around until I feel sick - just like when I was little girl. In fact, the CD may just prompt a new form of exercise for Everclear fans - EVERCLEAR-OBICS! I give it a 10+, 5-Star, A+ rating!

*-and Craig and Greg. Everclear's fourth full-length album, "Songs from an American movie, Vol. 1, Learning How To Smile", is Everclear's most accessible album yet, though that's not necessarily a bad thing at all. This is one of those albums that not only works quite well as a whole (the concept here, from what I have gathered, is Art's life or what could be many people's lives...falling in and out of love, growing up, hearing your favorite song on the radio, divorce, etc.), but also has many great moments of individual songs. Here's a track by track lowdown:

"Song From An American Movie, Pt. 1" is brief, yet fairly touching account of love for your child. Short and sweet.

"Here We Go Again" is real uptempo, laced with a Public Enemy sample and horns. It's as hip-hop as Everclear will probably ever get. The topic here: remembering falling in love.

"AM Radio" screams "radio single" because it's so catchy, upbeat, and effectively uses a sample from "Mr. Big Stuff" to hold it all together. The topic here: growing up all the while having music hold it all together. It's a song that I can not only relate to, but it's also one of the best ones on here.

"Brown Eyed Girl" is a cover of the legendary Van Morrison song. It's an uptempo rendition that has Everclear's stamp all over it, from the bass/drum interaction to Art's trademark vocals. Another potential radio song.

"Learning How To Smile" is where the strings kick in. Not my favorite track on here, it sounds the most like a song recorded for "So Much For The Afterglow". The topic here: holding on to your love.

"The Honeymoon Song" is where you have to make sure you've got the right CD in the player. The gentle, Hawaiian mandolin atmosphere created here is quite nice, coupled with Greg's (yes, Greg's) lead vocal make this the best lost 70's Beach Boys song I've ever heard.

"Now That It's Over" begins as a rewrite of "When The Levee Breaks", then rides the drum beat into what sounds like a chamberlain in the background, creating a sort of carnivalesque atmosphere. One of the best songs on here. The topic here: picking it all up now that the relationship is over.

"Thrift Store Chair" is a brief, countrified account of figuring it all out once it's over, doing what you can to cope. Nice little song.

"Otis Redding" is an account about looking back, wishing you could change or relive the past. Musically, it's a straightforward Everclear song, and it flows well.

"Unemployed Boyfriend" is more straightforward Everclear, interspersed with the annoying sound of a girl leaving a message on an answering machine. The only track on here I don't like.

"Wonderful" is the first single, the tale of a divorce, seen through the innocent child. It's the Everclear you know and love, both musically and lyrically.

The last track, "Annabella's Song" is a gentle lullaby that is a fitting closer. It's very nicely done, thoughtful and touching.

Overall, this is a great album. The expansion of Everclear's sound is great, and nothing on here sounds particularly tired or out of place. It's the great pop record I'm sure Art always wanted to make. If you think it sounds too soft for you, borrow it from a friend before you judge. If it is, just wait until this fall, when, I'm told, Vol. 2 will be out, rocking harder, sounding more like the post-punk 3 angry men a lot of Everclear fans love most. I can't wait, but I'm "wonderful" for the time being.

I miss the old Everclear! I was really excited to see a new album come out.. but I guess I'll stick to the old CD's. They seem to have softened up alot. I'm not completely disapointed so I think it deserves 3 stars.

If this work had come out early in Everclear's career, I doubt there would be an Everclear today. The songs with their new sound just don't work and the others just sound like so much rehashed material. Unemployed Boyfriend is destroyed by the annoying female narrative. Thrift Store Chair is a great song worthy of Everclear. Honeymoon Song, when was the last time you hit the "skip button" during an Everclear CD? Brown Eyed Girl...no reason for this one. Don't cover a song unless you can make it your own. AM Radio....how old are these guys? Now That it's Over another great song...the rest of the CD is neither good nor bad....just filler.