Everclear

SONGS FROM AN AMERICAN MOVIE, VOL. TWO: GOOD TIME FOR A BAD ATTITUDE

(Capitol)

This is the sequel to Vol. One: Learning How To Smile, which Everclear put out earlier this year and which originally was going to be an Art Alexakis solo disc before he decided to slap the band name on it, Good Time for a Bad Attitude finds the trio going back to grunge-guitar basics, as had always been the plan. If Vol. One was Alexakis's chance to show his compassionate side in songs that found him branching out to include looped hip-hoppity rhythm tracks and a couple of samples (as well as a full symphony orchestra playing Mort Lindsey charts), then Vol. Two showcases Art's conservative side -- which means keeping the Marshall cranked, the drums hard and heavy, and the embellishments to a minimum. And though Alexakis's mean side is certainly more evil than his nice side is saintly, he's no antichrist superstar. He's just a regular guy who's reflecting on some things he's not terribly proud of and who has an uncommon gift for turning his mixed emotions into some of the finest confessional rock and roll on the market. If his honesty is sometimes a bit too painful ("I want to tell the little people/They can kiss my ass," he jokes on "Rock Star" before moving on to lament life in a fishbowl in "Short Blonde Hair" with lines like "No one really understands/Just how simple and plain and predictable I am"), well, that just comes with the territory.

-- Matt Ashare