So i have been busy as all hell lately.
However - I did get my advance copy of Motion City Soundtrack's new album - Commit this to Memory.
My review is available soon online at www.punkrockreviews.com OR I have posted a shoot from the hip review on my live journal which I shall re-post here.
Ok folks - heres my personal rundown of Motion City Soundtrack's new Album: Commit this to Memory:
There is indeed something about a second album that looms and precursors expectations of any artist or group of artists. However, Motion City happens to hold a different place in my heart than most artists - making this whole second album situation a little more intense for me.
We should start at the beginning - which is where most awesome stories tend to start.
MCS first stumbled into my life circa to 3 years ago when I was drunk sorting through my good friend Rachel's cd collection. She had one of those 500+ CD cases filled with 499 circular pieces of shit. In the back sleeve behind all the other crap was a five and a half inch floppy disc - one that I used to play "oregon trail" with on my Apple IIE when I was in first grade. On the disc was a sticker - Motion City Soundtrack. I asked what the hell this was - only to begin a voyage into a musical group that I never thought would be anywhere near on my mind as I sit here.
But enough of my history with MCS. Onto their new album, what I think and why.
Im going to write this review as I listen to the cd straight through - from track 1 to 12 - unedited - just babbling what pops in my quasi-authoritative mind. First read - point blank.
I would expect a much stronger introduction track - the slow rolling intro on track one followed by a short lyric verse makes me think first album - possibly weak second. There are lengthy lyric breaks in Attractive today - followed by a very repetitive chorus, minimal music, and overly weak message of wanting to feel alive and attractive - dont we all.
Moving into the second tune, Im faced with a filtered drum intro - way to be original *grins* - but moving past that. I am excited when we finally get to hear MCS-type lyrics - sung true by our favorite frontman loud and proud. This song feels much more like MCS. Even the MOOG comes back stronger. This song appeals much more to the original reasons people liked MCS - Dark semi-dismal lyrics displayed in a super upbeat playful. "I used to rely on self-medication , I guess I still do that from time to time, but im getting better at future, someday youll be fine" Bravo! This song could keep me listening to track number three - especially with a nice breakdown into a driving high pitched chorus in the round close to two minutes in - those thing always drive the point home as well as raise the goose pimples up a bit.
Moving forward - when youre around - been in love with this song since the acoustic version leaked 3ish months back. Must say I think this song will be the first single off this album - probably picked up by MTV - and may, oh yes may take MCS to that stardom that could kill their coolness in my mind. BUT with a chunk of lyrics like "Im so full of love it deeply sickens me" - you have to wonder whether or not they deserve it. Parts of me like the acoustic version better - but then the parts of me that still like to jump up and down pushing teenagers around at shows takes over and the chorus drives that nail home. *grins again* good tune - old and new MCS fans will soon memorize this track. Kudos.
Track 4 - worries me, thoughts of yellowcard and what has become of them start popping into my head and I want to press the little >> button on my iTunes. Ill stick it out. Lyrically - this song screams "weak". This is obviously a dedication song to someone - or at least thats what the lyrics would have you imagine. All I can keep thinkig to myself through this song is "Brand New, goddamn you Brand New". Lets hope the next track makes up for this one - especially for the ending.
Another drum intro - ok - the lyrics make up for it. good save. Why tho - why the driving instruments when youre voice is still light and airy - youre confusing me stylistically here. Im going to take a break in this track (which also I think has something to say about its capturing me or not) to talk about the MOOG - WHERE IS IT? Im near halfway now and I can barely tell you even still have the guy playing in the band. No worries - there are 7 more tracks left. Alright - I had to step back from my digression and listen again - this song gets good at 2 minutes and 10 seconds. slow - running drums keeping the listener attentive to lyrics while being bounced by the beats - lyric breakdown - where was this in minute one!?
Make out kids - make out kids never had a chance to be best friends? HEY ITS THE MOOG! Unfortunately its - uhm, cheesy and awkward. Wait - was that a triangle? Oh man. "cocktails and minature mistakes" - nice lyrical blurb there, Overall the playful - woah - clapping - uhm, the overall happy tone of this song is both super fucking annoying and catchy at the same time. Yeah.
HEY!!! Here we go! This is the shit that made me love these guys - Driving, MOOG enhanced fucking rock. Great lyrics thus far, and Motion City-esque nuances making the song that much more excellent. Great lyrical call and answer right where it needed to be - mid track, followed by a breakdown reminding me of "autographs and aplogies" well done here again by MCS. Im expecting an awesome finish here - well see if I am right. I think I am -yet another running drum breakdown build - with awesome lyrics and haunting answers. Man - a total drop out at the end - not what I expected at all, but something I sure dont mind.
