A quantum leap in quality. Salmon joins the bigtime.
John A.W. Polsgrove | Tucson, Baja Arizona | 12/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK, Bridges to Bert was fun. But it just didn't quite click with me. I gave it 4 stars out of niceness. I guess it was a letdown after Ask the Fish. Euphoria is a euphoric album whose only shortcoming is its shortish (42 minutes) duration. C'mon, guys, you could have jammed something out, done another Zep cover, or something. Despite its relative brevity, this is a cohesive effort and well worth owning. I hope Salmon keep true to their roots as a polythethnicslammgrass (or whatever they call it) band, because they've got the right formula for me. It's time for a double live CD! String Cheese Incident has the phenomenal live Carnival '99 coming out in February 2000, but I was lucky and got an advance copy. Salmon, it's time for you guys to do a double live, too. Jam some of these tunes out for us! Nashville Sessions was a treat, but a second live album is long overdue... Meanwhile, Euphoria still glows..."
The Only Consistency is that it's a Joy All the Way Through
Hal Kronsberg | Indianola, Mississippi | 02/16/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The notion that this band somehow manages to seamlessly interweave cajun music and bluegrass into accessible popish music is a bit farfetched. Instead, the idea behind "polyethnic cajun slamgrass" seems to be just an excuse to play any and all kinds of music on the album.Leftover Salmon's second major label album doesn't have even one ounce of consistency with regard to the styles of music in each track; however, what bleeds through each track is the band's love of their music, whatever music they happen to be playing at the moment. That joy is totally infectious and I can't imagine trying to get through this album without the desire to crack a smile and move your feet.Admittedly, the album get's off to a pretty poor start, "Better" is presicely the kind of bland, generic jam-band studio track that the band seems to be all about not being at all about. "Highway Song" is a little better, and the band begins to show the listener how it can combine bluegrass and pop rock together.The band oscilates a little between a cajun/calypso sound and a more country-oriented bluegrass sound on the different tracks. "Funky Mountain Fogdown" and "Ain't Gonna Work" are pretty nice platforms for the band's virtuosic instramental abilities.The whole album truly peaks and comes together on it's final track, "Euphoria". The song doesn't really fit with any one particular musical style. However, if "Happy" were a musical style, this would be one of its archetypal songs. It's simply a joy to hear and sing along with.Personally, I think this is definitely Leftover Salmon's best album and certainly the first to pick up. Every track isn't a standout, but it makes for a really entertaining listen."
Real, Solid, Pure, Good
Joe Wallace | Blisstonia | 06/16/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When will they treat us with another release? "Euphoria" was the much anticipated studio follow up to "Ask the Fish", thier monumental live recording. I highly recomend this CD to anyone who hasn't heard it, but since it came out 3 years ago I doubt there is a Salmon fan left that isnt familiar. The CD itself is a showcase of Modern rock (Better), traditional Bluegrass (Aint Gonna Work, Funky Mountain Fogdown) and Country-ballads (Baby hold on, this is the time, Highway Song). It's the same old Salmon, up to their occasional goofiness (Euphoria) at some points. The sound on the CD is superb, making it a package deal worth picking up until the next one swims in !!!! Enjoy."
Bait
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 08/18/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This 1997 studio release, is a real good place to jump in and get your feet wet for all things: "Leftover Salmon". This Slamgrass-Jam-Band is known mostly for their Live Shows, but even the cold digital studio, sounds like a party when The Salmon are swimming in it. This CD called: "Eupohoria" has some really good tunes on it. The playing and singing here is: Top-Notch. Mixing acoustic and electric instuments and too-many musical styles, you just cannot put a 'Tag' on LS music. There is a definate Country/Bluegrass mix with a lot of Cajun/Fusion, thrown in to confuse the new listener. Back in my Century, we called this: "Good-Time Music", and by cracky, it is!
I discovered Leftover Salmon along with The String Cheese Incident by the proper fashion as I attended one of their Concerts knowning nothing or having heard one note by either Band going in. Well, It was quite a day, both Groups were great, and it was a pretty fine five hour show.
With: Drew Emmitt, on mandolin, guitars and vocals Mark Vann: banjos and vocals, Vince Herman: guitars and vocals, Tye North: bass and vocals and Mike Wooten: drums and percussion, this a Crack Bunch of players. The vocals and harmonies are real nice as well. My two favorite LS songs are right here on "Euphoria", and they are: "River's Rising" & "Highway Song".
Other tunes such as: "This is the Time" and "Muddy Water Home" are almost as good as my two faves.
When old-timers start up the: "How come there ain't no good music being made anymore?" rant, it is music such as this, I will play. Bands such as: Leftover Salmon and The String Cheese Incident, DO carry on a proud tradition of Good Ol' American Music that makes the toes tap and the young-in's dance & twrill. You don't have to be of any particular age group to enjoy this Music, just bring ears and Leftover Salmon will do the rest.
"Leftoversalmons record "EUHORIA" is the BEST salmon cd ever on a scale of 1-10 i give it a 12 if you even havent heard of them before get it just to know you have the best this one couldnt be better."