Search - 54-40 :: Smilin Buddha Cabaret

They rock!

JOHN SWIGONSKI | North Tonawanda (near Buffalo, NY, USA) | 06/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That's what a friend told me upon returning this CD to me after borrowing it. And he's right! Underrated in America (of course), this Canadian band has carved out a spot for itself in rock and roll history. I believe that every good band has at least one album/cd that can be called a masterpiece. And Smiling Buddha Cabaret is the crowning jewel, in my opinion, for 5440. If one starts with song number three, you'll understand how important this band is to music. 'Daisy' is a languid, laid back philosophical kind of a song. One line goes; "Is a joke just a joke, or hate with a mask?". The guitar on the song "Once a Killer" evokes memories of a song by the historic band "America", who had a hit song with "A Horse With no Name". The next four songs just rip; good, pure hard rock! And it gets better. 'What Buddy Was' is a brutal song of remorse that somehow evokes a European disco vibe. And 'Save Yourself' reminds me of some of the breezy Rolling Stones songs of the early 70's. Of course, the worst songs, 'Radio Luv Song' and 'Assoholic' got the most airplay, along with 'Ocean Pearl'. But they too, rock. This CD is a must for anyone who appreciates Modern Rock (alternative), and hard rock. This CD is a gem, along the lines of 'OK Computer', 'Dark Side of the Moon', 'The Doors', etc."

Stomping Good Guitar Rock & Roll

Erik J. Fortmeyer | Brooklyn, NY USA | 06/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you dig great guitar-based garage band North American rock and roll music, then this is a disc for you! There is nothing flashy or poetic or gimmicky about 54-40. They are a four man electric guitar, bass, drums, and lead vocals band from Canada that rocks the house every gig they do. This album is one of the best they have ever done. Most Canadian rock stations still play several songs from this in daily radio rotation. "Punk Grass", "Lucy", and "Ocean Pearl" will induce frantic fits of uncontrolled air-guitaring and singing at the top of your lungs while "What Buddy Was" and "Save Yourself" will have your neighbors pounding on your walls asking you to turn it down or, more likely, "who is that and where can I get a copy?"The bottom line: Buy it if you love guitar rock and roll. Hear the real reason why Canada is still so cool."

One of the Essential Canadian CDs of 1990s

Hansol Lee | 04/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent follow up to "Dear Dear", their breakthrough CD. "Ocean Pearl" is a great song, and "Blame Your Parents" and "Radio Luv Song" are pretty catchy as well. (Their videos are also quite good.) This is unfortunately 54-40's last decent CD, however."