The New Radicals: Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

New Radicals don't sound particularly new or all that radical, for that matter, but they sure are catchy as hell. The group represents a new, improved identity for one Gregg Alexander, a fellow who had a forgettable debut album with A&M Records in 1989 – I know because I've forgotten it entirely, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too won't disappear from consciousness so easily. Alexander has come into his own in a big way on the wildly infectious and intermittently deep-thinking Brainwashed, a song-cycle manifesto that's one of 1998's most pleasant surprises.

The hit "You Get What You Give" is melt-in-your-mouth ear candy, vaguely reminiscent of the opinionated power pop of the woefully underattended World Party, but with a passionate oddball bounce all its own. Graced by Alexander's Jaggeresque vocal, the song also features an apparent put-down of Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson and – egad – Beck. This, along with an apparent anti-anti-drug stance, is the closest thing to a real radical move on Brainwashed. For once in an age of disappointing, post-alterna one-hit wonders, there's more where that came from here, including the drop-dead-gorgeous "Someday We'll Know," the slowburning "I Hope I Didn't Just Give Away the Ending" and the unforgettably titled "Jehovah Made This Whole Joint for You." If you indeed get what you give, Alexander stands to score big time. (RS 801)

DAVID WILD

(Posted: Nov 17, 1998)

News and Reviews

How to Play This Album

Click the play button.
Register or enter your username and password.
Let the music play!

No commitment.
It's FREE.

Track List

Play All

Your Turn

Give us your review of Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too

Review 1 of 1

5of 5 Stars

The recording studio.Alicia Keys,Stevie Wonder,Tupac,and Fleetwood Mac and among others that are recognized for creating the most idealistic,influential albums in that worldly territory.No wonder why in this day in age it's simply known as "the lab".Particulary one man had a sheer vision of generally hectic situations/issues in society and relationships.
Wasting no time that man was a quietly humble,intelligent individual from Grosse Pointe,MI named Gregg Alexander.His vision was a result of an assembled rock/soul collective known as New Radicals,and their revolutionary album,"Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too".The album starts off fresh with "Mother We Just Can't Get Enough"-powerful,hip-swiveling,blue-eyed soul glazed with flare and feminine fiestiness(thanks to cohort,the superfine Danielle Brisebois)."You Get What You Give" is where the head Radical Alexander truthfully spreads the gospel regarding misguided teenage/twentysomething pricks and deceitful white collar "darlings" altogether corrupting society."Jehovah Made This Whole Joint For You" is the gutsy story of Gregg's religious,free-spirited sister Caroline.Then comes the most honest,heart-pounding slow jams "Brainwashed" has to offer."I Hope I Didn't Just Give Away The Ending" is an epic tale of two lovers going away towards a life of freedom and then trouble,defining its very moral at the end."In Need Of A Miracle" has Gregg Mapquesting his heart out to the one he loves-talk about a "Distant Lover"(Marvin said it best)."Someday We'll Know" immediately plunges into every damn body's heart and soul-wondering/anticipating what,where,when,who,why and how-exactly like the song's concept.Finally,"Flowers" is a dream ride into Gregg's mission to commit himself to the right one-and he puts it on his life too.Altogether,New Radicals' "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" is one of the diamonds in the rough that will forever shine as one of the last century's(and then on's)provocative,most visionary albums ever.

Oct 3, 2006 11:32:09

Previous Next