Review Summary: “We’ve got all night, if you've got rock and roll, you’re gonna be alright. So give me one more drink and play my favorite song. Put a quarter in the jukebox and sing along.”
Hearing The Summer Set sing about rock and roll on their newest effort really rubs me the wrong way. Now, I consider myself to be a rather open minded music listener as I’m more than willing to step outside of my comfort zone, and I tend to give every album a fair chance. However, every once in a while an album comes along that is so contrived, so bottom-of-the-barrel, that it must be made known to the world. To be honest, I’m not very familiar with The Summer Set. Sure, I’ve heard a few of their songs, but they never really left much of an impression on me (good or bad). So out of pure curiosity I decided I’d give their new album a shot, and what a frustrating mistake it was. Given the sound of the album, they wouldn’t know rock and roll if it bit them where it hurts.
Few words can even express just how bad The Summer Set’s newest album is. I‘ve heard my fair share of disappointing music, but the ironically titled
Legendary creates a new definition of low for the genre. I honestly don’t remember the last time I heard such a childish attempt at an album. Every song is so lyrically inept and devoid of any substance, you’ll likely find yourself either laughing or getting pissed off you wasted your time listening to songs about Dawson’s Creek. Granted, the genre isn’t exactly known for its stellar lyrics, but these are extraordinarily bad, almost as if the band didn’t even try. Unfortunately, it’s not any more impressive musically, as every song sounds nearly the same with lazily used electronics and uninspired guitars. There’s just nothing exciting enough going on to make up for the album’s lack of character.
Despite the album being constantly painful to listen to, there are some well executed ideas. Such as the upbeat electronics that enhance the chorus of ‘Boomerang’, but that isn’t enough to save it from lyrics like
If I was Jay-Z, you’d be my Beyonce, We could rock the nation like they do. Literally every song is plagued with poorly-written and even shameful lyrics. And let’s not forget about lines like
Well I must confess, I’m a little obsessed with Dawson’s Creek. Yeah I know what you think, it’s not what it seems. Can I buy you a drink? The funny thing is, it’s hard to even imagine the vocalist being able to handle his liquor, let alone finding somebody who’d actually be willing to party with him. Had I known what I was getting myself into upon listening to the album, I would have had a few drinks myself.
Hopefully, The Summer Set’s newest album will be the worst thing I’ll have to sit through all year. With songs so artificial they make bands like Boys Like Girls sound appealing, it really is a bare boned offering. Thankfully, the title track is slightly better than the trash that infests the rest of the album, as the vocalist doesn’t sound as annoying, and at least the lyrics are slightly better. However, by the time you get that far into the album, you’ll have run out of any possible reason to care. And then you’ll be hunting for some extra-strength Tylenol.
