See How We Are

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See How We Are
Studio album by X
Released	1987
Recorded	1987
Genre	Rock
Length	37:30
Label	Elektra
Producer	Alvin Clark
X chronology
Ain't Love Grand! (1985) See How We Are (1987) Live at the Whisky a Go-Go (1988)

See How We Are is the sixth studio album by American rock band X, released in 1987 by Elektra Records. It was their first album without founding guitarist Billy Zoom, who was replaced by ex-Blasters guitarist Dave Alvin for the album's recording sessions and some live shows. Alvin left X on good terms and was replaced by Tony Gilkyson.

It was reissued with five bonus tracks by Rhino in 2002.

"4th of July" appeared on the TV show The Sopranos, where it was played in the end credits to the 2006 episode "Live Free or Die".

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	link
Rolling Stone	Not rated link
The Village Voice	B[1]

Robert Christgau gave the album a lukewarm review in his 1987 "Consumer Guide" column for The Village Voice:

"Even during the first four songs, when the sustained detail of the writing--with a boost from Dave Alvin's tormented yet unembittered '4th of July'—makes it seems [sic] they'll fight for every inch, you miss Billy Zoom's syncretic junk: fine though he is, Tony Gilkyson is too neoclassy for these convinced vulgarians. Then the material devolves into complaints, throwaways, wasted stanzas, and utter clinkers."^[1]

Track listing[]

All tracks written by Exene Cervenka and John Doe except as indicated.

Side 1[]

1. "I'm Lost" – 2:55
2. "You" – 3:28
3. "4th of July" (Dave Alvin) – 3:32
4. "In the Time It Takes" – 3:09
5. "Anyone Can Fill Your Shoes" – 2:45
6. "See How We Are" – 3:46

Side 2[]

1. "Left & Right" – 2:57
2. "When It Rains..." – 4:29
3. "Holiday Story" – 3:36
4. "Surprise, Surprise" – 2:50
5. "Cyrano de Berger's Back" (John Doe) – 3:33

Bonus tracks (2002 reissue)[]

1. "Holiday Story (Demo/Remix)" – 4:00
2. "I'm Lost (Demo/Remix)" – 2:48
3. "Highway 61 Revisited" (Bob Dylan) (Outtake/Rough Mix) – 5:08
4. "In the Time It Takes (Demo/Remix)" – 3:08
5. "See How We Are (Demo/Remix)" – 3:57
6. (untitled hidden track) – 2:06

Personnel[]

X

• D.J. Bonebrake – drums, percussion
• Exene Cervenka – vocals
• Tony Gilkyson – guitars
• John Doe – vocals, bass

Additional personnel

• Dave Alvin – guitar, six-string bass
• Benmont Tench – Hammond organ, Casiotone

Charts[]

References[]