Bright Side

Dramarama was one of the most underrated bands to ever grace the alternative music scene, gaining very little respect beyond the rave reviews most rock critics heaped on their albums. So when they broke up in 1994, most assumed that it would be the last we would hear from these gifted musicians. Luckily, John Easdale decided to give it another try, and Bright Side was released a few years later. This is strong stuff; Easdale has an uncanny ear for good hooks and memorable lyrics. His fragile voice is reminiscent of Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner, but Easdale uses it in an entirely different way. From the '60s pop of "13th Summer Day" to the angry hard rock of "Breaking Things," Easdale proves that he is a far more versatile and interesting musician than one would expect. The gentle swagger of the title track is the highlight, a tale of broken hearts and redemption in Los Angeles. But his sweet, Stones-influenced ballads are equally good; both "Ecstatic" and "Drown" are heart-wrenching yet wonderful. Some may be put off by his stream of conscious lyrical style, but for the most part this is wonderful rock music that deserves a larger audience.