Deluxe | 
| Artist: Better Than Ezra
Label: Elektra / Ada
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $16.97 (100%)
New (26) Used (328) Collectible (10) from $0.01
Rating:  56 reviews
Sales Rank: 51095
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 61784
UPC: 075596178426
EAN: 0075596178426
ASIN: B000005IT2
Release Date: February 28, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Tracks:
| • | In the Blood | | • | Good | | • | Southern Guerl | | • | Killer Inside | | • | Rosealia | | • | Cry in the Sun | | • | Teenager | | • | Summerhouse | | • | Porcelain | | • | Heaven | | • | This Time of Year | | • | Coyote |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Like a Jayhawks without the Los Angeles glitz, Louisiana's Better Than Ezra plays soulful country rock that's artful but bare of artifice. Regrouping after an independent debut and the death of its rhythm guitarist, the trio originally released the engaging Deluxe on its own, but it has since been picked up by Elektra. The band gets extra points for "The Killer Inside," a tune that quotes crime noir novelist Jim Thompson. --Jim DeRogatis
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 51 more reviews...
 Better Is Ezra May 11, 2005
Renee Gambrel (delran, nj United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I enjoyed this album when it was released in '95. Now that the band has resurfaced onto the music scene, I find myself listening to this classic album all the time. This album has a mix of a southern tone, and modern rock. Uncomparable to artists of it's day, but artists of today have been influenced by Better Than Ezra's unique sound. If you pick up any albums from this band, this should be your first stop.
How good are they? Well, they're Better Than Ezra..... August 4, 2004
Will Culp (Greenville, South Carolina)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Deluxe(1995). Better Than Ezra's First LP Album.
Around 1995, when bands like Green Day and Hootie & The Blowfish were enjoying Multi-Platinum success, Better Than Ezra combined the two bands, adding influences of Rock, Punk, and Roots/Country/Blues and released 'Deluxe'. As said before, Better Than Ezra sounds like a cross between Hootie & The Blowfish and Green Day, or maybe a softer version of modern rockers 3 Doors Down. Upon its release, 'Deluxe' garnered good critical and commercial success, and even spawned the popular song 'Good', which easily gave 'Deluxe' over a 1,000,000 copies sold in its first year. After reading a favorable review of 'How Does Your Garden Grow?' by the wickerman, and I saw the CD at a Library, I decided to give the album a chance. So, was I pleasantly surprised, or officially disgusted? Read on to find out!
Track Ratings-
In The Blood- "In The Blood" features a southern tinged acoustic riff along with touching vocals from Joel Rundell to create a jazzy Southern Rocker. An excellent, catchy song that will catch your attention and hold it!
Good- "Good" deservedly became a big hit! It starts off much like Green Day's "When I Come Around", accentuating the bass along with a catchy, punky riff that perfectly complements Rundell's slightly bluesy vocals to make a catchy, poppy rocker that flat out rules. "Good" guitarwork!
Southern Gurl- "Southern Gurl" is an excellent ballad, starting off with a subtle electric riff, yet Rundell's brooding vocals steal the show here! The slight use of a violin works very well here, as does the chorus. Who doesn't "need a southern girl"?
The Killer Inside- "The Killer Inside" deftly blends a smooth Country tinged guitar riff with slight touches of a violin, not to mention Rundell's harmonic vocals, which makes an excellent ballad even better!
Rosealia- "Rosealia" is an upbeat Southern and Punky rocker, going from an Alternative Rocker to a slow Country ballad during the chorus. Insanely catchy bassline and vocals! Excellent song, that should have seriously been a hit!
Cry In The Sun- "Cry In The Sun" is a soulful Country/Folk influenced rocker, using a subtle organ behind Rundell's melodic vocals to create a catchy ballad that won't fail to please!
Teenager- "Teenager" is a Bass Heavy rocker, an almost sarcastic look at the havoc teenagers cast on their families. Rundell's upbeat vocals and an interesting bass beat make this Southern tinged rocker excellent!
(Untitled)- Filler track with a slow bluesy guitar solo behind echoy vocals. Not bad for filler.
