And once again we come crashing down to earth. After the superlative Super Fly last week, we're faced with a substandard, pedestrian little jangle pop album that hardly even deserves a meh.
1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Like most people: Beach Boys, Monkees wannabes.
2. What did you think of the opening track?
Didn't think much of it. Odd that TLP says that if the rest of the album were like this it would be much better. I'd have to disagree.
3. What did you think of the next track?
About the same. Pretty meh.
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
Passable. Nothing special. At times he seems to think he's so hard (“The Fight”) which is almost adorable.
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
Not really no. Standard jangly pop with bit of surf rock thrown in. Meh.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Improved slightly, but not a lot.
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
Quite puerile. The nadir of this, and its truest proof, is “The Fight”. Jesus guys! Write some lyrics, why don't you?
8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
Meh
9. What did you think of the production?
Insert answer here
10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
No.
11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Not really, no. I prefer a little more depth and colour in my music.
12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Kind of less. Only listened twice though.
13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
Nothing really stood out.
14. And the one(s) you liked least?
“The Fight”, by a long way. Though “Tearjerkin'” sounded like it was totally ripped off, although I couldn't say from what. “Cycles per second” was pretty annoying too.
15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
It is debut, so maybe. I don't know.
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
No
17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Not really. I'd read a few of the reviews and kind of knew what to expect.
18. Did the album end well?
Bleh.
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Some decent songwriting (sorry TLP; I don't see it), a better singer maybe?
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I really didn't care enough to notice.
Can only muster a
3/10 for this. Very boring and predictable. Next!