Search - Creeper Lagoon :: Take Back the Universe and Give Me Yesterday

Maintaing quirks, aiming big, Creeper takes a small step fwd

Christopher A. Anderson | Overland Park, KS United States | 04/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Creeper Lagoon has made a conscious effort to spread out their music across the States, via grassroots publicity, Internet, and now, with their first major label release, they have altered their style in hopes of gaining a wider appeal. This is not a bad thing. This country is in desperate need of a change in pop rock- the staleness of Eve 6, Three Doors Down, Tonic, Limp Bizkit, etc, is deadening our senses and ruining an entire generation of youth into thinking that this is ALL there is. Creeper is making an effort to change that. The result is a guitar focused, melody laden album that is fresh, cheerful, riff-laden, individualistic while still aiming for a broad audience. They have ditched the moodier, darker sounds of the last album, focusing more on the "Empty Ships" and "Dear Deadly" area, which were their two best radio-friendly works. Ian is the featured vocalist, with Sharkey Laguna doing more back-up. "Wrecking Ball" is a great first single, with a catchy chorus and rythmical acoustic opening before it tears in a screaming guitar melodies. Laguna still features his high fill-ins and his studio work displays his knack for mixing in techno elements in suttle layers of headphone rock. At it's best, "Take Back.." is an ambitious, superb summer album that makes you hope for rock that is pop, but still maintains an air of individuality and passion, creating riffs that aren't rip-offs of Green Day/Blink 182. At it's weaker points, I'm often reminded of Nada Surf with more tools, which really doesn't sound like a bad thing. Creeper has modified their sound, but I see it as a move to bring back guitar rock, and they have done this without compromising their personality. A must for any dual guitar lover who likes to sit on their porch in May at sunset with a cold beverage, chilling out with their friends. Rock on."

Forget yesterday, buy the album

Walter Swarthau | Provo, UT USA | 04/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan of Creeper Lagoon's earlier independet releases, I have to say that I think they've done a nice job of balancing their signature sound with some more radio-friendly stuff. Overall, I have to say that I found the production to be tastefully done.Yeah, I've heard the rumblings that Creeper Lagoon has gone the way of "corporate rock" by signing with Dreamworks. But they've got solid tunes on the album to please older fans while attracting new ones. The songs are well written and imaginative, the performances are great, so get over it. Besides, I would rather hear a Creeper Lagoon song on the radio than the current overproduced, manufactured bile that passes for music."

The Right Kind of Rock Music

Josh Goldberg | Pennsylvania | 04/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Creeper Lagoon picks up the rock mantle abdicated by groups like Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam. Their first full length album is a strong and inspired effort that deserves to reach a wide audience. They easily move from songs like the guitar-heavy "Chance of a Lifetime" to softer tunes like "Under the Tracks." For my money, the standout is "Wrecking Ball" -- which is one of those unusual songs that is both moving and compelling at the same time. The band also has a reputation for putting on great live performances. They recently appeared at the South by Southwest concert series in Texas and reportedly played a blistering set. If you are tired and frustrated of Limp Bizkit and other clone-like bands garnering all of the headlines and airplay, then consider purchasing this album. This is the type of unpretentious, straight-ahead music -- marked by with good lyrics and memorable tunes -- that we need more of."