Review Summary: "I always knew I had the answer, but I never understood the question."
It can be said that Motion City Soundtrack let down a number of their fans with 2007’s
Even If It Kills Me. Hidden under the sharp production values and instantaneously flavorful, pop sensibilities was –
well, not all that much really. That seemed to be the primary problem with the album when compared to Motion City Soundtrack’s more tasty and finely-crafted debut and sophomore releases: though a consistent and catchy album, there wasn’t much to be found below the surface. Things were too easy to absorb, and as a result, too easy to forget.
”This is for real, this times I mean it,” became the ironic and depressing cry for most Motion City Soundtrack fans. It was as if the band had disappointed many of them by appeasing a different group of listeners altogether.
Well, Motion City Soundtrack and Mark Hoppus have joined forces once again to create this newest offering,
My Dinosaur Life. Thankfully, it's safe to say that this album takes careful steps in trying to avoid some of the mistakes of the past. Gone are the sugary sweet synths – that were honestly a bit too sweet in parts – and in their place the band has decided to return to the more basic guitar crunchy, pop punk styling of the band’s sophomore release,
Commit This To Memory. On opener “Worker Bee”, lead vocalist Justin Pierre croons in his golden tone:
”I’ve been a good worker bee / I deserve a gold star…” You see, in many ways, this phrase sums up the band’s return to form with this album; in agreement with Justin’s plea, yes, the band do deserve recognition and praise for their work.
Something that has always been a characteristic of Motion City Soundtrack's albums is that they tend to be very consistent in relation to supplying a powerful, unique hook for each individual song. If anything,
My Dinosaur Life makes good on this tendency, combining the more blatant, assessable nature of
Even If It Kills Me with the more subtle melodies of
I Am The Movie and the long-lasting qualities of
Commit This To Memory. Songs like lead single "Her Words Destroyed My Planet" hit hard and fast initially and decide to stay around in subsequent listens - this is one reason that the song is an excellent choice for a single. Likewise, “Delirium” starts on a typical, smart verse by Justin that escalates to an infectious double-chorus:
”I didn’t know it was hot in the middle / I touched it once, then I touched it a second time / cause I am that naive – a myriad of bright ideas…” Suffice it to say, I find that I am screaming the line at my speakers as I type.
Well hooks and even subtle melodies are fun, but what is a band like this without cheeky yet intelligent lyrics? As it turns out, Motion City Soundtrack have always delivered in that aspect as well. The band seemingly have the ability to relay the standard relationship/angst issues in a fresh, new, and exciting way. Likewise, Justin is the perfect delivery boy for these tales retold that we are all familiar with; his tone and texture of voice are unmistakable and soothing. “Pulp Fiction” – which is a real destroyer of a track with an immaculate chorus – shows the short front man in top form with one of his best vocal performances yet, screaming the instantaneously hooky line:
"Black and white and cheaply put together like a slasher film / I’m torn in opposite directions / the plot sucks, but the killings are gorgeous.”
If Justin sounds this good when excited and pumped, he sounds even better slowed-down and a bit more reserved. The short and sweet “Stand Too Close” begins on fond acoustics before cutting in with guitar distortion behind Justin’s liquid, calming delivery. More impacting is the utterly fantastic “Skin and Bones” that escalates to what is the album’s defining moment. Justin enters a whispered style in the background of the bridge while a voiceover of himself plays back the pleading chorus:
”Will we be alright left alone tonight?”. The moment is something that has to be heard by listeners, bringing back fond memories of the band’s classic “Hold Me Down” from their second album. Although the album tends to be great all the way through, not much comes close to this instant - as far as initial surprise and impact go. However, the fist-pumping closure that comes with the repeated choruses of “The Weakends” near the end of the album does happen to come close and is sure to bring a smile to listeners. There isn't really a better way the band could have closed the album off.
My Dinosaur Life is a triumph for Motion City Soundtrack. Those that jumped aboard for the obvious hooks of
Even If It Kills Me in 2007, and even those that were with the band from the get-go with
I Am The Movie, are sure to be pleased. I guess
My Dinosaur Life can best be described as a perfection of the band’s sound when looking back and compared to the band’s last three releases. So if well-crafted pop punk that is catchy, fun, and surprisingly witty at the same time is something that would interest you, you better get your hands on a copy of this. After some careful dissection and study of my own, I still have one question for the minds behind Motion City Soundtrack: why is a record like this being released in the middle of winter instead of the beginning of summer? My friends, prepare to gear up and sing along to
My Dinosaur Life until your lungs give out.
Recommended Tracks:
"Skin and Bones"
"Pulp Fiction"
"The Weakends"
"Her Words Destroyed My Planet"
"Delirium"
"Stand Too Close"
