Daydream believers

Everclear is one of those bands who produce great music that everyone knows but no one is quite sure where it came from. In recent years, the band has received a huge amount of airplay from both alternative and mainstream radio. Songs like "Santa Monica" are representative of a generation but the band itself is relatively unknown and has received little credit for their work in Australia.

Everclear has a distinctive south California sound. Their music is a great combination of philosophical and often funny lyrics backed by hard, thrashy guitar. They are grown up and groovy at the same time.

Their south Californian sound is no accident; the guys hail from Portland, Oregon. Since being signed by Capitol records in 1994, the band has gone from strength to strength. Their latest album Slow Motion Daydream is set to catapult them into the upper echelon of the rock hierarchy.

The new album is a real creeper, at first, it all sounds a little bit the same but after a few listens the lyrics seep into your mind and the truly clever use of words and sounds becomes clear.

Favourites on this album have to include "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom" its lyrics are hilarious. They may be on to something - perhaps all the porn-stars do become Volvo driving soccer mums; they have to go somewhere.

"Want to Die a Beautiful Death" is an incredible track it has a real mainstream sound it gets your toes tapping but also has lyrics that grip your heart. Everclear has proven with this album that they can do deep and meaningful, mainstream top forty and hard alternative rock, it is a great mix.

"New Blue Champion" is Everclear at its absolute best. This track rocks, its lyrics make you look hard at yourself and it sounds great pumping loud, through the speakers in your car.

The limited edition of this album contains a bonus disc. Now many albums have bonus discs and most of us never play them because they usually contain crappy "B" sides but this really is a bonus. It is a five track disc and has live versions of "Santa Monica", at Woodstock and "Heroin Girl", in Toronto.

Their impressive writing style makes Everclear stand out from the rest and this album is the progression of a band set for great things. Just sounding good is not enough Everclear understand the elements necessary for them to cross over the barrier between teenage and adult fans.

This album can make you search your soul, laugh your guts out, and dance until you drop. It is those elements that make this album unforgettable and Everclear true masters of their craft.

Nicole Scanes