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Blues Traveler - Bastardos! Audio CD

A fair review of the Blues Traveler "Bastardos!" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Blues Traveler reviews here, or go back to the Blues Traveler tabs.

Blues Traveler Band: Blues Traveler
Title: Bastardos!
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-09-13
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: You Can't Stop Thinking About Me 2: Amber Awaits 3: After What 4: Money Back Guarantee 5: Can't Win True Love 6: Nail 7: Leaning In 8: She and I 9: Rubberneck 10: Nefertiti 11: What Could Possibly Go Wrong 12: That Which Doesn't Kill You 13: She Isn't Mine 14: Children of the Night

One of the top 4 Blues Traveler studio albums
I quickly bought all their previous studio releases and have bought all subsequent studio releases. I became a Blues Traveler fan when Four was released. I also have the Run-Around EP and the live "Live From The Fall" album.

For me the four best Blues Traveler studio albums are:
- Travelers and Thieves
- Four
- Bridge
- Bastardos

I am only giving this a 3 because I reserve a 5 for superb albums, very few albums achieve that distinction. This album could possbibly be a 4 and I am wavering between a rating of 3 or 4. So I will go for a 3. 5 rating for this album.

Regards,
Ralph.


'Bastardized' is more like it!
Their first 2 CD's have never left my regular rotation since they came out over 15 years ago. Like most reviewers on this page I am a tremendous fan of BT. But that doesn't give them a free pass to a good review.
This work is simply awful! And it pains me to say that. But what is more painful is to hear other reviewers say that Bastardos may be BT's best work yet.
Are you serious? Or are you just trying to get your review more attention by blatant hyperbole?
To say that 'Bastardos' is one of BT's best works is tantamount to saying that 'Yesterday and Today' was The Beatles best work. Just as one could assume that person never heard of 'The White Album' or 'Sgt. Peppers' one would conclude that anyone reviewing 'Bastardos' as BT's finest work is oblivious to the significance of their self titled debut and 'Travelers and Thieves'.
If you like this album that's fine (I, for one, think it is unlistenable - and I've tried several times!) but do not brush aside the truly genius songwriting, thought provoking lyrics and infectious grooves of their early releases by shouting 'Bastardos' praises.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should this be your first BT purchase! If you like radio pop stuff then start with 'Four'. If you prefer under the radar brilliance a little too deep for mainstream then grab 'Travelers and Thieves' or their first release. Then spread out from there.
Fact: If these tunes here are what BT went to the industry execs with trying to land a recording deal, they would have been shown the door immediately, and we would not be having this conversation.
Popper: You are a lyricist to be compared to Dylan and Nelson. . . what the hell has happened here?
Sadly, this album isn't fiction.


If only we could give 0 stars, I would
First off, let me start by saying that I love. . LOVE. . . LOOOOOOOOVE Blues Traveler. I have all of their official releases, and literally over 100 additional CDs of live shows (they allow taping). I am one of those guys who, even if the live show recording doesn't soung very good, I will crank it up, and strain to listen to BT, because I love their music. With that said, this is the worst album I have ever heard of theirs. There are a few decent songs, but even most of those are ruined by horrible effects. . . they sound like kids who just learned how to use studio effects, but don't know how to do it well yet, so they just turned them on at random.

Missing from this album is EVERYTHING that makes a Blues Traveler album great. The songs are not well written, and sound like they were just thrown together. Popper's lyrics, usually brilliant, are pretty mundane. The vocals, usually amazingly powerful and expressive, are often distorted due to bad effects, and never really show off what Popper can do. Chan (the guitarist) is almost non-existant, and songs like Rubberneck just sound empty without him.

I'm glad that the band had a good time recording this album, but I sincerely hope that this was just a dud, and not the start of a horrible trend. This album is the most disappointing thing I have ever heard from a band I love so much.


Dont waste your time
Last summer they played at a benefit concert for kids with cancer and then played afterwards in town for half the cost. Save your money if they are playing in concert in your town. Just check out the local listings for a band called John Popper and friends. . . . The music is dated so you dont want to pay full price to hear them play.


Blues Traveler hits the ground running with Bastardos!
While I looked at some possible choices for albums to buy I was quite taken aback at how "fans" of BT were so quick to judge and hate this album. I only own one other Blues Traveler album : Four. I listened to the album non-stop and the band just sounds so in-sync "pardon the term" It has a very 60s Sgt Pepper's feel to it and sounds a lot like The Beatles best work . Yes,at times the tracks are jam packed with effects and tricks but that is not to say that the tracks do not stand well on their own. It is a wonderful album for fans of the 60s, and its complex solos and soulful lyrics can appeal to the younger kids as well. I believe that this album with Popper's soulful crooning and some wicked work on keyboards by Wilson, is the bands best. Whoever said Popper's harmonica is barely heard is wrong, Popper has toned it down to fit the mood of the piece , it is still very apparent . This album is an exploration for the band and I applaud them for that, plus, its sounds really good. You know the band had fun recording this album. So I think album should not be booed or hissed at, but stand side by side with such great albums as : The White Album, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road.


You can see a complete list of all Blues Traveler discography, or go back to the Blues Traveler tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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