The Album Review: Smash Mouth's Summer Girl
I'll make this easy and start with the bottom line: Go buy it. At least go check out the 2 tracks on their MySpace (Story of My Life and So Insane) and think about it.
...but because I want to, this is my album review.
1. "The Crawl" -written by Greg Camp, This is a great opener. It has something to say, like pretty much most of their work. Think about it. If "All Star" wasn't so damn overplayed more people would realize how brilliant it is. This song is angry, it's clever, Steve Harwell loves it and so should you.
2. "Everyday Superhero" -written by Steve Harwell, Matthew Gerrard, & Robbie Nevil, When I first saw this title, I was worried. I don't know why I was, I was being a stupid fan. I was so worried about this album I was actually judging songs by titles. I thought "please don't let this be some crap about ordinary people being superheroes in their own lives" I should trust my favorite band more than that. This song is about an actual superhero. And it's great. My mom says you should like it. No, really. She knows all the words already.
3. "So Insane" - written by Greg Camp and Paul DeLisle, This thing is perfect. If radio didn't suck it would be as big as "All Star" was. Holy shit, I love this song. It makes me want to get up and accomplish something, which I think is the point. "This is our battle cry make no mistake" It's fucking awesome live, by the way.
4. "Girl Like You" - written by Paul DeLisle, This song has a story to it, I think. It would almost fit in with their first album stuff. It's one of the ones that I just think was made for Steve to sing. And the guitar is woot. I <3 Greg.
5."Getaway Car" - written by Greg Camp, I love this. I should probably stop saying that, because it applies to all of them. This is the obligatory vaguely dirty song. And it makes me think of Roy Mustang...it was a miniskirt reference, okay? It rocks hardcore live. I'll stop saying that, too. I think the guy in the story is getting rejected, possibly because he's a creep who says things like "don't tell your daddy, don't tell the police" BUT it's a SONG and it's good and fun. (and these guys are some of the nicest people I've ever met) oh, and GUITAR!!!!!!
6. "Story of My Life" -written by Steve Harwell Matthew Gerrard, & Robbie Nevil, HOLY SHIT. This is such a classic Smash Mouth song. It could be a huge radio hit too, if it had the chance. It's another one that everyone can relate to and it's just good. It's catchy and clever. It was the first one from the album to make it onto the MySpace. I listened to it about 20 times a day for a lot of the summer.
7. "Right Side, Wrong Bed" - written by Greg Camp, This is the slower song on the album, but I like it. Greg gets to show off. It's insightful. Michael Klooster played the melodia on it. It's cool, one of those "different" songs that doesn't sound a lot like their others.
8. "Summer Girl" - written by Greg Camp, This one is totally a story. It's happy. I understand why it's the title song. And the bit about the "pocket full of sandy change" is a great image. Probably would do better with the public in summer though. Woe to the distribution of this album.
9. "Hey L.A." -written by Greg Camp, And this is where the album gets really kick ass and stays there. This one could be STRAIGHT off Fush Yu Mang (1st album, yo), much harsher, faster, more yelling. I LOVE IT. And the guitar. And I'm sorry, anyone who can get the word "governator" into a song should get an award. Period. Also, "everybody walks in L.A." is not only true, but reminds me of that interview of James Spader with Ellen DeGeneres... anyway, it kicks ass.
10. "Quality Control" -written by Greg Camp, unless I am very very wrong, this is the Stick It To the Man song. In short, radio sucks and fuck you, FCC. I think it's absolutely brilliant. Censorship is bullshit.
11. "Beautiful Bomb" -written by Greg Camp, this is the best song about the planet Earth ever. You should hear it. I am right now and it rocks.
I don't have words enough to praise Paul. Or Jason Sutter, who I saw do a solo live and ROCKS. Michael Urbano, apparently you ARE on this CD on 8 tracks, I still think you are awesome, even if you're not the drummer anymore. Hell, Smash Mouth goes through a lot of drummers. Steve, dude, so awesome. And Greg, holy shit man, you are amazing. I can't believe I forgot to thank you for "Shoes N' Hats" when I had the chance...
