Kim Shattuck has a magic touch when it comes to hook-happy power pop. She writes the kind of catchy tunes that might seem effortless to compose but whose grace and precision come from more than just a nifty chord progressi... more »on. The former Pandora has the knack and the guitar chops to make these rollicking three-minute pop songs memorable--you practically need the jaws-of-life to get them out of your head. The raucous tunes about envy, jealousy, true love, and well-deserved enmity are delivered with the melodic surge of Nirvana combined with the chutzpah of the Shangri-Las. The deft rhythms of bassist Ronnie Barnett and drummer Roy McDonald give Shattuck a straightforward anchor for her crispy chords and cat-scratch vocals. Fans of the dirty sound of Happy Birthday to Me and Blonder and Blonder might worry that Alert's ultraclean production signals that the Muffs are going for a more high-class sound, but don't worry--they're not straying too far from their roots. They're just moving up to three-car-garage rock. --Lois Maffeo« less
Kim Shattuck has a magic touch when it comes to hook-happy power pop. She writes the kind of catchy tunes that might seem effortless to compose but whose grace and precision come from more than just a nifty chord progression. The former Pandora has the knack and the guitar chops to make these rollicking three-minute pop songs memorable--you practically need the jaws-of-life to get them out of your head. The raucous tunes about envy, jealousy, true love, and well-deserved enmity are delivered with the melodic surge of Nirvana combined with the chutzpah of the Shangri-Las. The deft rhythms of bassist Ronnie Barnett and drummer Roy McDonald give Shattuck a straightforward anchor for her crispy chords and cat-scratch vocals. Fans of the dirty sound of Happy Birthday to Me and Blonder and Blonder might worry that Alert's ultraclean production signals that the Muffs are going for a more high-class sound, but don't worry--they're not straying too far from their roots. They're just moving up to three-car-garage rock. --Lois Maffeo
"The ONLY reason the Muffs aren't as huge as the Beatles is everyone in the world at least right now has completely cruddy taste. The Muffs are quality, beautiful and have great songs. Why more people don't know about them is basically very telling about the pathetic state of mind of music right now. Alert Today Alive Tomorrow is a better record than the pathetic public deserve."
Loud and Fast and Hard and Catchy and Fun
John Oconnor | Merritt Island, FL United States | 08/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1974, the Ramones laid out the blueprint for how rock & roll bands are supposed to be built. It was simple: be loud and fast and hard and catchy and fun. Sometimes, I think only Kim Shattuck was paying attention. Before I came across the Muffs a few years back, I didn't think they made bands like this anymore: equal parts noiseband fuzz and bubblegum hooks, fun without being mindless, brainy without ramming it down your throat. And their latest album is a gorgeous achievement the way early Kinks albums are gorgeous, or pre-"Tommy" Who singles are gorgeous. Listen to "Dear Liar Love Me" for example: an understated organ intro that sounds like it was scraped off an old "Little Rascals" short segues abruptly into a huge crunchy riff. Just when you're tapping your foot to that, it's abandoned in a haze of feedback and a dense speed thrash takes over, complete with a solo section that echoes the original organ bit. That's art kids. Not snooty, boring, pretentious nonsense pretending to be art, but two and a half minutes of pure heavenly rock & roll art. And that's just one of the classics on this CD. The Muffs do rock the way you're supposed to do rock. Loud and fast and hard and catchy and fun."
The muffs are the best band in the world!
John Oconnor | 09/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"simply put, the muffs are the best! simple, straight ahead, pop punk.you can't go wrong. it's driving in the car music."
Still fun with good melodic twists and turns
John Oconnor | 07/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A good listen, fun and dark at the same time. Nice singing you can finally hear, drumming superb as usual. Can even hear the bass. Another first. Kind of glad there are less screams, the songs don't require such gimmicery. Way fuller sound that any of their previous. Lyrically disturbing. Must go back to privious records and listen for any clue to current morbidity. Not usually noticed due to cute melody disguise. Makes listening to the Muffs like a game. Jolly good."
This is such a Great CD!
brooch | 01/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard some songs from "The Muffs" in Clueless -movie and I thought that this maybe would be good. And it is! "I Wish That I Could Be You" is great song, and I loved it! Then I knew that I would become a fan of The Muffs. Other great songs are "Prettier Than Me", "In" and "Jack Champagne"... This is great!"