I'm Mad - The Presidents of the United States of America, Dederer, Dave
Headin' Out
When the Presidents of the United States of America disbanded in January 1998, it seemed like a logical move. After songs about peaches, fussy kittens, and Speed Racer, what can a band do? Frontman Chris Ballew bashed out ... more »more pop under the tag of an imaginary band of stuffed animals, the Giraffes, but it never caught on. Now the newly reformed Presidents are back for a new term on Freaked Out and Small, and the state of the union is excellent indeed. While the band's studio swansong, II, was a lackluster offer, Freaked Out is a punchy, assured collection of tongue-in-cheek rock songs. The opening one-two punch of "Tiny Explosions" and "Nuthin But Luv" sets the hyper tone, leading into whacked-out, sugar-coated salutes to the planet Jupiter, jazz musicians, broken hearts, Star Wars, and ticking human time bombs. A laugh-out-loud, toe-tapping winner. --Jason Josephes« less
When the Presidents of the United States of America disbanded in January 1998, it seemed like a logical move. After songs about peaches, fussy kittens, and Speed Racer, what can a band do? Frontman Chris Ballew bashed out more pop under the tag of an imaginary band of stuffed animals, the Giraffes, but it never caught on. Now the newly reformed Presidents are back for a new term on Freaked Out and Small, and the state of the union is excellent indeed. While the band's studio swansong, II, was a lackluster offer, Freaked Out is a punchy, assured collection of tongue-in-cheek rock songs. The opening one-two punch of "Tiny Explosions" and "Nuthin But Luv" sets the hyper tone, leading into whacked-out, sugar-coated salutes to the planet Jupiter, jazz musicians, broken hearts, Star Wars, and ticking human time bombs. A laugh-out-loud, toe-tapping winner. --Jason Josephes
"Freaked out and small is PUSA's best record to date. Any old fans of the band should buy this record. They haven't lost a step in there three year abscence"
No impeachment for these Presidents!
Eric P. Rodawig | South Dakota | 01/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Instead of having lofty social goals like REM or U2, the Presidents just want everyone to have fun, and their music shows it!In my opinion, they are the best band of the 90's. They have great rock songs, and they're alternative enough to be different while not alienating anyone by being too weird.This CD, their best one, has a lot more peppy rock songs then the others, and it's hard to listen to it without the volume all the way up. They have some good slow songs, too, like Tiger Bomb, which is perhaps their second best song (under Peaches, of course)Even if you haven't heard of the band, this is a fantastic CD, and one that anyone looking for some feel-good, high energy rock will absolutely love."
THEEEEEEY ARE BACK!
Eric P. Rodawig | 09/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"all i can say is yes yes yes and yes. i was so sad when i heard those guys were breaking up...and now there back...and they didnt miss one beat getting here...the album has the same style as the others...the style we love...so if you liked lump...if you sang (to your own morale's decline) we're not gonna make it...ORDER THIS CD NOW! we're not gonna make it...LOL...these guys are back and better than ever...and if you havent heard them...buy this one and all the others.Mahallo"
Why Wasn't This on The Radio?!?
Richard C. Mente | Detroit, MI USA | 07/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What Happened!?! I had just gotten into playing Naked and Famious on my radio show and I looked up the band on VH1.com...There were two albums I had never heard of! Pure Frosting and Freaked Out and Small! Well I had to have both of them! I immediatly began playing Tiny Explosions and Nuthin' but Luv and thye were requested like mad! Everyone loved this album, the local music store couldn't keep up with the demand (this was at a small college in the middle of no where).
Nevertheless, this album rocks. The First two tracks are great to jump around to and drive to, tiger bomb will calm you down, but you'll still keep groovin'. Last Girl on Earth is what all guys go through after a breakup. Jazz Guy is simply about a jazz guy in the 20's-50's. Meanwhile... is an anti-urban rocker which gets it point accross nearly as well as any enviro-rocker such as Midnight Oil (another great band), or U2. Jupiter will keep your foot tapping, and won't let you down. Superstar is another good driving tune. Death Star is merely amusing (and yes it does sound like Kermit The Frog). Blank Baby rocks out how difficult it is to comeout with new materiel. I'm Mad is the American Driving Anthem. The Finale Heading Out is a good closing song and does a good job winding up the album.
I'm looking forward to the next time PUSA gets together (fingers crossed) and putes out some new materiel.
If you're looking for a good rock album, this will not let you down, it's a great escape from the current pop scene and a return to rock. This is a must have for any rock fan."
I love these guys
corpuient | Albany, NY United States | 07/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The presidents have yet to fail me. I absolutely love everything they make, it's just pure rock gold. Some people don't like em because they don't play 28 string guitaurs and 11 string bases, but you know what, I don't care. this album absolutely rocks from start to finish. Starting with "Tiny Explosions" you know what comes next is going to be absolutely amazing. I can't say enough about these guys and their bizarre brand of rock and wild lyrics. I will always be a Presidents fan as long as they keep putting out amazing stuff like this."