Forward again - no no no no no. Dont haunt me again Chris Carabba - you motherfucker. NOT HERE!!! NOT NOW!!!! Honestly tho, While this song makes me think of heartfelt emo letters written by star crossed lovers and all - The lyrics are really good. The song conceptually works, it makes me cringe a bit - but it works. To each their own. PS - this song was skipped ahead with the fwd button around 2 and a half minutes - so if that says something I guess it does.
9 out of 12 - rock and roll. Alrighty - thank god its like this and not like it was before.Rather weak opening lyrical statement - but decent rolling tune thus far. oh - the opening statement is the chorus - whoops. well, half of the chorus. Im not sure what it is now, maybe there are two independent choruses (chorusi?) Well - in the time it took me to figure it all out this song has ended.
10 - Alright - Im not sure what is going on. This song is good - up until "These humans all suck". Now Im totally back in Carabba mode thinking about such songs as "living in your letters" and "screaming infidelities".
Please god rock.Hmm - decent rocking in progress - but not MCS driving ultra-rock. This is a mix of old MCS and the eels with over-bearing droning guitar work and minimal movement in scale and tone. Oh - and this is also must be where the album title came from. *grins*. Im not so sure about this songs movement after 2 minutes - where it totally changes gears and chords from major-esque to minor-esque. Another weak ending and heres the last tune.
More drums! Woo woo. This song once again reminds me of autographs and apologies - only with a very Carabba intro and nowhere near as strong a chorus. This song is a bit too long I feel for the content, but all in all isnt that bad.
WRAPUP:
Well - Its definitely something different from MCS. If you come into it expecting the same Tune in Tune out fast paced MOOG punk, youre in for quiet a surprise. I truly believe this album wil grow on a lot of people as time goes on - and that is does show a good representation of MCS moving forward as artisits. Art, like most things, can change forms within people as time goes on with little or extreme variation. While this album does not by any means match their older work - it moves in a more mellow direction which is niehter here nor there in comparison. I remain a fan and avid listener.
Cheers,
_t
However - I did get my advance copy of Motion City Soundtrack's new album - Commit this to Memory.
My review is available soon online at www.punkrockreviews.com OR I have posted a shoot from the hip review on my live journal which I shall re-post here.
Ok folks - heres my personal rundown of Motion City Soundtrack's new Album: Commit this to Memory:
There is indeed something about a second album that looms and precursors expectations of any artist or group of artists. However, Motion City happens to hold a different place in my heart than most artists - making this whole second album situation a little more intense for me.
We should start at the beginning - which is where most awesome stories tend to start.
MCS first stumbled into my life circa to 3 years ago when I was drunk sorting through my good friend Rachel's cd collection. She had one of those 500+ CD cases filled with 499 circular pieces of shit. In the back sleeve behind all the other crap was a five and a half inch floppy disc - one that I used to play "oregon trail" with on my Apple IIE when I was in first grade. On the disc was a sticker - Motion City Soundtrack. I asked what the hell this was - only to begin a voyage into a musical group that I never thought would be anywhere near on my mind as I sit here.
But enough of my history with MCS. Onto their new album, what I think and why.
Im going to write this review as I listen to the cd straight through - from track 1 to 12 - unedited - just babbling what pops in my quasi-authoritative mind. First read - point blank.
I would expect a much stronger introduction track - the slow rolling intro on track one followed by a short lyric verse makes me think first album - possibly weak second. There are lengthy lyric breaks in Attractive today - followed by a very repetitive chorus, minimal music, and overly weak message of wanting to feel alive and attractive - dont we all.
Moving into the second tune, Im faced with a filtered drum intro - way to be original *grins* - but moving past that. I am excited when we finally get to hear MCS-type lyrics - sung true by our favorite frontman loud and proud. This song feels much more like MCS. Even the MOOG comes back stronger. This song appeals much more to the original reasons people liked MCS - Dark semi-dismal lyrics displayed in a super upbeat playful. "I used to rely on self-medication , I guess I still do that from time to time, but im getting better at future, someday youll be fine" Bravo! This song could keep me listening to track number three - especially with a nice breakdown into a driving high pitched chorus in the round close to two minutes in - those thing always drive the point home as well as raise the goose pimples up a bit.
