Introduction: The first formal introduction of Everclear to the world of
rock, “World of Noise” was first released under a small label and eventually was
re-released under the Capitol Records label. The only real commercial success came with
“Fire Maple Song,” but WoN features some more of the patented Everclear lyrics
over a good selection of rock.
Track Listing
1.) Your Genius Hands - Starting out the CD fast, “Your
Genius Hands” features a simple repeated progression with a couple of variations
throughout. The song is really driven by it’s lyrics, which are some of the CD’s
best.
“I am growing now as I watch you fade. Now I know what you know and I’ll break
the chains that you have made. These chains you’ve made for me, I will pull you down.
I know I’ll fail in style.”
Track Value: $1.00
2.) Sick & Tired - Starting off with a heavily distorted
bass riff, “Sick & Tired” brings the message that it’s title suggests.
It’s basically about being fed up with every aspect of your life. A solid song with
some good riffs, but still not Everclear’s best.
“I know I’m close to the fall, I know I’m dangerous. I know I’m not
going down alone.”
Track Value: $0.75
3.) The Laughing World - My personal favorite from the CD,
“Laughing World” comes at you with fast vocals and a fast guitar riff
throughout. At 2:04, it’s over before you know it started, but if you listen real
carefully, some great lyrics come through.
“I always fall on you face first, head down, eyes closed, arms out to break my
fall.”
Track Value: $2.00
4.) Fire Maple Song - As mentioned earlier, FMS is the only
commercial success to come from “World of Noise.” A slow song with a somewhat
melancholy theme, FMS provides a lot of feeling when addressing the news that an old flame
has passed on.
“I think I’m gonna go back to the house in North Carolina and lay in the back
yard, get drunk and let the leaves just bury me...I can’t smile.”
Track Value: $2.50
5.) Pennsylvania is... - Basically a moderately paced
political song. Art Alexakis has always been an active voice when it comes to politics,
and this deals with abortion rights in the aforementioned state. Not exactly for everyone.
“Fell into a teenage love she’d grow to hate. He’s in prison now since he
beat her down, he got her pregnant and she made it go away.”
Track Value: $0.75
6.) Nervous & Weird - A really solid song in the middle
of the CD. Another relationship song with some really good guitar riffs and a couple of
really great lines to give the song a hook.
“I would break in half if you said it loud, splinter out of my self just like
mercury.”
“I see your scary dolls, they always look at me. From the corner of my eyes I see
them shake their heads.”
Track Value: $1.45
7.) Malevolent - A slower, darker song with an intense Art
singing about good ol’ domestic violence. It’s good for what it is, but once
again, it’s not for everyone.
Track Value: $1.00
8.) Sparkle - Simply the best lyrics in the album. A pretty
good guitar riff pulls the song through, but the lyrics, from top to bottom simply
sparkle. Hey, imagine that. I made a funny.
“We were all charmed and taken with your talk, now I shudder when I hear the rhythm
of your walk.”
“I wonder if you’re giving in, tell me why you’re giving in?”
Track Value: $2.10
9.) Trust Fund - A rehash of an old Colorfinger song
(Art’s former group), “Trust Fund” comes out hard and manages to lose a bit
of it’s charm from the original version. Some more good lyrics, but I prefer the
original.
“She takes it all and gives it back in love to handsome artists in her native
state.”
Track Value: $0.50
10.) Loser Makes Good - A good, somewhat depressed song with
a nice slow riff throughout and a neat-o “sing song chorus” as mentioned in the
jewel case insert. The song is basically about a short interaction between a bum and a
college student. Real good lyrics.
“You say it’s Christmas eve. That don’t mean nothing to me. Just another
f**ked up day, just another waste of time.”
“You smart ass college f**k, act like you think you’re tall. I was just like
you, more bright than you could know.”
Track Value: $2.20
11.) Invisible - Another emotionally charged song about
someone living with AIDS. With really enraged lyrics and a hard hitting bass part,
“Invisible” is up in your face and slightly discomforting. A really interesting
song.
“I just can’t believe that AIDS is just some act of God.”
“I will reach for you, I will reach my hand. No one will reach for me, no one will
touch my skin.”
Track Value: $1.00
12.) Evergleam - Personally, I’m a bit confused about
the lyrics to this song, but it delivers a fast paced end to WoN. A good song that proves
an enjoyable end to an enjoyable CD.
“Evergleam and I know why. God is good and Jesus loves me, heaven lives and I know
where.”
Track Value: $1.10
Conclusion: Overall, “World of Noise” really set a solid base for
Everclear’s career, as it provides some good solid rock music with the great lyrics
that we have come to expect from Art, Craig, and Greg. Basically, if you like anything
from SFAAM vol. 2, you’ll enjoy this one. My only knock is that the quality of the
sound on the CD is slightly dated.
Album worth: $16.35
Album price: $12.99 |
