Better Than Ezra
Biography
Along with such similarly styled outfits as the Goo Goo Dolls, the New Orleans-based trio Better Than Ezra helped open the floodgates for countless alt-pop acts of the late '90s (including Semisonic, Matchbox Twenty, and Third Eye Blind) by merging college rock influences with mainstream aspirations. Originally formed in 1988 as a roots rock outfit with slight elements of country and punk, the group's first incarnation consisted of four college students from Louisiana State University: Kevin Griffin (vocals, guitar), Joel Rundell (guitar), Tom Drummond (bass), and Cary Bonnecaze (drums). The band's early performances were expectedly held at college bars and fraternity houses, and their debut cassette-tape recording, 1990's Surprise, received positive press and comparisons to such alt-punk stalwarts as the Replacements and Dinosaur Jr. Despite these accolades, Better Than Ezra's future was thrust into doubt when Rundell committed suicide on August 8, 1990. . The remaining bandmates initially opted to go their separate ways after Rundell's passing, but they reunited as a trio before the end of the year. Deciding that a change of scenery would be helpful, Better Than Ezra relocated to Los Angeles shortly thereafter, where they laid down tracks at a friend's home studio to create their 1993 independent release, Deluxe. The album continued to raise the band's profile and eventually drew the attention of several major labels. The trio signed with Elektra Records, and Better Than Ezra's new label reissued Deluxe two years after its original release. The album spawned a sizeable radio hit with "Good," which helped push the album to platinum status by the end of 1995. But despite enjoying a hit right off the bat, Bonnecaze opted to leave the group in early 1996 and was replaced by a fellow New Orleans native (who, at the time, was living in San Francisco), Travis McNabb.
Top Albums |
1. Closer
| 2. Better Than ..
| 3. Paper Empire..
| 4. All Together..
| 5. Deluxe
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6. Death Valley
| 7. How Does You..
| 8. Closer
| 9. Friction Bab..
| 10. Artifakt
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11. Live at 2012..
| 12. Before the R..
| 13. Surprise (25..
| 14. Closer
| 15. Crazy Lucky ..
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Top Songs |
| Name | Album | Time | Price | |
1. | Good | Better Than Ezra: Greatest .. | 3:05 | $1.29 | |
2. | Desperately Wanting | Better Than Ezra: Greatest .. | 4:37 | $1.29 | |
3. | Crazy Lucky | Crazy Lucky - Single | 3:11 | $1.29 | |
4. | Good | Deluxe | 3:05 | $1.29 | |
5. | Gonna Get Better | All Together Now | 3:06 | $1.29 | |
6. | Crazy Lucky | All Together Now | 3:11 | $1.29 | |
7. | Desperately Wanting | Friction Baby | 4:37 | $1.29 | |
8. | Lifetime | Closer | 3:36 | $0.99 | |
9. | Extra Ordinary | Better Than Ezra: Greatest .. | 3:38 | $1.29 | |
10. | At the Stars | Better Than Ezra: Greatest .. | 3:43 | $0.99 | |
11. | King of New Orleans | Better Than Ezra: Greatest .. | 4:07 | $1.29 | |
12. | Simple Song | Closer | 4:41 | $0.99 | |
13. | Screwed Up and Beautiful | Closer | 3:08 | $0.99 | |
14. | I Do | Closer | 3:49 | $0.99 | |
15. | Juarez | Closer | 4:12 | $0.99 | |
16. | Briefly | Closer | 4:17 | $0.99 | |
17. | Recognize (feat. DJ Swamp) | Closer | 3:19 | $0.99 | |
18. | Lifetime | Closer | 3:36 | $0.99 | |
19. | Closer | Closer | 4:32 | $0.99 | |
20. | Extra Ordinary (feat. DJ Swamp) | Closer | 3:40 | $0.99 | |
21. | Misunderstood | Closer | 3:45 | $0.99 | |
22. | Shut Up and Dance | All Together Now | 3:14 | $1.29 | |
23. | I Fly Away | All Together Now | 3:24 | $1.29 | |
24. | Diamond In My Pocket | All Together Now | 2:40 | $1.29 | |
25. | One Heart Beating | All Together Now | 3:23 | $1.29 | |
Top Music Videos |
1. Good
| 2. In The Blood
| 3. Absolutely St...
| 4. Just One Day
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