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 Another good album from the Dummies Jun 18, 2008
I actually managed to miss this album at its release. After "Worms's Life" (which I think is their best album) the band kind of fell off the radar, eventually dropping the bizarre "Give Yourself a Hand", and then parting with their label. So as a fan in the US I didn't hear much about them, getting "I Don't Care ..." simply by stumbling across it on the Internet and then not hearing anything else.
I think the people who like this album will be the same people who liked "I Don't Care ...". I thought that was a brilliant album. Certainly it was a complete change of sound, and really was only Brad with some session musicians. But I thought it was very powerful and honest, and it gained a lot of power from its simplicity. Really it was just Brad singing about how much life can suck after almost dying in a car wreck. And it was brilliant.
The other day I caught one of their live shows on TV and Brad happened to sing "It'll Never Leave You Alone" from this album. It stuck in my mind, but all I remembered was the cadence of the chorus. So I went through all their lyrics online matching them with the cadence and found out - hey - it was this album. Now I've heard it in its entirety and I think it's pretty good. It's a little uneven but there's some really good material here.
I completely understand why someone wouldn't like it, particularly if they were a fan of the more upbeat and ensemble sound of their first three records. But this group has done nothing but change. Their first album was country, the second was ensemble rock, the third guitar rock, the fourth electronica/dance/falsetto and now for a while Brad's been on a folky/acoustic kick. There have been a couple steps that haven't really jibed with me either but through it all I've remained a fan just because they are completely honest in their music, they do what they want, and they really don't care if you don't mind. I think that deserves respect, and when it leads to good music it certainly deserves a listen.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Groovy, Musical, Thoughtful, and Unique Dec 14, 2004
I've been a fan of the unique style, and re-invention that is the Crash Test Dummies for some time. I've not liked all their albums, and like anyone . . . The Crash Test Dummies have been hit and miss with me for years now.
So with that said . . . there is a distinct groove and maturity in this album that stands out. I enjoyed the heck out of the album "Give Yourself a Hand" for it's wicked and funny lyrics and funky almost-techno sound. And with that prior CD in mind there are a few songs that I believe led the Crash Test Dummies to "Puss N Boots" - namely the title track from the past album - "Give Yourself a Hand".
"Puss N Boots" has a definitive sound that is all Crash Test Dummies, but is comprised of old soul groove of the type that instantly made me smile and nod my head with the rhythm of the music.
I believe the Crash Test Dummies have another ageless album in "Puss N Boots". The album will be fresh, and timeless, much like "The Ghosts that Haunt Me", and "God Shuffled His Feet". The composition is mature, the lyrics are entertaining, and the rhythm of the band is in the pocket. Though thoroughly different, I was reminded of Steely Dan when I first heard this album . . . the way the music, lyrics, and feel of the band fit together.
If you like toe-tapping-make-you-smile-groove-music, then this is an album worth getting. If you're looking for the "Folksy" composition and lyrics of the earlier Crash Test Dummies . . . well you're not going to find it here, but you will find another ageless gem just the same.
4 of 7 found the following review helpful:
It's About Time. Jan 05, 2004
All I have to say is "welcome back to earth Brad Roberts" (I didn't really care for the past few records until now.) He has proven that he is going to be around for a long time. It sounds like Puss n' Boots is putting Crash Test Dummies back on the map. I highly recomend this record. It's sexy, groovy, heavy and honest.
13 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 Give it up Jan 05, 2004
Once again Brad Roberts has laid an egg, a rotten stinking egg that is. The first two Crash Test Dummies albums were inspired works of creative genius. ("God shuffled his feet" and "Ghosts that Haunt Me")
His latest "Puss N Boots" is let another in a sting of thoughtless boring disasters.
He has chosen to team up with a talent-less unknown named Stuart Cameron.
Stuart who is currently touring with Brad can barely play guitar
Brad has regressed to becoming misogynistic twelve year old.
The title of the album , according to Brad, refers to the young attractive ladies he saw walking around his studio in NY wearing boots.
.I saw them this December at the "Tin Angel " in Philadelphia. Brad makes non stop obnoxious comments degrading women including his past and current girlfriends. He brags relentlessly of his excessive use of drugs and alcohol which has taken a hard toll on his grossly overweight and decrepit physique.
He has become a bitter angry old man with the appearance of a homeless bum. Dan Roberts, Brad's brother and talented bass player look mortified to be on stage with these two cavorting fools. The only good part of the entire performance was when Stuart left the stage and the Roberts brothers played alone. My recommendation is that you stick to the original two albums. They are incredible works, with a unique sound and clever thoughtful lyrics. After that something happened to Brad. They should not even call the subsequent releases "Crash Test Dummies" as they are no longer remotely close to the great band they started out to be.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Upgraded Listening experience Nov 26, 2003
I like the CD, but it is just average. I want to like it more, and this is the first CTD that does not get a 5 out of me. I am patient however, lets hear another one (ha for patient eh?) anyway, not everything can be gold. **************************** Okay, after listening to this CD for about a month or so, I have decided that this CD is not as bad as I originally thought. Ever have a cd that grows on you? Well this is quite good in a lot of ways that I missed. So, I upgraded from a 3 to a 4. I think anyone who has purchased a CTD cd before may have to wait to enjoy this, but keep with it. Someone new to CTD may find this cd very enjoyable out of the box.
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