On the pop side of glam rock, they do indulge in a more biting dynamic upon occasion, but their strength seems to be leaning into this 80s-drenched sound that marries Pat Benatar and Cyndi Lauper. Music is not created in a vacuum, so the title track that opens the album is darker andd with some Ghost-like aspirations in how it's mixed and the overall vibe to some extent, as it feels like a late 60 hippie-garage for of spooky like Coven or Shocking Blue. Then they rock out harder for "Nothing Ever Changes' which is less hook-focused, so not as effective.
Things begin to find their groove with a touch of anthemic 80s arena rock, heavier on the hairspray than the metal for "Chantilly Boy". They also display a very taunt songwriting hook and let the vocal take on more introspection on "Cold Silver." The beat picks up on 'Forever Mine,' which tries a little too hard. "Hello Goodbye" is more like 90s dream pop. The vocals create more of a backbone. "Tokyo" digs more into the new wave side of the 80s. The chorus works really well, reminding me of the Bangles.
"Saturday" does not veer from the formula they have in place, and it is hard to argue against it as it works here." Summon My Heart" finds her voice taking on a Stevie Nicks-like tremble, which, given a more epic arena setting, is not unlike the 80s era Heart. They nail this sound and have it convincingly dialed in, which is coming from someone who remembers when this sort of thing wa a more dominant force on the airwaves. Things drop back to the more tense, emotive brand of 80s power ballads on " Somebody Else," that really when this crossed over with the evolution of new wave.
They end the album with a cover of Bad Religion's "21st Century" , and make the msot of what they do with it even if it is an odd choice. I like what goes down here and think they are talented songwriters who have captured an era intact and make it there own, so I will give this album a 9.5, and see how it grows on me.
No comments:
Post a Comment