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Music reviews 3/11
11 years ago
General
Matchbox 20- North: Hey look, Matchbox 20 put out another album and I don’t think I’ve heard any of these songs on the radio so it must not have done well. The opener is okay, but by the second track, I’m hating this. Matchbox 20 were amazing when they debuted, and then they decided to not be amazing anymore, so everything they’ve done since just disappoints. The dance-rock is just not doing it for me. Unless you listen to radio pop and nothing else, this is garbage. 4.5/10
Toad the Wet Sprocket- New Constellation: So psyched these guys finally got back together. I found out about their reunion, and this album, thanks to a tour stop in my town. Not something that happens often! Of course, I realize in listening to this that I only know TTWS from one (rather amazing) song, and there’s not going to be anything like that here. Still, this is solid alt-rock, and they’re at their best when doing four-part harmonies. “Rare Bird” reminds me of Chicago somehow. The one thing that really caught my attention is the song “I’ll Bet on You”, which is exactly the same as a song called “See You Again”… which it turns out is by TTWS side project Lapdog, so no foul. Let me tell you, that was some frantic Wikipedia-ing I did just now. Anyway, fans of acoustic-heavy alt rock will definitely want to check this out. It’s gentle and uplifting. 7/10
Above and Beyond- Group Therapy: These guys are a great trance duo, and I’m pleased to be hearing this album. This features Zoe Johnston and Richard Bedford on vocal collaborations, and… no one else. Odd, since I’ve never heard of either, but whatever, both are good. I think it’s safe to say that if you like vocal trance, you will like this. Pretty much every track is great. 8.5/10
Plug in Stereo- Nothing to Something: They don’t exactly sound like Dashboard Confessional, but I’m drawing a parallel: acoustic emo punk, albeit occasionally with a female vocalist. Despite the “emo” appellate, this is fairly light fare, emotional but not whiny, just sort of your general teenager stuff. I probably would have enjoyed this more ten years ago; now, a whole album of it is just too much.
Toad the Wet Sprocket- New Constellation: So psyched these guys finally got back together. I found out about their reunion, and this album, thanks to a tour stop in my town. Not something that happens often! Of course, I realize in listening to this that I only know TTWS from one (rather amazing) song, and there’s not going to be anything like that here. Still, this is solid alt-rock, and they’re at their best when doing four-part harmonies. “Rare Bird” reminds me of Chicago somehow. The one thing that really caught my attention is the song “I’ll Bet on You”, which is exactly the same as a song called “See You Again”… which it turns out is by TTWS side project Lapdog, so no foul. Let me tell you, that was some frantic Wikipedia-ing I did just now. Anyway, fans of acoustic-heavy alt rock will definitely want to check this out. It’s gentle and uplifting. 7/10
Above and Beyond- Group Therapy: These guys are a great trance duo, and I’m pleased to be hearing this album. This features Zoe Johnston and Richard Bedford on vocal collaborations, and… no one else. Odd, since I’ve never heard of either, but whatever, both are good. I think it’s safe to say that if you like vocal trance, you will like this. Pretty much every track is great. 8.5/10
Plug in Stereo- Nothing to Something: They don’t exactly sound like Dashboard Confessional, but I’m drawing a parallel: acoustic emo punk, albeit occasionally with a female vocalist. Despite the “emo” appellate, this is fairly light fare, emotional but not whiny, just sort of your general teenager stuff. I probably would have enjoyed this more ten years ago; now, a whole album of it is just too much.