Summerhouse- "Summerhouse" would make Green Day proud! A pulsing bassline along with a Punky guitar riff makes Rundell's seemingly joking vocals sound perfectly normal! A Catchy, Excellent Alternative Rocker!
Porcelain- "Porcelain" reminds me of a Bob Dylan hit, as "Porcelain" uses a Folk influence acoustic guitar behind Rundell's pronounced, brooding vocals to create a slow, but great ballad.
Heaven- "Heaven" is a heartbroken, questioning ballad, wondering if you can really get into heaven. A slight electric guitar riff lays off and lets Rundell steal the show here with his symphonic vocals. A good ballad, featuring good guitarwork.
This Time of Year- "This Time of Year" is easily the weakest track here, as it sounds too similar too the other songs, using a Folky acoustic riff behind Rundell's melodic vocals to create a decent, yet redundant ballad.
Coyote- "Coyote" is a good Blues Rock song, using a bluesy, almost jazzy beat, putting the main focus on Rundell's almost yodeling vocals, which surprisingly work!(P.S.- The hidden ending completely RULES!)
Overall, 'Deluxe' gives me nothing to complain about, as all the songs here a catchy, Southern influenced rockers that won't fail to please! I'm surprised Better Than Ezra didn't become superstars, as all of these songs could EASILY have been hits! It's a pity! Anyways, if you want good, catchy, Alternative Rock with Southern Rock/Blues/Punk Influences, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Better Than Ezra!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF ALTERNATIVE ROCK, SOUTHERN ROCK,
BLUES ROCK, PUNK, AND BETTER THAN EZRA. CHECK BETTER THAN EZRA OUT, I THINK YOU'LL BE IMPRESSED IN ALL LIKELIHOOD!
Killer Kuts- "Good" and "Rosealia".
Also Recommended-
Dookie- Green Day
Cracked Rear View- Hootie & The Blowfish
Friction, Baby- Better Than Ezra
Thanks For Reading!
 Great countryish rock that feels like the West October 20, 2005
Mike Smith (Albuquerque, NM)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is one of those albums that haunted my CD player all through high school and that still refuses to go away. The sound is mellow though energetic, and the lyrics are interesting and worth thinking about.
The song "Good" was a well-justified high-energy/feel-good radio hit back in the day, "The Killer Inside" features well-articulated and clear electric guitar that feels acoustic and a sort of a Spaghetti Western feel, "Rosealia" and especially "Coyote" feel like perfect songs to play on long drives through the American West, and the whole album feels like a well-assembled time capsule of the best of 1990s alternative music.
I've listened to it since 1993, and will almost certainly continue to. It's good stuff.
Absolute perfection! February 18, 2005
Tony Mitchell (Naperville, IL USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Okay. They are a one-hit wonder in most people's eyes, at least anyone who only knows them by name. However, if you own this CD, you know why i disagree.
Good was an awesome song, the foundation of their success, but Rosealia is another awesome song. A true opportunity for a #1 on the billboard charts, but it was never given a chance. Coyote also rocked, and the hidden ending is quite the rocker in itself (Sorry to spoil the 'surprise' for any of you who dont know)...You cant help but love Better than Ezra after listening to this CD. It made me go outa and buy their other two albums which also rocked!
*****/*****
The best CD I own July 4, 2001
Branded (Anderson, SC USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have had this CD since it came out in 1994 -- in fact, I have had three of them. Every song on the disc is a winner. Griffin's vocals are outstanding and highlight the truly magically songwriting ability of the entire band. There is a song for every mood, and it is a perfect match for any emotion you may be feeling. I listen to this CD at least once a week, and have been doing so for the past six years -- and I will never grow tired of hearing its songs. Summer Gurl is perfect for driving, This Time of Year is perfect for relaxation and reflection, Teenager is a great rock song with lyrical credibility, and In the Blood shows the dynamics of the band well. This is a must for any CD collection -- even if it is the only one. Also, check them out live if they are in your area. I PROMISE you will not regret it -- AMAZING live show.
|
|
|
