Search - Bodeans :: Outside Looking in

Midwestern Rock Never Sounded Finer

Michael Lima | Fresno, California USA | 07/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The BoDeans have frequently touted themselves as a Midwestern American band. The image that comes to mind when hearing that title is a band that captures the wide-open prairie feel of the Midwest in their music. None of the BoDeans' albums have done a better job of capturing this image than Outside Looking In, which is easily the high-water mark of the BoDeans' recording career.Much of the credit for this album's success has to go to the producer, Jerry Harrison (a member of the Talking Heads). His judicious use of echo, powerful drumming, and acoustic guitar give the album the sense of "wide open spaces" that is implied in the BoDeans' roots. The band members augment this production with some of their best songwriting ever. "Only Love", "Dreams", "What It Feels Like", and "I'm In Trouble Again" are wonderfully poignant songs about heartache and hope. The mix of production and songwriting work perfectly together to invoke a strong emotional response from the listener. It's entirely fitting that the album opens with a song whose chorus is "Ain't this what dreams are made of." Bands don't usually make such a bold statement about their recordings. Fortunately, it is backed up by the Bodeans' performance. Consequently, not only is Outside Looking In the realization of the dream of a great American Rock and Roll album, it is also the realization of the dreams that BoDeans fans had for the band's potential."

BoDeans best

WNC John | western North Carolina | 11/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion, words just don't do this album justice, it is that good. The stories in the lyrics, the incredible hooks, the passion in the vocals, the consistancy of quality in each song, all make this not only the best BoDeans album, but also one of the best all time rock albums, period. I could critique each song, but my acolades would make this review ridiculously long. Part of the power of this album is that each song is excelent in its own right, there isn't a weak song in the bunch, and each time I listen to the entire album I come away thinking that a different song is the best one on the album. If you like the BoDeans, this one is a must. If you know of the BoDeans, but aren't a big fan, this one is a must. If you have never heard of the BoDeans, this one is a must.



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Best bodeans

D. Goodwin | memphis, tn | 02/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i first had this as a bodeans cassette when i was in college...i have had the cd for a long time and still listen to it..is just as great today as it was almost 20 years ago...i think it is their best, and i have listened to HOME and LOVE, HOPE, SEX, and DREAMS, and JOE DIRT CAR...this cd is special to me because it reminds me of a boy friend who died of a brain tumor four years ago..he liked this cd too..a must listen!"