Search - X :: See How We Are

X grows up, with remarkable results

Johnny Roulette | 01/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Doe is an excellent songwriter who deserved to be free to leave the confines of punk rock. Demanding that X stay restricted to only punk is like restricting Rembrandt to coloring books. I'm Lost & You are great songs that get this album started off right. Exene & John were in their prime, as far as harmony. 4th Of July is a Dave Alvin song that has never been done better than it is on See How We Are. The title track is a devastatingly beautiful song that shows just how much X had grown up. When It Rains...is another depressing standout, though it might be a little too slick for X fans from the early days. John Doe was too eloquent and intelligent to be limited to 2 minute screamers, so typical of the punk scene. There are a couple of duds on this cd, but nothing to worry about. With the possible exception of Unclogged, you could stop your X collection after See How We Are. This album brought me back to a band I had somehow forgotten. It's true that Billy Zoom was not on this release, but Dave Alvin(The Blasters) & Tony Gilkyson were better equipped to play this kind of music anyway. See How We Are is a great addition to any collection. It belongs up there with Under The Big Black Sun as X's best."

One of my all-time favorites!!!

10/17/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alot of X fans gave this album the brush off because of its radio friendly sound, and the absence of Billy Zoom, but this is truly great Rock 'n Roll. From the first notes to the last it shook my walls. The guitar sound is more open, than Zoom's relentless barre chords and is somewhat remeniscent of Johnny Marr. Beautiful! Doe and Cervenka's voices blend chillingly, plus, they actually sing! The title track alone is worth the price. Fourth of July is a great Dave Alvin(The Blasters) song, and there are many more outstanding cuts, but my favorite is The Time it Takes. This raucous nugget could easily fit on Los Angeles or Wild Gift. I docked it one star because of the producer's decision to "modernize" it with a little Synthesiser. The results aren't bad but the synth is completely unnecessary. That being said this is an overlooked gem. Try it, and see..."