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Music reviews 3/14
12 years ago
General
Haha, forgot again.
Mika- The Origin of Love: I've enjoyed Mika in the past, but long gone are the days of "Lollipop". What this album is lacking is major standouts. There's good songs, yes, but nothing I'm likely to be humming for days on end. "Overrated" comes close, but that's the best I can say for it. That said, there is a nice slew of catchy tunes in the middle, but the lack of a strong opening is definitely not in this album's favor. One song makes a reference to "popular corn" that just has me dying. So this isn't a waste of time, but it could definitely be better. 6.5/10
Pet Shop Boys
Elysium: These albums came out in the last two years. I love when that happens. This is a thoroughly downtempo album that might be a surprise to people expecting dancepop. Like, y'know, me. It's not bad, it's just not terribly exciting. 5/10
Electric: I could imagine these were devised as a sort of dual-concept, the first album soothing and this one invigorating. This definitely has more hallmarks of their classic style, like "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct", but it still isn't what I'd call 'exciting'. At least it's got some energy to it! 6/10
The Killers- Battle Born: That's a pretty metal album title for a band like the Killers. Otherwise, this is a pretty standard album for them. I suppose the nice way to put it is, "If you like the Killers, you'll like this," but honestly, there's nothing notable other than it's yet another decent collection of modern rock. 5.5/10
Ben Folds Five- The Sound of the Life of the Mind: Ah, here was a huge reunion. Being more a fan of Ben Folds' solo work than BFF, however, I'm more or less sitting by intrigued to see what comes of it. I dunno, there's just something about Ben Folds working in a trio that dilutes the pure awesomeness he displays on his own. And while this is definitely wrought with Ben Folds' signature lyrical style, well... "Do It Anyway" I must have heard as a preview or something, because it sounds familiar, and despite that familiarity, it's got a certain laxness about the chorus that I can't help but feel encapsulates my thoughts on the album overall. I do like the one about hearing beards and drawings dicks on the wall. 5/10
No Doubt- Push and Shove: Here's a return I was NOT waiting for. Their last album together was the disappointingly reggaepop Rocksteady, and I'm anticipating more of the same, which is to say, not ska. Yes, once again, "No Doubt" becomes a nostalgic smokescreen hiding yet another Gwen Stefani record, just your standard dancepop-rock with the occasional laconic bassline to tease at the faithful. The No Doubt I once knew and loved is dead, but I don't have to like it. 4.5/10
Mika- The Origin of Love: I've enjoyed Mika in the past, but long gone are the days of "Lollipop". What this album is lacking is major standouts. There's good songs, yes, but nothing I'm likely to be humming for days on end. "Overrated" comes close, but that's the best I can say for it. That said, there is a nice slew of catchy tunes in the middle, but the lack of a strong opening is definitely not in this album's favor. One song makes a reference to "popular corn" that just has me dying. So this isn't a waste of time, but it could definitely be better. 6.5/10
Pet Shop Boys
Elysium: These albums came out in the last two years. I love when that happens. This is a thoroughly downtempo album that might be a surprise to people expecting dancepop. Like, y'know, me. It's not bad, it's just not terribly exciting. 5/10
Electric: I could imagine these were devised as a sort of dual-concept, the first album soothing and this one invigorating. This definitely has more hallmarks of their classic style, like "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct", but it still isn't what I'd call 'exciting'. At least it's got some energy to it! 6/10
The Killers- Battle Born: That's a pretty metal album title for a band like the Killers. Otherwise, this is a pretty standard album for them. I suppose the nice way to put it is, "If you like the Killers, you'll like this," but honestly, there's nothing notable other than it's yet another decent collection of modern rock. 5.5/10
Ben Folds Five- The Sound of the Life of the Mind: Ah, here was a huge reunion. Being more a fan of Ben Folds' solo work than BFF, however, I'm more or less sitting by intrigued to see what comes of it. I dunno, there's just something about Ben Folds working in a trio that dilutes the pure awesomeness he displays on his own. And while this is definitely wrought with Ben Folds' signature lyrical style, well... "Do It Anyway" I must have heard as a preview or something, because it sounds familiar, and despite that familiarity, it's got a certain laxness about the chorus that I can't help but feel encapsulates my thoughts on the album overall. I do like the one about hearing beards and drawings dicks on the wall. 5/10
No Doubt- Push and Shove: Here's a return I was NOT waiting for. Their last album together was the disappointingly reggaepop Rocksteady, and I'm anticipating more of the same, which is to say, not ska. Yes, once again, "No Doubt" becomes a nostalgic smokescreen hiding yet another Gwen Stefani record, just your standard dancepop-rock with the occasional laconic bassline to tease at the faithful. The No Doubt I once knew and loved is dead, but I don't have to like it. 4.5/10
