This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Well, at least he’s being more honest about it.
The last time we heard from the unfortunately named 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, lead singer Russell Crowe was barely mentioned — now his name and mug are plastered all over the cover. Smart move. Because the truth is, TOFOG (jeez, even their acronym sucks) have little else going for them besides Crowe’s fame. Most of their songs are B-grade roots-rock in the vein of Midnight Oil. Sure, they all play in time and tune, but never with any real inspiration or individuality. And while Crowe can more or less lug a tune around with that husky Dylanesque rasp of his, his lyrics are at best high-schoolish dreck (“Baby the earth shook the last time I heard you cry”) and at worst hilariously harebrained (“Big wide world / Why don’t you swallow my gift?”). There may be Other Ways of Speaking, but none here that you’ll want to hear repeated.
