Songs From an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile

by Everclear

Overview

If the two-part title weren't enough of a tip-off, let's make this clear: Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile is a concept album, based on Everclear leader Art Alexakis' divorce. Many pop musicians have mined this territory before, but Alexakis pulls off an ingenious move by dividing his divorce album in two parts and two records, separating falling in love from the fallout. Learning How to Smile is the courtship album, painting a picture of when everything was wonderful. He goes back further than that, returning to his childhood, specifically the sparkling, catchy late-'60s and '70s pop that provided the soundtrack to his coming of age. It's all innocent, from the sounds and melodies to the aesthetic; at first, it's hard to tell that this music was made in the wake of a divorce. As the album unfolds, certain themes of regret, sadness, and longing run to the surface, but they're all coated in glittering pop melodies and big rock riffs that mask the emotions of the songs. And, make no mistake, Alexakis is digging deep into his psyche, especially at the end of the record as the romance begins to fall apart. What makes Learning How to Smile work -- and an album this ambitious could easily have collapsed under its own weight -- is that the songs are strong and smart and are given savvy productions that make them sound even smarter. Very few of Everclear's peers could have pulled off an album that skillfully balances such an arty concept with such strong, strikingly revealing songs. Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1 is the band's best, most consistent effort to date -- and certainly whets the appetite for the sequel. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/13/2024
Label:	Intervention Records
UPC:	0680270758155
Rank:	28605

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Everclear   Primary Artist
Lynden David Hall   Primary Artist
Craig Montoya   Vocals (Background),Bass,Mandolin,Percussion
Lars Fox   Loops,Percussion,Co-Producer,Vocals (Background)
Frank Capp   Percussion
Greg Eklund   Drums,Vocals,Percussion,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Greg Adams   Trumpet
Petra Haden   Vocals (Background)
Richard Todd   Horn
Harry Shirinian   Viola
Nick Lane   Trombone
Miran Kojian   Violin
Art Alexakis   Banjo,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Lead Vocals,Guitar (Steel)
Robin Olson   Violin
Carole Mukogawa   Viola
Dennis Karmazyn   Cello
Neal Avron   Co-Producer
Brandon Fields   Saxophone
Raymond Tischer   Viola
Steve Durnin   French Horn
Vage Ayrikyan   Cello
Dan Newfeld   Viola
Jacqueline Suzuki   Violin
Sevan Pogosyan   Cello
Rachel Purkin   Violin
James Hughart   Bass
Bette Byers   Violin
Louise di Tullio   Flute
Razdan Kuyumjian   Violin
Debra Price   Violin
Catherine del Russo   Oboe
Matthew Cooker   Cello
Andrew Stevens   Vocals (Background)
Wade Culbreth   Percussion
Erica Stewart-Giuhan   Vocals (Background)
Sydnne Ebong   Vocals (Background)
Patricia Johnson   Violin
Richard Altenbach   Violin
Armen Garabedian   Violin
Kendall Payne   Vocals (Background)
Bruce Dukov   Violin
Chuck Findley   Trumpet
Jack Nimitz   Horn

Technical Credits

Craig Montoya   Photography,Composer
Lars Fox   Producer,Digital Engineer
Frank Capp   Musician
Carol Washington   Composer
Everclear   Composer
Greg Eklund   Composer
Josh Turner   Engineer
Van Morrison   Composer
Harry Shirinian   Musician
Ralph Williams   Composer
Mathew Cooker   Musician
Art Alexakis   Composer,Producer,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Al Schmidt   Engineer
Carole Mukogawa   Musician
Dennis Karmazyn   Musician
Jim Hughart   Musician
Neal Avron   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Katia Popov   Musician
Raymond Tischer   Musician
Perry Watts-Russell   Executive Producer
Vage Ayrikyan   Musician
Mauricio Iragorri   Engineer
Dan Newfeld   Musician
Jacqueline Suzuki   Musician
Sean Cox   Studio Assistant
Rachel Purkin   Musician
Jo Ann Kane   Musician
Louise di Tullio   Musician
David Bryant   Engineer
William Motzing   Musician
Charlie Paakkari   Engineer
Mort Lindsey   String Arrangements
Jeffery Fey   Coordination,Layout Design
Patricia Johnson   Musician
Richard Altenbach   Musician
Bruce Dukov   Musician
Jack Nimitz   Musician
Joseph Broussard   Composer