The album opens with "Thank You." As it begins, there is a crackling sound, like an old record, and there is actually a point to that, which we pick up on the moment we hear the first lines. Those opening lines are funny. "Thank you/For always telling me what to do/I don't know what I'd do without you." The song then kicks in, bringing us to the present, and those lines are delivered again, now with a delicious pop flavor, with more power behind them. The repetition showing that things haven't changed much. What's wonderful is that the lines are delivered with a relatively sweet sound, which is probably what the person in question wants to hear, while the actual message is one that is the opposite. Ah, will the message come through? Let's hope so. Certainly we hear it. It doesn't hurt that the song has a great beat, and is a lot of fun, and features some really nice work on trumpet. This song also functions as a great introduction not only to the album, but to the band. "Thank you/For always telling me what to do/My little lady brain gets confused." There is another catchy rhythm on "Not Going Back," and some wonderful vocal work. It's interesting how cheerful the vocals sound on the lines "We're not going back/We're not going back." Sure, there might be some anger behind it, but we don't hear it. It's like anger is no longer necessary, and there is an undeniable power in that right there. I love the thought that joy will take people into a better future. It feels right, doesn't it? It seems possible to sing it into existence. "I don't wanna know/Whatever new normal is/I've already been there." This track features Barb Brynstad on bass.
"Gather" has a different vibe and sound from the start, beginning as it does with a bit of chatter. The horn has a different tone too. "As soon as I'm able/I'm dancing on a table/Let my hair hang down/Once we're out of danger/I'm hugging every stranger." Those lines are positive, but the mention of danger grabbed me, got me thinking of the sources of danger. This song features an excellent vocal performance, and a good, though brief, lead from Paul on the horn. That's followed by "Not Fun Anymore," a beautiful song featuring a passionate lead vocal performance and some great harmonies. "The words I didn't say/The things I didn't break/The times I didn't walk away." This is one of the album's highlights, a song I love more each time I hear it. "And now you run for the door/'Cause I'm not fun anymore." Then there is a serious tone to the vocals at the beginning of "Confetti." "Nobody can live your life for you/Don't wait around for some special day." And when it kicks in, this song becomes a wonderful and powerful number. "Throw your own, throw your own, throw your own confetti/Show the world how much you care." Fantastic! And it's totally catchy. You might be adding your own voice to theirs before long. "When you feel you're lost, don't throw it all away/'Cause there's still so much to celebrate today."
To go along with this album release, there was published a cool little "lyric zine," and in that, the next song is listed as "Backup Plan," while on the CD case it is "Back Up Plan." Whichever way it's written, this song begins with some pretty vocal work on its first couple of lines: "I never had a backup plan/Not gonna hitch my ride to a man." And then it kicks in, with attitude and confidence and truth, and it's glorious. "If you don't want me/Just as I am/Then what you think of me/Ain't worth a damn." It's an empowering celebration of self, and features some really nice guitar work and a delicious energy that you might have you jumping up from your chair. "I'm not wasting one more day/Trying to be perfect/Took me way too long to say/I am worth it." That's followed by "Shine." There is a kind of dance rhythm to this one as she sings, "It's time to shine/It's time to shine." When you take life into your own hands, it can become like a dance, a dance that you choreograph yourself. There is certainly that feeling here. And by the end, I see a whole crowd of folks dancing, lifting themselves up with their own voices. Absolutely wonderful! And then I completely fell in love with "Kissing Boys" at its first stanza: "I guess my soul was just too stubborn to be saved/I've always had a natural urge to misbehave/I came here looking for some truth nobody knows/So I'm just kissing boys and winning talent shows." How great are those lines? This band is something special.
"Over And Over" has a pretty sound at the beginning, gentle and sweet. "Chasing an echo of a whisper/The voice that read to me each night/Was part of you that first took flight/Been racing time to remember." This is a moving, touching and beautiful song. And I love the way the trumpet lifts us up. That's followed by "Getting Better," a pop gem, with energy in all the right places, like as she sings, "I know, I know, I know/That you can do it better/Don't need to wait around/For somebody to let ya." Yes, it's another empowering number. But folks need these songs. The world has gone sideways, and this country in particular has taken a dozen giant steps backward. The music might help us take a needed leap forward. The album concludes with "Favourite Girl," which puts the band on that list of groups who have songs sharing the band name, along with Bad Company, Broken Sound, Bullied By Strings, Double Naught Spy Car, I See Hawks In L.A., and Kanary, among many others. It begins with a good bass line, and then a solid beat on the drums. Soon it kicks in. "All we ever had is over/I don't wanna run for cover." There is a bit of a 1980s flavor to this one, in the vocal line. And then this album is over all too soon. I'm looking forward to the band's next release. And how about a national tour? The country needs this music.
CD Track List
- Thank You
- Not Going Back
- Gather
- Not Fun Anymore
- Confetti
- Back Up Plan
- Shine
- Kissing Boys
- Over And Over
- Getting Better
- Favourite Girl
Favourite Girl was released on April 10, 2026.
No comments:
Post a Comment