Everclear: Art Alexakis’ main meal ticket since 1992. Until now mostly remembered for four or five ‘90s songs that have begun gracefully transitioning onto classic rock radio, we’re here to deep dive into the whole of the band’s “much more extensive than you probably realized” catalog. That’s right, the day has finally come! Here’s our definitive ranking of every Everclear album.
9. Welcome To the Drama Club (2006)
There’s an age-old axiom that says something in the way of “if your whole band decides to quit all at once after your last record, maybe it’s time to hit the pause button on this project for a while, Art.” Everclear’s “Welcome to the Drama Club” is a prime example of not following that advice. Though the effort put forth by Alexakis and whoever all the new guys are is apparent, the album as a whole just doesn’t feel substantial, and it’s fair for all but the most ardent of Everclear fans to give it a miss.
Play it again: Does it even matter? Were you really gonna go back to listen to any of this?
Skip it: See above*
8. Invisible Stars (2012)
If we were to ask Neil deGrasse Tyson about “Invisible Stars,” he’d probably tell us some bullshit about how “stars are inherently not visible as they have in fact burned out many millennia before now and what we perceive to be stars are merely refracted light beams from long dead celestial entities.” And then we’d say “no, Neil. We mean the Everclear album ‘Invisible Stars.’” To which he would probably respond with something like “…meh …no thanks.”
Play it again: “Be Careful What You Ask For”
Skip it: The rest of it.
7. Black Is the New Black (2015)
In a way, it’s heartening to see a band that entered its greatest hits era decades ago still pumping out some fresh songs every now and again. Heartening – not particularly interesting or good by nearly any standard – but heartening. That’s what “Black Is the New Black” is. Heartening.
Play it again: “American Monster”
Skip it: “You”
6. Slow Motion Daydream (2003)
“Slow Motion Daydream” came about in that weird period of swelling nostalgia for the suburbs that was the early 2000s. It’s also when the band was at their (inarguably) most creatively exhausted and in desperate need of some time to refresh (see “Welcome To the Drama Club” above to recall how that turned out). But even at their absolute end, this last record from the classic Everclear lineup does have a few high points that are worth revisiting.
Play it again: “Science Fiction”
Skip it: “A Beautiful Life”
5. Songs from an American Movie Vol. Two: Good Time For a Bad Attitude (2000)
Alright, we’re just gonna say this: that “Rock Star” movie with Mark Wahlberg in it ruined that fucking song. Like, the song wasn’t phenomenal otherwise, but that movie absolutely wrecked it. We suppose we should be thankful that it was that song and not one of the multiple much better songs on this record that Marky Mark decided to rear-end, but still, fuck that movie.
Anyways, this record is actually quite fine. If you’re already a fan, you’ll enjoy what you hear. Just for the love of fuck do not go watch that movie.
Play it again: “Out of My Depth”
Skip it: “Rock Star.” Sorry, you’re just never gonna be able to not think about it now.
4. So Much For the Afterglow (1997)
“So Much For the Afterglow” is an altogether good album. It executes the band’s familiar sound well and includes a couple of the band’s biggest hits. However, it suffers from a condition that we in the music business call “same old shit but, like, just a bit worse -itis.” This is a common affliction for band’s attempting to capitalize on their previous success (most likely because they didn’t realize just how quickly mortgage payments can stack up). Still, this record does what it does well enough that it is worth many re-listens for anyone willing to lower their standards slightly.
Play it again: “Amphetamine”
Skip it: “El Distorto de Melodica”
3. World of Noise (1993)
The phrase “criminally underrated” actually doesn’t get thrown around enough these days. But if it were to be applicable anywhere it’s definitely Everclear’s debut album “World of Noise.” Though it has remained largely unknown to the general public, even after the band’s later success, almost no other record better embodies society’s three-month-long interest in cowpunk (and what the hell was up with that era?). But mainly this album shows off a band with tremendous potential to write some really good rock songs in their career.
Play it again: “Loser Makes Good”
Skip it: “Invisible”
2. Songs from an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How To Smile (2000)
The first installment in Alexakis’ “find yourself” phase was a well-executed reinvention of Everclear’s previously established sound. After years of perfecting the vaguely-punk alterna-cow branch of the grunge movement, the band came back with this series of pop-infused songs that manage to be equal parts “laid back melodies” and “punishingly depressing lyrics.” “Songs from an American Movie Vol. One” is songwriting at its finest, and an excellent example of how to ward off creative stagnation after your band has been around for the better part of a decade.
Play it again: “Otis Redding”
Skip it: “Brown Eyed Girl.” It’s really not a bad cover but it also just doesn’t need to be there.
1. Sparkle and Fade (1995)
Here we have the sweet spot that a lot of band’s from this time found themselves in. Not yet famous but hungry and capable, and riding the crest of the alternative rock wave that was flooding the mainstream. Everclear brought it all together on this one, combining their cowpunk roots (and again, what the hell was up with that era?) with developed songwriting and catchy rock riffs that produced some of the band’s most insightful songs to date. And yes, this is the record with “Santa Monica” on it, so if you’re a fairweather Everclear fan who needs no other reason why this should be in the number one spot, there you go.
Play it again: “Heroin Girl”
Skip it: “My Sexual Life”