"The Pleasure EP by Semisonic is a fascinating look at one of the current music scene's best bands in its formative stages. Only seven of the fourteen tracks are actual songs, the other seven being bits and pieces of conversation and noise, but the music that is there is quite good. The first two songs, "The Prize" and "Brand New Baby", sound a little weak compared to their professionally produced versions on Semisonic's debut album "Great Divide", but the others are extremely well done and sound surprisingly clean for demos. Standouts are the energetic "Sculpture Garden" and the Munson-sung "Star"."
A Great Beggining
MR. ANDI STEVENSON | Northants, United Kingdom | 06/28/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD charts the great beggining to the band that went on to become SEMISONIC. The CD has a top selection of tracks that will please both the fans who like the mellow soul full sound of semisonic and the others that prefer the rockery side to the band. This CD is on a different level to their work after this was released. However if you like "Feeling Strangly Fine" and "The Great Divide" then you are sure to enjoy this !"
Good CD!
airwalk182 | Milwaukee, WI | 06/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The songs I've listened to on this CD so far have been really good! I, personally, think that Star is a great song having lyrics like "I wandered in the moonlight, A ghost without a friend" and other lyrics that seem to greatly stick out to me. Although I've always been a big Semisonic fan, I really suggest this CD! It's a good one!"
So gooood...
Dave | MA | 09/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always liked Pleasure better than Feeling Strangely Fine or All About Chemistry. It manages to capture a little of the indie feeling without losing developed sound production, and fans of melodic indie will really like this. Above all, the songwriting is just great. The first six tracks are all terrific, but my favorites would have to be Wishing Well, Star, and above all Sculpture Garden. The guitar work is fantastic, and the chords are creative and thoughtful without being painful. Buy this, and while you're at it go buy Great Divide too."
Best of group (IMHO)
Dave | 04/21/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Fans who hope for depth, variety, and intensity will be rewarded. This CD most clearly captures the feel of Trip Shakespeare, the earlier group featuring some members of Semisonic. The songs are well-crafted, engaging, and INTERESTING. From what I've heard, their following albums are far more predictable and dull--where the "singles" are completely formulaic, shallow bits of pap, and the intervening tracks repetative musically and uninspired lyrically. Almost every song on this album is direct, engaging, and musically challenging. You will remember each distinctly after the album, whic is rare these days."