Moving forward - when youre around - been in love with this song since the acoustic version leaked 3ish months back. Must say I think this song will be the first single off this album - probably picked up by MTV - and may, oh yes may take MCS to that stardom that could kill their coolness in my mind. BUT with a chunk of lyrics like "Im so full of love it deeply sickens me" - you have to wonder whether or not they deserve it. Parts of me like the acoustic version better - but then the parts of me that still like to jump up and down pushing teenagers around at shows takes over and the chorus drives that nail home. *grins again* good tune - old and new MCS fans will soon memorize this track. Kudos.
Track 4 - worries me, thoughts of yellowcard and what has become of them start popping into my head and I want to press the little >> button on my iTunes. Ill stick it out. Lyrically - this song screams "weak". This is obviously a dedication song to someone - or at least thats what the lyrics would have you imagine. All I can keep thinkig to myself through this song is "Brand New, goddamn you Brand New". Lets hope the next track makes up for this one - especially for the ending.
Another drum intro - ok - the lyrics make up for it. good save. Why tho - why the driving instruments when youre voice is still light and airy - youre confusing me stylistically here. Im going to take a break in this track (which also I think has something to say about its capturing me or not) to talk about the MOOG - WHERE IS IT? Im near halfway now and I can barely tell you even still have the guy playing in the band. No worries - there are 7 more tracks left. Alright - I had to step back from my digression and listen again - this song gets good at 2 minutes and 10 seconds. slow - running drums keeping the listener attentive to lyrics while being bounced by the beats - lyric breakdown - where was this in minute one!?
Make out kids - make out kids never had a chance to be best friends? HEY ITS THE MOOG! Unfortunately its - uhm, cheesy and awkward. Wait - was that a triangle? Oh man. "cocktails and minature mistakes" - nice lyrical blurb there, Overall the playful - woah - clapping - uhm, the overall happy tone of this song is both super fucking annoying and catchy at the same time. Yeah.
HEY!!! Here we go! This is the shit that made me love these guys - Driving, MOOG enhanced fucking rock. Great lyrics thus far, and Motion City-esque nuances making the song that much more excellent. Great lyrical call and answer right where it needed to be - mid track, followed by a breakdown reminding me of "autographs and aplogies" well done here again by MCS. Im expecting an awesome finish here - well see if I am right. I think I am -yet another running drum breakdown build - with awesome lyrics and haunting answers. Man - a total drop out at the end - not what I expected at all, but something I sure dont mind.
Forward again - no no no no no. Dont haunt me again Chris Carabba - you motherfucker. NOT HERE!!! NOT NOW!!!! Honestly tho, While this song makes me think of heartfelt emo letters written by star crossed lovers and all - The lyrics are really good. The song conceptually works, it makes me cringe a bit - but it works. To each their own. PS - this song was skipped ahead with the fwd button around 2 and a half minutes - so if that says something I guess it does.
9 out of 12 - rock and roll. Alrighty - thank god its like this and not like it was before.Rather weak opening lyrical statement - but decent rolling tune thus far. oh - the opening statement is the chorus - whoops. well, half of the chorus. Im not sure what it is now, maybe there are two independent choruses (chorusi?) Well - in the time it took me to figure it all out this song has ended.
10 - Alright - Im not sure what is going on. This song is good - up until "These humans all suck". Now Im totally back in Carabba mode thinking about such songs as "living in your letters" and "screaming infidelities".
Please god rock.Hmm - decent rocking in progress - but not MCS driving ultra-rock. This is a mix of old MCS and the eels with over-bearing droning guitar work and minimal movement in scale and tone. Oh - and this is also must be where the album title came from. *grins*. Im not so sure about this songs movement after 2 minutes - where it totally changes gears and chords from major-esque to minor-esque. Another weak ending and heres the last tune.
More drums! Woo woo. This song once again reminds me of autographs and apologies - only with a very Carabba intro and nowhere near as strong a chorus. This song is a bit too long I feel for the content, but all in all isnt that bad.
WRAPUP:
Well - Its definitely something different from MCS. If you come into it expecting the same Tune in Tune out fast paced MOOG punk, youre in for quiet a surprise. I truly believe this album wil grow on a lot of people as time goes on - and that is does show a good representation of MCS moving forward as artisits. Art, like most things, can change forms within people as time goes on with little or extreme variation. While this album does not by any means match their older work - it moves in a more mellow direction which is niehter here nor there in comparison. I remain a fan and avid listener.
Cheers,
_t