First impressions – Sounds like this is actually going to be a well crafted album. The production values are good and they sounds truly invested in the quality of the work. The first couple of songs are great, they make you chuckle and are actually very very musical. The dynamics change very rapidly on this album. From ballads to  early 90′s hip hop sounds.

One thing I wonder when listening to spoof music or music with a sense of humour is – Why are the “serious” artists not this creative or unique with their music. Often it is the same continuous repetitive “been done before and probably better” that never really occurs on comedic work. I also wonder where the sense of fun has gone in mainstream music. I listen to this and think, I could hear this on the radio more than once and not get sick of it. Whereas everything on the radio sounds like formulaic music composed by a computer specifically designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator, not have any real impact and fade from memory without a trace so we will immediately absorb the next incarnation of what is essentially the same song.

Further Listening - This album has a distinct hip hop sound, specifically lat 90′s early 00′s. Whilst it is cleverly composed and fun to listen to, I think it would be much better received if it was closer to the sounds of todays current market of over saturated composition and vocal techniques with more repetitive pop/electro style. In saying this, the lyrical content is clever and causes a proper chuckle every now and then. The specific sound is quite funny to me because I was subjected to this kind of RnB the first time around but younger people might not get it. Nor the people who mostly listen to radio and don’t remember what came before. Of course perhaps these people are not the target audience for this album.

Conclusion – A great album, unfortunately it just sounds too dated to be successful to me. Comedy is topical, if your behind the times then it’s a little hard to be at the forefront of the industry. This album seems to be taking the mickey out of the likes of Craig David and Usher. Artists that aren’t really mainstream today. No songs really stand out all that much, including the title track. It is a polished effort and worth a listen. You can hear the limitations due to what I imagine would be budget issues. It would be good to hear this kind of creative thinking in the mainstream.

6/10
JJ

Cover – Well they were never really noted for big fancy covers. It suits them, and I hope they much like me, haven’t grown up too much.

First impression – Sounds amazing! The production and mix has finally caught up to the sound. Lyrics about being a successful band and taking the piss out of dance music. I am going to love this album. “I can’t wait to hear the remix” I love this, If this lyric alone prevents just one dj from mixing a song an releasing it then these guys have done a lot for music.

2nd track and here are the riffs and cool pop punk style. Back to immature clever lyrical content that makes you chuckle. 3rd track is titles My Wena, it’s about a girl of course and is really worth listening to. Sounds like we’re keeping the old formula, fun pop punk rock. This album doesn’t sound like it’s going to change the world and it doesn’t have any pretensions. These guys obviously know their target audience and cater to it. They have hit the bulls-eye and I am only 3 tracks in.

Further Thoughts – Musically they haven’t raised the bar on simple punk riffs and melodies. As usual the vocals are carefully constructed, the rhythms are fast paced and the songs are catchy. The production of the music is considerable better now. The mix is a little clearer and there are a few more magical studio techniques dropped in for those who appreciate it. The record has a good mix of tongue in cheek sarcasm and witticism that makes these guys really stand out from the formulaic pop punk market. This is already my favourite Bowling for Soup album. It’s just more of the same, exactly what you want from this band.

Final Thoughts – “We fart and burp in the same key” Fast. Angry. Funny.  The songs actually cater to old and new fans with content about looking back, being grown up and still feeling young whilst not alienating new fans from the music. Solid production and crystal pop tone makes this album great to sit back and listen to. If you like pop punk then get this record ASAP.

Five stars guys. Album is fantastic.

JJ

First Impression – Ok they’re opening with a ballad… I don’t know if this is the best choice for them. I wanted grunge. I really wanted grunge. This sounds almost country. Maybe they get back into it soon. The second track intro isn’t doing much for me either. I think these guys may well be past it. This sounds like they are taking standard pop tracks and trying to rock it up. The production and mix is really off for a band like this.

On further listening - Is it me or did grunge really die last decade. It doesn’t seem possible to write any new good grunge material. This is reminding of listening to Metallica’s last two offerings and the Axle Rose album Chinese Democracy that shouldn’t have been called GnR. I don’t feel or believe this album. The album doesn’t impress me until well into the later tracks with “A looking in view” still, it sounds like grunge wanting to be metal. The vocals really don’t carry the song and it feels like the energy dies after the intro.

When the Sun Rose Again – Ok, this is a great acoustic track. It doesn’t belong on this album but it’s good nonetheless.

track 8@2:45 minutes in – This is where the album should have started. This sounds like grunge, is powerful enough and fresh enough to be new and doesn’t make it feel like these guys have gotten old. Pity it seems like it only lasts about a minute then its gone.

