When you think about it, House of Pain really were ahead of their time. Tracks like "Jump Around" may have been light on the content side, but they delivered in the production department--they played with sounds in the sam... more »e way that Missy Elliott and Timbaland have popularized, and they crossed over to a rock audience long before Puffy ever tried it. On Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, Everlast's second solo album, the opening is an appropriation of "The Fat Boys are Back"; a couple of songs favor a sensitive folk-rock touch, with Everlast on guitar; and others reach back for House of Pain's best rock-influenced sounds. Though plenty of others have rhymed over rock and folk tracks, Everlast has a good feel for it and his songs are solid. If this isn't a career album, it's damn close. --Randy Silver« less
When you think about it, House of Pain really were ahead of their time. Tracks like "Jump Around" may have been light on the content side, but they delivered in the production department--they played with sounds in the same way that Missy Elliott and Timbaland have popularized, and they crossed over to a rock audience long before Puffy ever tried it. On Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, Everlast's second solo album, the opening is an appropriation of "The Fat Boys are Back"; a couple of songs favor a sensitive folk-rock touch, with Everlast on guitar; and others reach back for House of Pain's best rock-influenced sounds. Though plenty of others have rhymed over rock and folk tracks, Everlast has a good feel for it and his songs are solid. If this isn't a career album, it's damn close. --Randy Silver
John L. (Yaz) from WILMINGTON, NC Reviewed on 1/28/2007...
EVERLAST
0 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
READ THIS RE-VIEW BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND BUY THE CD!
01/21/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a pretty good cd to listen to, just let it play, but before you but it, you should know what kind of cd this is. Even though you've herd "what it's like" on the radio and maybe "ends" too, those are the only two songs on the cd that are mainly a smooth accustic sound. The rest of the cd is all rap, with turn tables.However if, and only if you listen very carefully there is the guitar in the backround. So before you go out and buy the cd, take this re-view into conccideration. If you have a friend that has the cd, i would addvise you to ask him if he could play it for you or let you borrow it, so you can hear it and be sure if you want it or not."
Okay, okay, okay...
Drew | USA | 04/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You know, sometimes I get tired of people.I'm tired of the people on here, whining and moaning because they bought the CD for "What It's Like" and got some rap songs. Okay, then, quick question. If you didn't want any rap, why did you buy a CD featuring someone who used to be in House of Pain -- A RAP GROUP?Now, to the CD. Not that I'm an extremely huge rap fan (a moderate fan, yes), but this CD really appealed to me. It's a blend of thoughtful acoustic-laced ballads and hard-hitting rap. "Ends" and "What It's Like" are probably the best songs on the album, but it's not your standard "They-released-the-only-good-songs-on-single" CD."Today (Watch Me Shine)" is a somewhat mournful song, while "Painkillers" is a thoughtful rap stint in which Everlast raps from the point of view of a paraplegic who was shot trying to be tough under the influence of drugs. "Funky Beat" is your standard party song with, indeed, a funky beat. One of the closing tracks, "Seven Days" is a mixture of singing and rapping backed by a brass section which is actually upbeat.Overall? I like it. I like it alot."
"What It's Like" is a good song, otherwise...
Ryan A. Rigg | 03/24/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is ok. Marky Mark and Vanilla Ice were practically crucified for being white boy rappers. But now Everlast and Eminem are totally accepted as white boy rappers. I guess as long as you look like a gangsta or a thug, then it is ok. Well, I did like House of Pain's "Jump Around". And I did like "What It's Like" when it came out (although I would hardly call it a "rap" song). If you are into this kind of rap/rock music, I am sure you will enjoy this CD. If you just liked "What It's Like", you might not like this entire CD. "What It's Like" is more like a male vocalist singer/songwriter tune in the tradition of Shawn Mullins, Duncan Sheik, etc. The rest of this CD is more rap oriented. So if you are looking for a CD full of male vocalist introspective tunes, you won't find it here."
Everlast's debut solo album has something for everyone.
Minh Nguyen | 08/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As soon as I started up "Whitey" I feared for the worst with the awful opener: "The white boy is back", but as soon as "Money" started I knew this was just an early blip which I'm glad Everlast got out of his system. "Ends", though, is the song which really starts this album in the right direction. The amazing "What it's like" just softens the tone down a little before jumping into the funky "Get down". A mixture of experimental tracks follow, each and everyone different, but equally brilliant. "Hot to death" ,for example, would be welcomed on a "Crowbar" album. Then one of the best songs on the album; "Painkillers" appears before a hilarious intro from Prince Paul to anther gem: "Praise the Lord". The slow and 'simple' "Today" follows before the funky and easily dance-able tune:"Death comes callin'"-even if you are a white boy. Another funky Grand Master type tune follows only to be followed by a ballad. Yes I did write ballad, but this is brilliant espacially if you've just broken up with your girl. The second last song, "7 years" starts with that intro to "Hard to handle" by Otis Redding and the piano and trumpets only go to make the song another classic on one of finest and most varied albums I've ever heard. Don't expect House of Pain. Just expect a near perfect album."