...but because I want to, this is my album review.
1. "The Crawl" -written by Greg Camp, This is a great opener. It has something to say, like pretty much most of their work. Think about it. If "All Star" wasn't so damn overplayed more people would realize how brilliant it is. This song is angry, it's clever, Steve Harwell loves it and so should you.
2. "Everyday Superhero" -written by Steve Harwell, Matthew Gerrard, & Robbie Nevil, When I first saw this title, I was worried. I don't know why I was, I was being a stupid fan. I was so worried about this album I was actually judging songs by titles. I thought "please don't let this be some crap about ordinary people being superheroes in their own lives" I should trust my favorite band more than that. This song is about an actual superhero. And it's great. My mom says you should like it. No, really. She knows all the words already.
3. "So Insane" - written by Greg Camp and Paul DeLisle, This thing is perfect. If radio didn't suck it would be as big as "All Star" was. Holy shit, I love this song. It makes me want to get up and accomplish something, which I think is the point. "This is our battle cry make no mistake" It's fucking awesome live, by the way.
4. "Girl Like You" - written by Paul DeLisle, This song has a story to it, I think. It would almost fit in with their first album stuff. It's one of the ones that I just think was made for Steve to sing. And the guitar is woot. I <3 Greg.
5."Getaway Car" - written by Greg Camp, I love this. I should probably stop saying that, because it applies to all of them. This is the obligatory vaguely dirty song. And it makes me think of Roy Mustang...it was a miniskirt reference, okay? It rocks hardcore live. I'll stop saying that, too. I think the guy in the story is getting rejected, possibly because he's a creep who says things like "don't tell your daddy, don't tell the police" BUT it's a SONG and it's good and fun. (and these guys are some of the nicest people I've ever met) oh, and GUITAR!!!!!!
6. "Story of My Life" -written by Steve Harwell Matthew Gerrard, & Robbie Nevil, HOLY SHIT. This is such a classic Smash Mouth song. It could be a huge radio hit too, if it had the chance. It's another one that everyone can relate to and it's just good. It's catchy and clever. It was the first one from the album to make it onto the MySpace. I listened to it about 20 times a day for a lot of the summer.
7. "Right Side, Wrong Bed" - written by Greg Camp, This is the slower song on the album, but I like it. Greg gets to show off. It's insightful. Michael Klooster played the melodia on it. It's cool, one of those "different" songs that doesn't sound a lot like their others.
8. "Summer Girl" - written by Greg Camp, This one is totally a story. It's happy. I understand why it's the title song. And the bit about the "pocket full of sandy change" is a great image. Probably would do better with the public in summer though. Woe to the distribution of this album.
9. "Hey L.A." -written by Greg Camp, And this is where the album gets really kick ass and stays there. This one could be STRAIGHT off Fush Yu Mang (1st album, yo), much harsher, faster, more yelling. I LOVE IT. And the guitar. And I'm sorry, anyone who can get the word "governator" into a song should get an award. Period. Also, "everybody walks in L.A." is not only true, but reminds me of that interview of James Spader with Ellen DeGeneres... anyway, it kicks ass.
10. "Quality Control" -written by Greg Camp, unless I am very very wrong, this is the Stick It To the Man song. In short, radio sucks and fuck you, FCC. I think it's absolutely brilliant. Censorship is bullshit.
11. "Beautiful Bomb" -written by Greg Camp, this is the best song about the planet Earth ever. You should hear it. I am right now and it rocks.
I don't have words enough to praise Paul. Or Jason Sutter, who I saw do a solo live and ROCKS. Michael Urbano, apparently you ARE on this CD on 8 tracks, I still think you are awesome, even if you're not the drummer anymore. Hell, Smash Mouth goes through a lot of drummers. Steve, dude, so awesome. And Greg, holy shit man, you are amazing. I can't believe I forgot to thank you for "Shoes N' Hats" when I had the chance...