Bradley Nowell was a singer. Not only that mind you, but it was most defenitely the high point about Sublime's music. Granted he was an excellent guitar player and knew how to improvise when needed. But if not for his voice the band would not be nearly as widely reknowned as they are now and the albums they recorded would seem like any other ska bands material. Not meaning to bash the other members of the band 'cause it is certainley doubtful that Bradley would succeed in summoning enough effort to release several records like
this one on his own. But it was a fantastic idea for a one time thing. On
Bradley Nowell & Friends, the untimely gone frontman takes the entire spotlight and alongside his trusty acoustic guitar bangs out a slew of catchy numbers that pertain to his previous work, but also take on a whole new breed of Sublime. Meaning mostly, that emotion is present in heavy form on this record, but not the kind that you usually expect. No, Brad is not an emo. Emotion doesn't have to represent sadness and angst, but the former can defenitely be zeroed in on during some songs. Brad conveys his thoughts across the board and can make you bawl your eyes out, or simply move your head left to right enjoying the happy catchy tunes. If you listen to this in full and not tap your foot to at least one track...well, I can't say I see much action going on in that brain of yours.
Good work goes unspoken, and the subliminal (no pun intended) message on this album is so powerful I'm surprised it doesn't become a realization for more people right off the bat. The music is mellow. Nothing much more than that, this record makes me think of funerals, and death, and everything I hate about what some albums paint in my mind. But despite the downer attitude of ninety percent of the entire tracklist it is impossible at times to just
stop listening. There is no desire; this album is like reading an entry out of Nowell's diary after his death. It all sounds like it was written and recorded in a small, lonely room by a ghost. Sadness is most defenitely a main idea that wasn't meant for the songs but found a way to lace itself within the chords. Of course, there would be serious doubts that these were recordings of a member of Sublime if the album was a complete death-fest. Songs such as 'Rivers of Babylon' (which also appeared on 40 Oz.), 'Saw Red', 'Little District' and 'Garden Grove' bring back the roots of Sublime and incorperate some much needed joy to
Acoustic.
Also, if it weren't for the 'friends' on the record, I'd think it'd cause mass suicide amongst fans. These additions being simply people that Brad may have been playing to at the time, close friends or bandmates sitting right next to him and even singing on the songs at times. However miniscule their contribution is physically, mentally it really forces out some happiness from the dank deserted chords and tortured voice Brad displays.
Picking up this record and giving it a listen means that you'll have to accept the ultimate fate of the band. I would not recommend a rookie Sublimer to try and get into the group's work through the acoustic stuff, this is more fitting as a final farewell. Listen to it last after all your other records are spun-out and your ears tire of them. It is unbelievebley listenable, though. Kind of like a good, short album review, about an EP. Read through the entire thing in less than a minute or two and enjoy the words while doing it. The words are most imperitive to this, as Bradley's singing gives the songs a much higher sense of power and effect for the listener.
There is a recurring theme to the record. Though in the process of recording the songs at so many different times Brad and 'friends' most likely did not realize this. Some songs are awfully short and don't do the actual song enough justice. Other tracks can really turn you onto the music, with one of the emotions Brad tends to like singing with. The actual theme itself is peacefulness, rest, relaxation, all that good stuff. It through and through personifies the end of Brad's time in this world. He would have no doubt wanted a record like this, but did not likely expect to record something of such emotional magnitude for his fans. Devastated at his death the band's followers took
Acoustic into their hands in a totally different way then what should have been. The songs themselves don't exceed much more than the basic chords and calming vocals found on any Sublime album. But his voice after death in such innocent manner after the release of the self-titled can prove to be a very eye-welling experience. You have to think whilst listening to such a record as this one. Remember how Brad would have wanted it.
Credits:
Guitars/Vocals: Bradley Nowell
Brad's friends, audience, and fans listening in on a master of music at work. And those who provided extra guitars and vocals for
'Rivers of Babylon'.
