From The Bakersfield Californian January 22, 1999
New Radicals CD lives up to name
The New Radicals aren't really radicals, in the plural sense of
the word.
It's actually the New Radical, named Gregg Alexander. His debut album 'Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too', under the moniker New Radicals, is possibly the best album of 1999 (even though technically it came out in 1998).
This album is nothing short of amazing. It was written, produced, and arranged by Alexander. Every song is worth listening to, even the radio-friendly 'You Get What You Give'. The video first aired on '20 Minutes', and depicts kids 'radically' ransacking a mall and putting adults in cages, while Alexander sings, ¨'Don't give up, you've got a reason to live/Can't forget, you only get what you give..' It is not the best song on the album, but one among the many you could listen to over and over again.
Alexander has an indescribable talent for writing songs. None of the songs are typical 'young guy musician' songs; you know, songs about girls, love, lying and partying.
Though it's hard to describe the kind of music this is, at least one song is something any music fan would like. The title track from the album,'"Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too', isn't exactly a song. The track is just a weird synthesizer with an occasionally audible voice saying something. It is very odd, but captures the underlying theme of the album.
Gregg Alexander (or the New Radicals) is a musician/band to watch. There is something original in this album, and definitely in Alexander's style of music. Songs like 'I Don't Wanna Die Anymore' and 'Someday We'll Know', don't sound like they would be singles, but they shouldn't go unheard. This is a great album to own, and my new favorite.
~ Kristen Anderson ~
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