The Wallflowers' third album isn't so much a breach birth as it is past due. But Jakob Dylan claimed he needed the four years off to come to terms with whether or not he could plumb his own life for material. It appears he... more » can, because here the songwriter tears the veil off his complicated relationship with his famous father and uses it as a vehicle to express some of the same moments of self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy that we all experience, even if we aren't related to Bob Dylan. This newfound candor in the formerly abstruse singer makes for a much more authentic, emotionally affective record, whether he's wearing his neuroses on his sleeve or reinventing old slave spirituals in "Mourning Train." And even if you don't believe that the Dylan paterfamilias ever castigated his son like "Hand Me Down," infers ("Now look at you / With your worn out shoes / Living proof evolution is through"), it makes for compelling listening, made even more persuasive by the Wallflowers' sparse, muscular playing, which evokes the specter of those titans of classic rock: Jackson Browne, the Eagles, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. --Jaan Uhelszki« less
The Wallflowers' third album isn't so much a breach birth as it is past due. But Jakob Dylan claimed he needed the four years off to come to terms with whether or not he could plumb his own life for material. It appears he can, because here the songwriter tears the veil off his complicated relationship with his famous father and uses it as a vehicle to express some of the same moments of self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy that we all experience, even if we aren't related to Bob Dylan. This newfound candor in the formerly abstruse singer makes for a much more authentic, emotionally affective record, whether he's wearing his neuroses on his sleeve or reinventing old slave spirituals in "Mourning Train." And even if you don't believe that the Dylan paterfamilias ever castigated his son like "Hand Me Down," infers ("Now look at you / With your worn out shoes / Living proof evolution is through"), it makes for compelling listening, made even more persuasive by the Wallflowers' sparse, muscular playing, which evokes the specter of those titans of classic rock: Jackson Browne, the Eagles, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. --Jaan Uhelszki
"In a soulful and tragic sound, The Wallflowers release an album that is a triumph of introspective and self-aware understanding. The melody of this album matches up perfectly with the lyrics to express a truly personal event that we are all invited to come and take an active part in witnessing. To sum all of that up: Damn, Jakob Dylan can write a song.Even though it was a four-year wait from their last work of excellence, the wait was worth it. This album is different, a little more in tune with inner feelings and expressing doubts and concerns, but still excellent. An excellent blend of up and down, fast and slow. It's an exceedingly extraordinary album that combines pop rock, folk rock, and the blues. I've already played it to death in the month that I've owned it. I think you will, too. Quality is worth returning to and repeating.On one final note, this edition of The Wallflower's "(Breach)" comes with a special bonus CD, featuring a live recording of "Invisible City" and the first release from the new album, "Sleepwalker." You might as well go ahead and get this edition: similar price and a bonus CD."
Stellar return for the Wallflowers
Ultraman | 10/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'd heard many comments and reviews that sid Breach was a highly personal collection of songs (long overdue). BEing highly critical of most reviews, I picked up the new CD (with a second, bonus disc, much to my surprise) with an excited but cautious attitude. Having listened to it, I find myself in the unusual position of actually agreeing with critics. 'Breach' is a highly introspective piece of rock/pop. Jakob Dylan overtly plumbs, for the first time, his life experiences to pen most of these songs. The straight ahead songs of Bringing Down the Horse are mostly absent from this set (though does anyone really know what 'One Headlight' was about), the first single 'Sleepwalker' not withstanding. The tone is low-key and relaxed, for the most part, though 'Murder 101' does pick up the pace towards the end, with its quick burst of energy. The most intircate song on the disc is probably 'Some Flowers Bloom Dead' and it's pervasive central metaphor. This song is destined to be a classic, though it may never be a hit. The current dominance of pop and rap-rock over the music industry will probably limit the commercial success of this album, but to true fans of rock and roll, this will solidify the place of the Wallflowers in the anals of rock, and only hints at the beauty of what's to come."
If only he wasn't so sad...
N. Adler | Somewhere | 10/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jakob Dylan's writing talent is extremely evident on this CD, and is used incredibly well- accompanied by wonderful tunes and melodies. The Wallflowers as a whole are an astonishingly wonderful band, and when I think of them I never think of Jakob's dad because he's NOT his dad and he's very original in many ways, and so are the Wallflowers. This CD is one not to be forgotten- it's the first Wallflowers CD with the band's faces on the cover. But that's not really important, it's the music that makes this recording so astonishing. Dylan's sudden slump of depression is surprising. I was let down to hear there were no happy songs like on Bringing Down the Horse. (Like "Angel on My Bike" and "God Don't Make Lonely Girls.") However this CD has it's own form of optimism, and that's what makes it so original. Although the lyrics don't seem to show it, the music suggests that there is a bit of hope out there. (Like in "I've Been Delievered"..."So turn on your lights/'Cause I'm coming home/I've been delivered for the first time.")I am glad to hear new Wallflowers material. I've been waiting since "Heroes" for some sign of activity from the band, and I'm glad to finally own "Breach.""
Not bad
Nick | Louisville, KY United States | 12/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"its a shame this album isnt doing too well and it probably will be considered a perfect example of a sophomore slump. sleep walker went nowhere, and the album has dropped off the top 100 in about only 7 weeks. this album does have some strong points. a main issue from the wallflowers is to create something thats not bland. on some of their cd's they fail to make anything different and it all sounds the same. with this one, they have some variety, but its alot like the other one. just great pop/rock music. i dont see a bright future for them, and thats a shame. the wallflowers are a great band, and you should probably check this album out."