Final Thoughts – So this album isn’t all bad. It’s just a let down to someone who really liked Alice In Chains. Maybe I have changed and the music is still the same but this just didn’t do anything for me. There are a couple of good “bits” amongst a lot of tired over done grunge pattern written music. The album also ends really weakly. It is just suddenly kind of over. Production has really let this album down. This album could and should have been so much more.

4/10

jj

Cover art – Didn’t do much for me. This isn’t the 80′s.

2/5

Track 1 Don’t Phunk Around- A remix of Don’t Phunk with My Heart… Hmmm ok… Give it a minute and hey it works. It really works. This sounds great, a new racial stereotypical bass line makes the song that much more authentic. A great rehash of a great song.

Track 2 Boom Boom Pow - I like the minimalist mix, it really works FOR ME. However  I don’t see this song being a hit, I really wouldn’t have opened the album with this track either. It does sound cool. A little too long.

Track 3 Rock That Body – Oh… no… no… This isn’t great. I think this song will do well. Too well. I will be hearing this song many many times. It’s too long and too confusing, the beat and melody changes repeatedly.

Track 4 Meet Me Halfway – I am starting to think this album is way over produced (even for a BEP album.) The vocal tricks used are really frustrating to listen to. It detracts from what is a well put together song. This song could very easily be another hit. Really simply hook line and the theme is pretty much universal.

5 Imma Be – This is back to the classic Black Eyed Peas sound we’re used to. This track is the first track on the album for me. Really great rhythms and melodies. Fergie is on the money on this track. The whole song is well constructed. “imma be a upgraded new negero.” *Shakes head* These lyrics are awesome. Great song!

6 I gotta feeling – This song starts really well. The intro alone will make this song very successful on the radio. I wonder if anyone including me will ever actually check to see if I am right about this stuff? Oh by the way, this is the single now that its into the song. Yes its a really really really good song. I already know it from hearing it and I’m not sick of it. Beautiful simple lyrics and awesome melodies.

7 Alive – This song isn’t as strong as the album has been so far. It picks up when Fergie gets on top of the lyrical content. Now we have some rhythm and feel to the song. Great song if it weren’t for that slow intro.

8 Missing You – This track… if you like the Black Eyes Peas you will probably like this track but it’s not fantastic.

9 Ring a Ling – This track should have been left off the album.

10 Party All the Time – Ok this is a great track. I am glad we’re past the filler songs of the album before I wrap this up. This song is very odd, the lyrical context compared to the melancholic melody and staggered rhythms work really well. The song changes it up enough to keep it sounding fresh all the way through.

Final Thoughts – It’s another Black Eyed Peas album. Not as great as previous efforts from them. I feel with new technology coming out everyday it would be possible for more fresh new material. The remix side is probably cool. I’ll leave the rest up to you.

7/10

jj

A last thought, there are some really great tracks on the rest of this album. Definitely worth a listen.

Cover art – Oh look, it’s three scene guys who are trying very very hard not to look emo. They have failed, but they tried so it counts. I am expecting this to be very poppy, either in the hardcore of pop punk genre. If it surprises me in any way I will be very satisfied.

Score 2/5 it’s a decent photo at least. Professionally done.

First Impression/ Track 1 – Ha ha they’re an electro punk band (This doesn’t continue throughout the whole album) I feel I am not giving them full credit because I am listening to them on cheap headphones. I feel like I probably can’t hear everything they intended for me to hear.  Besides that its a happy sound, not as emotionally jagged as I would have expected. The do sound VERY over produced.

2/5

Further Listening -  Usually I only review bands I really like on albums I have really been waiting for and they get a track by track listing. These guys don’t deserve that. The music is really well produced, its a sharp album and I have actually had a good time listening to it. There is a chance it will end before the review does. The first couple of songs were electro pop tunes but gladly for me this ended. I don’ have anything against this kind of music. It is just poorly/over done. The rest of the album actually sounds like late 90′s early 00′s pop punk rock. With some of the riffs and melodies clearly borrowed from Blink 182. (Blink were better)

4/5 overall it is actually really well structured and produced. It doesn’t get boring.

In conclusion – Lyrically there are some clever lines but it is very shallow, exactly what you would expect from this album. From the cover, these guys try to hard in image and production for the sound produced. They are reminiscent of an old punk outfit but I think they care wayyyy to much. The intended audience for this album is obviously younger teens and they have hit the mark for appeal. Best of luck to the boys from Short Stack. I was surprised after listening that they have several albums and a longer history then I expected.

JJ

JJ