The 90’s were a great time for music. Not only were there great bands and great music, but this was when there were more rock radio stations. So the band up for review is The Presidents of the United States of America. I didn’t really listen to them much after the first album and honestly I’m not sure why. So let’s take a look……….
The Presidents of the United States of America- this album was the very first album I had bought with my allowance back in 1995. I remember hearing the song Lump and Peaches on 96.7 The Bus back in the day. I also remember at the time when I went to buy it, I had to choose between this and Green Day’s Insomniac and I chose this. Anyway the album itself is a fun album to listen to and listening to it again definitely takes me back. I give it 10/10
Standouts: Kick Out the Jams, Dune Buggy, Kitty
II- I think I had only heard like maybe one or two songs off of this one. Going back now I don’t think it’s quite as strong as the last one. I guess there were songs that were meant for the first album but were re-recorded for this album. Not a bad album just not as good as the self titled record. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Toob Amplifier, Mach 5, Bug City
Freaked Out and Small- I guess they broke up for a short time then they briefly reformed and made this album. I guess sometimes it’s good for bands to take small breaks because this is a pretty good album. The songs here don’t feel like b-sides from the previous album. I guess the last two albums were made with instruments called guitbas and basitar which are modified guitars and basses. For this album they recorded with just normal guitars and bass. Overall, a pretty solid album. I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Death Star, Nuthin But Love, Jazz Guy
Love Everybody- so I guess after the last album they broke up again and reformed to make this album. The guitbas and basitar are back on this album and this album feels a little more cohesive than the last album and I enjoyed this one better than the previous album. It has elements of the first album and the previous album. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Love Everybody, Shortwave, Highway Forever
These are the Good Times People- I think this is first time where they didn’t break up, reform, and make an album. This album I feel isn’t quite as strong as the last one. I don’t know something seems missing. I know that original guitbas player Dave Dederer does not play on this album so perhaps that was the reason. I don’t know this album to me is nothing special. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Bad Times, Ghosts Are Everywhere, Warhead
Kudos To You!- most of the songs on here are re-recordings from lead singer Chris Ballew’s various projects. Supposedly the last album was to be their final album but more music was written so this is the album we got. I mean it sounds like a Presidents album but not like the first one. It’s not bad for a final album but it’s just ok. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Flea vs Mite, She’s a Nurse, Crappy Ghost
This was a band that I had forgotten about and it was fun going back and listening to albums that I hadn’t heard in a very long time or ever. It’s too bad they aren’t together and not playing live because their shows would probably be a lot of fun.
Album Rankings:
1. The Presidents of the United States of America
2. Love Everybody
3. Freaked Out and Small
4. These Are The Good Times People
5. Kudos To You!
6. II
Sinister Reviews 