Switchfoot - Fading West
The album opens with Love Alone Is Worth The Fight. A song that is not bad enough to skip. The second track begins with a lone voice and interesting rhythm. Who We Are is a crisp, uplifting pop ballad. Don't let the counting fool you, this song is in 4/4.
When We Come Alive is a little bit Third Eye Blind and A little bit Imagine Dragons. I stayed with this one until Say It Like You Mean It which kicks in with a truly refreshing groove and production. I would have preferred to hear a whole track that sounded more like the intro to The World You Want rather than the meditative pop anthem that followed.
Ba55 really breaks out and makes the wait worth it with more of that really nice grimy production. A smooth, pulsing intro slowly builds to an emotional vocal and instrumental climax without breaking the bubble. From there, the whole thing kind of limps through the next few songs, finally reaching Back To The Beginning Again which carries the listener through with a familiar 90's power pop sound. There is a lot of derivative pop melodies and production on this record but overall I got the feeling that Switchfoot was trying to push past a personal, artistic boundary. The best songs sound genuine and fought for. The worst sound like Justin Bieber songs done in a slightly gruffer sounding voice.
#55
Markus Shulz - Scream 2
Trance Music. Yes. A Trance album made the chart. Don't ask me how. If you can't handle the stereotypical synths and changes that come with this kind of music, then don't even bother. However, I listened to quite a few of these types of albums and this one has a depth that few dare to cover. There is an emotional and cinematic quality to these tracks that is belied by the boom-chick-boom-chick club production. If you like Trance or don't mind it, Scream 2 is worth your time.
#54
Girl's Generation - Mister, Mister
One of the biggest surprises of this whole thing was finding out that I actually enjoy Korean Girl-Bands. Not in a sarcastic, ironic kind of away either. I actually get an authentic endorphin hit from this music. Weird, I know. Let this be an example of my extreme honesty in this project.
The title track, Mister Mister starts off with a hard hitting distorted bass groove that really got my attention. The singing is superb and the modulations at the end of the song give me goosebumps.
While some of the production sounds a little like R&B covered in cheese, there are quite a few redeeming qualities. The Beach Boys sounding intro to Wait A Minute that transitions into a kik-driven pop tune with a wonderful melody and delicious hooks. The only weak track is the penultimate Back Hug which is balanced out by the extremely well arranged Soul.
I am curious as to whether and readers of this blog who do not listen to this kind of music will also find themselves falling in love it as well.
Listen to Mister Mister and Soul on Youtube
This is the not the only Korean Girl Band on the chart, either. Stay tuned!
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