"It's hard for me to nail down exactly what it is about this album that affects me as much as it does. I'd like to talk to all the people who say this is happy, bouncy music and tell them to sit still and listen a little bit 'deeper'. No, I'm definitely not a music snob, I just think that this album has *so* much more to offer than what's found on the surface. First of all, this is the best Promise Ring cd to date by far. Beyond that, it is probably one of the five best albums I've ever heard. There is so much emotion and energy packed onto this disc that it's almost overwhelming. There is not a single throw-away track to be found here, which unfortunately is a rare beast these days. There are, however, some outstanding tracks to be found: "Forget Me" and "Why Did We Ever Meet" being my two favorites.Anyway, I'd love to meet these guys and get a chance to say "thanks" for pouring themselves onto tape and into my head ~ it's music like this that makes music SO great."
Masterpiece
kuranes | Long Island | 04/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i'm tired of hearing this album described as happy, bouncy pop. it's not. this is a beautiful album with magnificent poetic lyrics. if you honestly listen to this album, you will hear a lot of very sad undertones to the music and all sorts of powerful emotions (yearning - raspberry rush, desperation - nothing feels good, memories - forget me). this is my favorite album in my collection."
The Promise Ring's best
Nathan Pierce | Lebanon, IL United States | 04/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think most of the other reviews nailed it, but I just can't help but rave about this record. It's easily Davey and Jason's best. Start to finish this record is amazing. Hook after hook after hook without sounding MTV or mainstream. This CD jumped up into my top 20 of all time after a few listens. The emotion and honesty is there and the poppy, catchy vibe is there as well. A genre shattering release. No doubt in my mind that the Promise Ring hit their highest point with this record. Buy it yesterday."
Why Didn't I Ever listen to The Promise Ring before?
BrodieMan | Rhode Island | 04/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first got this CD from a friend who didn't listen to it anymore. (Now he wants it back... mwahahaha...) I heard of TPR before that, but i only heard one of their songs before. Is This Thing On? got me hooked right away. This album is good to listen to in a mellow mood, and it's so powerful that it WILL put you in a mellow mood. Perfect Lines has a good melody and the drums fit in perfectly with the guitar. Even though Red And Blue Jeans has one line of lyrics, they managed to make it almost 3 minutes and it's very soothing. But, no song on that album can beat Why Did We Ever Meet? It is... just amazing. The song is so catchy, and the guitar riffs remind me somehow of Bad Moon Rising. The CD pulls off great and ends strong with B Is For Bethlehem and Forget Me... two great songs. This CD is just mouth-gaping good. Anyone would like it. I Promise."