Back in the '80s, Eddie was a Jersey rocker who could reliably fill the Stone Pony long after Bruce Springsteen had outgrown it. Following a bitter label dispute and a string of self-released recordings, Who the Hell is Jo... more »hn Eddie? is his first major-label-distributed CD in over a decade. During the intervening years, his roots rock has drifted closer to country-rock, the best example of which is "Let Me Down Hard," though echoes of Springsteen can still be heard on a few songs, such as "Everything." These songs are fine, if a bit generic, but they're better than Eddie?s attempts at humor, which represent nearly half the album. "Low Life," for example, is closer to Jeff Foxworthy territory than the Randy Newman satire to which it aspires. And "Forty" is worse: an older guy?s lament that doubles as an insult to his even older friends. Clearly, Eddie?s taken some hard knocks--the album's title comes from the sort of drunken heckler he?s faced many times during his down years--but an overblown, self-pitying response like "Play Some Skynyrd" offers perhaps too clear an answer: He?s a competent club rocker who splits his time between mugging for his audience and mocking it. --Keith Moerer« less
Back in the '80s, Eddie was a Jersey rocker who could reliably fill the Stone Pony long after Bruce Springsteen had outgrown it. Following a bitter label dispute and a string of self-released recordings, Who the Hell is John Eddie? is his first major-label-distributed CD in over a decade. During the intervening years, his roots rock has drifted closer to country-rock, the best example of which is "Let Me Down Hard," though echoes of Springsteen can still be heard on a few songs, such as "Everything." These songs are fine, if a bit generic, but they're better than Eddie?s attempts at humor, which represent nearly half the album. "Low Life," for example, is closer to Jeff Foxworthy territory than the Randy Newman satire to which it aspires. And "Forty" is worse: an older guy?s lament that doubles as an insult to his even older friends. Clearly, Eddie?s taken some hard knocks--the album's title comes from the sort of drunken heckler he?s faced many times during his down years--but an overblown, self-pitying response like "Play Some Skynyrd" offers perhaps too clear an answer: He?s a competent club rocker who splits his time between mugging for his audience and mocking it. --Keith Moerer
"Keith Moerer is dead wrong with his review of John Eddie's Who the Hell Is John Eddie? Moerer is the type of person that eats fast food, while driving a fast rented car, to a fast date, with fast and superficial conversation, followed by fast, probably way to fast, sex. Maybe John Eddie has taken some hard knocks. Maybe that's the reason for this recording's character. Moerer couldn't understand, he never made it to the first bonus track after 12. He rushed through his one time listen on a Sunday night... half asleep in front of an old Mickey Mouse cartoon. If Bruce Springsteen wrote "Low Life" Moerer would call it sociologically challenging... an attempt to shine light on our troubled society." After all it's what he would think he was supposed to write. Moerer calls "Forty" "an older guys lament that doubles as an insult to his even older friends." Makes me wonder how old Moerer is, or if he's paid attention while his life was making a statement. Moerer's a not so competent online critic who spends his time mugging an artist that has made a record that will stand the test of time. Of course Moerer knows little about time."
Finally the real deal
Stephen S Urbish | 05/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't buy cds because generally there are only one or two really solid songs on them. I heard this song from John Eddie on the radio when I was in San Diego and I loved it, but had no intention of buying it because I was sure the song I heard on the radio would be the only good thing on it. I was wrong. After listening to a friend rave about him live, I decided throw caution and $... to the wind and take a chance. From beginning to end this cd is filled with one song after another that is intelligent, hooky, humorous and makes you want to learn every lyric and sing a long. I don't know where he came from, but thank god there are still artists out there who care enough to put out a solid album, not just 2 or 3 good songs. My new favorite cd "Who The Hell is John Eddie"."
Veteran Rocker Presents Best Work
Julianna's Mom | NYC | 06/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This latest album from veteran New Jersey rocker, John Eddie, is quite clearly his best work and is the cumulative product of years of great highs, desperate lows, and "steady jobs" as a singer/songwriter in the often unforgiving music industry. Eddie's music has a rare honesty about it. There is no hype. And there is no pretense. He has you laughing along with him as he laughs at himself (Forty) and makes you feel each empty mile and each lonely hour which separates a man who has spent too long on the road away from the love who he hopes still waits for him at home (If You're Here When I Get Back). His songs often hauntingly reach that emotional level where you feel you yourself have hung in the balance before. You find yourself identifying with the heart of the man left behind by his lover amid a box of letters which he cannot yet read because "it's been too soon" (Everything). Each song has its key line, which stops you in your tracks and gives you pause to think deeply, a talent Eddie has perfected. As an entertainer, Eddie is unparalleled in his electrifying, dynamic performances, and while it is true that to see him live is to become and instant, and perhaps faithful fan, this album brings forth the essence of the live performance in many of the tracks owing in large part to the precision guitars (PK Lavengood) and the unmistakable drums (Kenny Arnonoff). Although fans may feel that the music has changed since his earlier works, they will find it has evolved in a way which seems to reflect a long road of self discovery and experience, and mirror more of the man he is. All of this serves to capture on disc the honesty, depth, vulnerability, seasoned edge, sense of humor, and boyish charm that is John Eddie. No one will be disappointed."
John Eddie is New Jersey's version of The Ramones
J. Surowiecki | Hanover Park, Illinois | 07/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Much like The Ramones, John Eddie is appreciated only by his fans. Also like The Ramones, John Eddie will be appreciated long after he is gone. And also like The Ramones, John is far too talented for his own good. With all the homogenized radio stations across the country, it's a shame that a lot of this album isn't getting the airplay it deserves. His newest album is a creative mix of songs. In an attempt to cross over, he's sprinkled in some country tunes along with some genuinely fun rockers. Those who dislike "Let Me Down Hard" will learn to appreciate it when their hearts are broken a time or two in the near future. If you don't care for it, you just can't relate. Check back when you can.Forty isn't a radio track. That's part of the joke. Sorry if some of the others don't get that joke. It's still funny and as he said live, "This song could go on forever." Hope it does, John. I hope it does. As a live act, there is none better. Saw him this past Friday in Chicago and left after his set. There was no need to see Southside Johnny. I'd already seen the talent.John Eddie's work is F-U-N. He has obvious fun performing it. He has obvious fun recording it. You will have fun listening to it. His live album is still his best, but as a studio album, this is a whole heck of a lot of FUN. The hidden tracks are great and deserve airplay.For those of you keeping score.... he's lying. He's 44. (New lyric.)I know who the hell is John Eddie. Pity more people don't. They should."
Worth the wait
Stephen S Urbish | 06/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We saw John for the first time in Reno, NV and did indeed ask "who the hell is this guy?" We enjoyed his performance so much that we asked about purchasing the songs he performed. Although this CD was due out November 2002, it was definitely worth the wait. I agree with the customer reviewer who stated that the Amazon reviewer doesn't "get" John's sense of humor. All the songs touch you in some way if you really listen. This is my new favorite CD too!! If you can find him on the West Coast by all means see him and definitely buy this CD."