Review Summary: Overall, this album is very catchy and has a very relaxed feel to it. Whether everything was completely pre-written or not, it all sounds improvised, an improvement over their last effort (Major Lodge Victory) where everything sounded like they weren't al
This is one album where everything varies tremendously from track to track, so breaking it down song by song would be the best way to do this review:
1."Don't Change For Me"-Some professional critics have pounded this one; I'm not gonna be so harsh. I think it's a good song. A little trite? Yes, but the band needed a fast, catchy track to open the album with, and this song serves it's purpose.
2."I Don't Wanna Lose You Now"-One of the pop masterpieces of the album. The opening riff is ridiculously catchy, as is the singing melody. There's some really good background vocals here, too.
3."Miss Disarray"-The album's lead single. The song itself isn't necessarily simple, but the concept is because it focuses mainly on the rhythm, which is catchy. It's a little contrived, unfortunately. It gives off the feel that the band just needed a single, and they got one.
4. "Wave Bye Bye"-another great opening guitar riff just like "I Don't Wanna Lose You". Some good lead guitar here. Very clean sounding, though not as jangly as some of their past stuff. Like many tracks on this album, the singing melody is VERY catchy, as they should be; lead vocalist Robin Wilson's recognizable voice is the band's strongest asset, and they should make good use of that by giving him good stuff to sing.
5."I'm Ready"-Oh dear. This one's about as corny and awful as it gets. Why they would include this one on the album when they're clearly capable of doing so much better, I have no idea. Then again, this is a band whose best song is a B-side that no one will ever see ("Seeing Stars").
6."Somewhere Tonight"-A favorite of many who have heard this album. No distinguishable guitar riffs like "Lose You" and "Bye Bye", but it doesn't need one because the atmosphere is so "chill", and the chorus is more than impressive.
7. "Go Cry Baby"- If not for the incredible closer ("Goin' to California"), this would easily be the best song on the album. The guitar is very crisp and has some memorable riffs. Again, the singing melody here is awesome. If you listen to this and don't find yourself humming it at work, there is something WRONG with you!
8."If You'll Be Mine"-Whether you like this one or not depends on your taste. I found it relaxing, but others have said they didn't care for it. It starts off with some piano, and is a fairly typical pop ballad.
Not as catchy as many of the other songs, but it has its attributes.
9."Dead or Alive on the 405"-Clean guitar chords and trumpets; sounds like ska. There's some really fun lyrics here. Lead singer Robin Wilson has been quoted as saying that "Give me my Eddie Money!" and "I'm just a cover band drummer stuck behind a hummer on the 405," are his favorite lines ever. I can't say I would listen to this one every time I put the CD in, but it's not a bad song.
10."Something Real"-Not much to see here. Really just a lame version of previous song "Somewhere Tonight".
11. "Goin' to California"-the album's closer and one of their best songs since the early 90's. It's kind of an odd song; not sure how to describe it. It's just a few chords which are allowed to REALLY ring out, one-at-a-time. There's some sort of jangly guitar, either a 12 str acoustic, or a semi-acoustic that's really clean sounding and adds a lot to the song. It's a very sincere meaningful song, and you'd really just have to hear it.
Overall, this album is very catchy and has a very relaxed feel to it. Whether everything was completely pre-written or not, it all sounds improvised, an improvement over their last effort (Major Lodge Victory) where everything sounded like they weren't allow to stray from the formal notes. I would recommend this one to fans and non-fans alike. Recommended tracks include: "Somewhere Tonight", "Go Cry Baby", "Goin' to California".
