Alex A. from OAK FOREST, IL Reviewed on 5/9/2007...
i love this cd
CD Reviews
Early versions of Smashmouth classics!
04/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The guy reviewing this that said re-used? Wrong. These were recorded BEFORE FYM. :) Smashmouth deserves much better reviews on their early studio work, and the 're-using' on FYM (not on this one!), was just rerecorded for better studio-quality sound on a widely-released album. This cd is dated after FYM because it's stuff that wasn't really gonna be released, but they thought fans would like to hear early versions of their FYM favorites. It's really disappointing to see that a few people didn't get it."
A Good CD, But Even Better Without "Sorry"
Nick G. "Islander44" | N. Bellmore, NY USA | 02/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I first saw the songs on this CD, I was a little worried. I thought that maybe Smash Mouth was running out of gas or something, because there weren't any recognizeable new songs (There are, however, a few songs from Fush and a different version of one of the Astro Lounge songs. When I first listened to the CD, I was pleasantly surprised. There are a lot of good songs here, like Burn Cycle, Strung, I Had You (Not Listed as a track on the CD), and Solitude. However, for me, the 2 definite stand-outs on this CD are "Every Word" and "If You Don't". I think "Every Word" is a great, sentimental (Yes, I said sentimental) song. Furthermore, I would strongly advise Smash Mouth to release a single of "If You Don't". I own all 3 Smash Mouth CD's, and I honestly think that "If You Don't" is just as good as "All Star" or "Walking on the Sun". Just to reiterate, Smash Mouth would be well-advised to release that song as a single. It's that good. Despite all the praise I have for this CD, I have one big gripe with it, and I can sum it up in one word: "Sorry". I think this song is rude and vulgar. They should be "Sorry" they had to put this song on this CD. In fact, that song alone cost it a star. In review, great CD, lose "Sorry""
East Bay Sessions
Greg | Simsbury, CT USA | 04/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD rocks...literally! Smash Mouth is awesome, so what if they used songs from before? They are different versions and work out great. Come On Come On is the best song on this CD!"
An Interesting Look At a Great Band's Roots
A. Loewer | Washington, DC, USA | 04/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This little known album releases many early recordings of some of the songs that would eventually make it on Fush Yu Mang, and a bunch that didn't. If you're a fan of Fush Yu Mang, you'll like this album. This is a much more raw and unrefined Smash Mouth - they're a real punk band, not the bubble gum pop they're producing these days. I saw them in concert right after Astro Lounge hit shelves, and honestly I wish they had played like they sound on this record... its an album of energetic, catchy punkish songs. And about all of the other reviews here condemning "Sorry", its actually quite a poigniant social commentary... if you can get past the fact they use the word "penis". And if you can't, you shouldn't be buying a parental advisory album.
If you can't get enough of Fush Yu Mang, buy this album, but be aware, you'll hear some familiar songs in their earlier stages. Personally, I can't stand the new post Astro Lounge Smash Mouth, so this is a great last taste of the band that was."
The Band's Roots
L. Irvin | Raleigh, NC United States | 06/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hey - I've been a big fan of the band since Fush Yu Mang. The East Bay Sessions is a good look into the bands original sound and the talent that got them where they are today. Yeah, there is a couple of songs on there from Fush, and yeah Sorry does have some explicit lyrics, but the music is still hard core Smash Mouth and is still worth every penny paid for the album. (And that is VERY rare now days)If you are a fan of Smash Mouth and if you wondering about their "pre-platinum" sound, the this is the album for you. It rocks. Smash Mouth rocks..."