Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile
by Everclear
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jul 11, 2000
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9

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  1. Joshua
    Sep 25, 2003
    0
    What happened to Everclear? You expected so much more out of them after their first two major releases, and what you get is something my parents wouldn't even listen to. When Art Alexakis wrote happier songs for So Much For the Afterglow, at least they were good. This album, along with the two after it they've released thus far, is a collection of songs that try too hard to be What happened to Everclear? You expected so much more out of them after their first two major releases, and what you get is something my parents wouldn't even listen to. When Art Alexakis wrote happier songs for So Much For the Afterglow, at least they were good. This album, along with the two after it they've released thus far, is a collection of songs that try too hard to be heartfelt. If they won't make another good album, I guess we'll all just have to stick with Sparkle and Fade. Ah, well.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2000
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 4 out of 16
  1. Billboard
    70
    Everclear's first collection since 1997's "So Much For The Afterglow" is an unabashed love letter to the '70s, when AM radio still ruled and pop music was simple, good fun.
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  2. Salon
    20
    It wants a hit so bad -- wants to be so many things to so many people -- that you can feel the songs audibly buckling from all the promises it doles out.
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  3. MTV.com
    20
    The punky edge to the band has been all but jettisoned, in favor of slick production, orchestral backdrops, and cloying melodies that render even the occasionally dark lyrics (mostly about divorce this time) surprisingly limp.
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