Not Their Best Material
I bought this record primarily because of the track "I Got A Girl," and figured that the whole album would be full of "I Got A Girl"s. The album is not what I expected it to be. While there are some good tracks--the aforementioned hit, plus the bracing opener, "Rocketpop," "Piranha," and the pained "Prick," it was a weaker album than what I had expected. I've seen Tripping Daisy perform, and while they are a fine live act, their best record would probably have to be "Bill," which came out on Dragon Street in 1991 or so. This album does, however feature some good guitar work by Wes Breggeren, but one thing that is too much of is Tim DeLaughner emphasizing the Perry Farrell aspect of his vocal style too much.
i'm too good to be all alone
This is one of the first cds I ever got into, it pretty much introduced me to alternative music when I was about 13 (along with They Might Be Giants, Radiohead, and Frank Black; I had an unusual childhood, my college sisters were my main source of growing up alternative). My sister probably bought it for that "I Got A Girl" song, which was good but simple enough to achieve accesibility. Anyway, it was a real good experience listening to this, pretty good for a kid just starting to grow up back then (like Nirvana and Sonic Youth are for alot of young slackers). "High" is a great Sonic Youth meets Phish simple peice of psychadelica that is beauty in its purest...it makes me wanna cry every time I hear it. The rest of the cd is filled with a signature mixture of weird unique vocals over abstract alternative rock jams and avante garde experiments. "Noose", that song that starts out with "Well, i'm on my way...", and "Piranhas" are other favorite tracks. The title and cover art are great, original as well. I'll probably get JESUS HITS soon. Good psychadelic alternative indie rock, up there with Pavement, Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Smashing Pumpkins, Mudhoney, whatever.
weak?? not at all!
ok let's admit it: if it wasn't for "i got a girl" many of us would've never known this band! and this is just one of the reasons why this cd is awesome... after years and years listening to it, you'll even end up skipping that song, believe me! definitely one of the best cds of the 90's
my personal favorites are "piranha", "trip along", "step behind" and "prick", but of course this doesn't mean the rest of the songs are not good enough!
A reminder of the "good old days" of the North Texas scene
Tripping Daisy were one of a handful of bands to come out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and do great things. They could have done so much more, though, with a little more support from the recording industry. Their live shows and albums were absolutely brilliant. "I Am An Elastic Firecracker" was their most successful album and was a perfect midpoint between their debut, "Bill" and their third record "Jesus Hits Like an Atom Bomb." "Firecracker" had polish and pizazz to it...it was certainly more polished and streamlined than the debut, but less experimental than "Jesus." All in all, it was an ideal major label debut. While Tim DeLaughter's voice does emphasize the Perry Farrell influence and the band does at times sound a little bit like old school Jane's Addiction, the Daisy displays its Beatles influence more than anything else, especially on tracks like "Same Dress New Day." Other tracks, such as the heavy "Motivation" and "Prick" rock out with the best of 'em. And the guitar of the late, underrated Wes Berggren gives the tunes plenty of weight. Pick up this album just so you can hear "I Got A Girl" (the big hit) and be amazed by everything else that's here...you won't be disappointed.
Want something that will bring you back to the 90's?
This is definitely one of my favorite albums from the 1990's. If you'd like to take a moment to flash back to the far too vast array of styles which made up the 90's, don't be without this album.
