Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile
by Everclear
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jul 11, 2000
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9

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  1. j30
    Feb 1, 2012
    5
    A change for the worse. Maybe So Much For The Afterglow got to Everclear's head a little bit not knowing where to head next. How I miss the Sparkle and Fade days.
  2. daven
    Sep 22, 2006
    7
    Someone once told me that they thought all of Everclear's songs sounded the same. That person has obviously never listened to their CDs in their entirety. "World of Noise" was their best best Screaming Trees/Nirvana impression. The following "Sparkle and Fade" was them cleaning up their sound for a more mainstream grunge sound. "So Much for the Afterglow" incorporated pop for the Someone once told me that they thought all of Everclear's songs sounded the same. That person has obviously never listened to their CDs in their entirety. "World of Noise" was their best best Screaming Trees/Nirvana impression. The following "Sparkle and Fade" was them cleaning up their sound for a more mainstream grunge sound. "So Much for the Afterglow" incorporated pop for the first time into the mix. "Vol. 1" strips grunge in its entirety to result in a complete pop, almost Beatles-esque sound. The results are mostly good, with some tracks just not hitting home. This is no "So Much for the Afterglow" and "Sparkle and Fade" has a slight edge, but its still another solid release from a solid band.… Expand
  3. LukeJ
    May 18, 2006
    10
    This album.. infact all everclear albums are awesome in thier own right. i am myself a muscian i an succeful band, and i feel that every single song on this/all everyclear albums are totally clever in the writing and performance.. apart from two tracks that i feel should never of made thier discography.. but im not gonna go into the bad. this album has given me many a good listen and will This album.. infact all everclear albums are awesome in thier own right. i am myself a muscian i an succeful band, and i feel that every single song on this/all everyclear albums are totally clever in the writing and performance.. apart from two tracks that i feel should never of made thier discography.. but im not gonna go into the bad. this album has given me many a good listen and will till the day i die. the lyrics are potent and real, the music compliments the mood and each song takes you on a journey. Those who put down everclear for part 1 and 2 of this album are simpletons and do not realise what everclear was trying to achieve. where can you go after such success? they were trying something different. and personally i commend thier efforts. if you are looking for a great album full of emotion and personal experience to make you feel your not the only person who hurts and wants things to change in this world. then this is the album for you. its my life all over, it will most probably be yours. i just hope that everclear arnt dead forever.… Expand
  4. JesusW
    Aug 3, 2005
    8
    For starting out as a solo album by Art it turned out into a good Everclear album. With a memorable track or two.
  5. Joshua
    Sep 25, 2003
    0
    What happened to Everclear? You expected so much more out of them after their first two major releases, and what you get is something my parents wouldn't even listen to. When Art Alexakis wrote happier songs for So Much For the Afterglow, at least they were good. This album, along with the two after it they've released thus far, is a collection of songs that try too hard to be What happened to Everclear? You expected so much more out of them after their first two major releases, and what you get is something my parents wouldn't even listen to. When Art Alexakis wrote happier songs for So Much For the Afterglow, at least they were good. This album, along with the two after it they've released thus far, is a collection of songs that try too hard to be heartfelt. If they won't make another good album, I guess we'll all just have to stick with Sparkle and Fade. Ah, well.… Expand
  6. CraigF
    Dec 29, 2002
    9
    Great all-around album in the style of Everclear.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2000
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 4 out of 16
  1. Billboard
    70
    Everclear's first collection since 1997's "So Much For The Afterglow" is an unabashed love letter to the '70s, when AM radio still ruled and pop music was simple, good fun.
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  2. Salon
    20
    It wants a hit so bad -- wants to be so many things to so many people -- that you can feel the songs audibly buckling from all the promises it doles out.
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  3. MTV.com
    20
    The punky edge to the band has been all but jettisoned, in favor of slick production, orchestral backdrops, and cloying melodies that render even the occasionally dark lyrics (mostly about divorce this time) surprisingly limp.
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