New Radicals

The New Radicals, an alternative-pop band, were really just one guy: vocalist and songwriter Gregg Alexander, plus a revolving door of musicians. Gregg's idea was to have a band where you could come in, play however long you want, then leave without any hassle. They were regarded as a one-hit wonder, since their only single, "You Get What You Give," did so well but couldn't be followed up. They broke up after only one album, so Gregg could become a music producer.

Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too (1998) 8 Thumbs Up

"You Get What You Give," the New Radicals' only single, became so popular because of controversy. The song makes fun of people like Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson for being fakes, and as a result, went straight to the top of the charts. Disregarding their status as a "one-hit wonder," Gregg Alexander can write some really intelligent pop songs, and shouldn't be underestimated. Oh sure, when he's ranting emptily about social revolution, you have to suspend some disbelief, and sometimes his comments border on pretention, but it's really a great pop album. His songs are powerfully emotional by being very simplistic, like "I Hope I Didn't Just Give Away the Ending," a story of young love ruined by drug addiction.

"Jehovah Made This Whole Joint for You" and "Technicolor Lover" are hilarious songs about weird love interests, plus there are plenty of sad songs that are so much better than emo, such as "Crying Like A Church On Monday" and "Someday We'll Know." The most annoying track on this album is "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too," which has lyrics about the evils of capitalist consumerism in the lyrics booklet, but is actually just Gregg Alexander mumbling over weird background music. Like I said, when Gregg attempts to be deep, you have to just roll with the punches. Overall, though, this is emotional music I don't feel like a trendy loser for listening to.

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