Review Summary: Shouldn't this be absolutely horrendous? Yes. Is it? Hmmm.
There's something about a band riding the coattails of a hit song that makes us want them to fail. In 2009, Cobra Starship released third LP
Hot Mess. The album featured lead single "Good Girls Go Bad" that went 4x platinum and charted at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. At that moment the band must have realized how simple it was to craft a hit single. They did it once right? Thus we have the bands 4th release
Night Shades propelled by hit single "You Make Me Feel." This features 10 of those simple hit tracks. The album takes a full departure from the bands previous dance/disco punk roots in favor of a smooth dance pop sound. Shouldn't this be absolutely horrendous?
At times it is, "Disaster Boy" is cringe inducing to say the least. The song is the first one by the group to feature keytar player Victoria Asher on vocals. These vocals are an extremely acquired taste at best. Her nasally tone is best suited for Asian dance music. You wonder what the producers, and group themselves were thinking making her sing. However the song itself is solid. It actually has the feel of a pop punk song at times, blasphemy right? Lyrically it's also decent, but shallow. When compared to "Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault" and "***ed In Love", "Disaster Boy" is a Shakespearean work. "Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault" is redundant, I can't blame the DJ for that. It easily becomes pretty obvious how the song get it's title with this chorus.
"Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault.
Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault.
Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault.
I'll save your soul get on the floor baby
Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault.
Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault.
Don't blame the world, it's the DJ's fault.
I'll save your soul get on the floor."
***ed in Love is just as bad. The power pop, love gone bad ballad, is confusing lyrically. This detracts from the fact that the song is at least well sounding.
In one particular occasion the snark that the band used to show us shines through. The standout track "Fool Like Me" is, well foolish. However it is enjoyable. The band employs an island style beat to accentuate the tune. Gabe sings to us about how he is far too immature for the girl of his dreams. It's no hit lyrically for sure. However, the band used to have this carefree attitude and at this particular moment, that confidence is showcased. The track uses playful provocativeness, and a sense of humor rarely found on the rest of the LP. "Fool Like Me" is clearly the best track for the older Cobra Starship fan.
The bands most surprising moment to date comes on album opener "You Belong With Me". This is the bands first ballad since "Being From Jersey Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry" off the groups first effort
While The City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets. First listening to this release I would have never expected a ballad. The song is safe, no doubt about it, but since it's uncharted territory for the group, you sense the band leaving their comfort zone. Maybe that was a prophecy for us to figure out about this release?
Their new sound is at times extremely enjoyable. "#1Nite" is an extremely catchy dance pop track. The album makes good use of the star producer Ryan Tedder, who provides guest vocals on the song. The lyrics best catch the vibe of the album as carefree in a different style.
"Cuz tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving.
So right now you better jump right in.
Tomorrow morning, we'll be leaving.
We gotta live like we got one night."
The carpe-diem night anthem also tools with the use of chiptune throughout. While this normally reserved for the geek bands it serves a good purpose on this dance track. "Anything for Love" is no dud as well. The song plays with a style similar to that of the new wave age of the 80's. It's as catchy as was Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl", but more repetitive.
They did do anything for love on their smash hit "You Make Me Feel." The group did not even co-write their own song for the first time. However Gabe Saporta did acquire Rihanna sound-alike Sabi to lend her vocals to the track. As far as pop tracks go, it's a pretty strong track. The jam has a distinguishable hook, easy for people to memorize (numerous la la la's), and it's bass is heavy. "You Make Me Feel" is very similar to the contradictory "Middle Finger" featuring young rapper Mac Miller. The bass is overpowering, and the lyrics are easy for the young and mainstream populace to understand. It's disposable though, and that's the album's biggest problem.
What we have here on
Night Shades is a mixed bag of sorts. The album is sure to bring along plenty of new fans, and chase off some of the old ones. Dance pop is the new mainstream craze. Cobra Starship wanted us to feel their impact on this craze, or they wanted to make a lot of money. However as a whole, this album is a fun listen.
Night Shades won't be winning any awards, but it is good to listen on your on top of the world kind of days. Old Cobra Starship albums were meant to listen to in confidence, and not to be taken seriously. Maybe the band knew this all in the making of
Night Shades. Although, the tongue has definitely gone in the respective cheek of the Cobra Starship project. When using the conservative side of what's going to sell, compared to what you have established, ruins your credibility as a band and as people. Hopefully Gabe and company learn their lesson after this release, that barely earns a passing grade.
