| Some people may have wondered if "How Does Your Garden Grow" was the end to this band. If that would be the case, then there wouldn't be "Closer" and there wouldn't be the band's best album to show for it. "Closer" is different from the other albums from the fact that it is not from the Elektra label. Beyond Records allowed them to be more expressive, and less experimental in this album, and it greatly shows. Unfortunately for BTE, Beyond went bankrupt. However, "Closer" is a masterpiece. "Misunderstood" is a nice start. I don't know if it was a single b/c I never heard it on the radio or saw a video, it has that quality of a single. Kevin Griffin's voice is absolutely great in this song, and is a good thing, b/c it carries through the rest of the songs as well. Now "Extra Ordinary" which was the the first single, wouldn't be something a BTE fan would think would be the best choice for a single, but it obviously does fit the criteria. Not too long, quick and poppy, energetic, and has a nice chorus. It's the song that attracted possible new fans and gave hope to the old ones knowing that they are once again making great music. The album slows down w/ the title track "Closer" which is damn new perfect. I don't know how they did it, but this song couldn't be written, sung, and played any better. It's a song that gets better every time you listen to it. I sometimes wonder if they spent much time on this song in the studios, b/c it's flawless. Absolutely a beautiful song. I don't know why, but "Rolling" just makes you happy. It features Toddy who has a nice voice who sings along in the chorus and other parts. It's a nice short happy song. Perhaps "A Lifetime" is a more personal song to someone on the band, but it's still good. The strings add flavor. It's probably the closest song that resembles HDYGG songs, but would be the best on that album. I think meanings can come out of this song. DJ Swamp is featured on "Recognize." I've never heard a BTE song like this before. It's almost has some kind of country rock beat to it w/ a touch of hip hop. It's an odd mix, but plays out nicely I think. "Sincerly, Me" gradually picks up from the beginning to end. Maybe that's why I like it. Along w/ a nice lyrically story, catchy tune, and pretty good guitar solo, this song ranks as one of the best on the album. Another slow break comes w/ "Get You In." There's nothing too great w/ this song in terms of the lyrics. But the music allows the words to be more than what they are on paper. Good song. My favorite song is "Briefly." I love it to death almost. It has a awesome sound to it, and is sung w/ much emotion. The words are meaningful as well. There's just something about this song that touches me in a way that other songs dont. Another song that sounds like something off HDYGG is "Juarez." Even though it is my least favorite on the album, it's a nice musical piece. More of an instrumental than a song, it seems like something you would listen to on a tropical island soaking back sippin' your martini. An excellent ending comes w/ "I Do." Sort of like a credits song you hear at the end of a movie. A happy fun song that has a positive attitude. Closer is by far the best album BTE has to date musically. Even though Friction, Baby and Deluxe may have sold more, Closer is by far the best. I just hope that they will cut a deal w/ a label and come out w/ great songs like the ones here. I reccommend this album to any pop/rock fan out there. | 
Expedited Available
"Very good album, underrated"