Low Millions - "Ex-Girlfriends"
(Manhattan Records, 2004) *
Rob Thomas - "Something To Be"
(Warner, 2005) * * *
SAMPLE 1: Low Millions - "Diary"
SAMPLE 2: Low Millions - "Nikki Don't Stop"
One has to wonder what Leonard Cohen thinks of his son's first album. I had hoped to find something to enjoy in "Ex-Girlfriends," the Manhattan Records debut of Adam Cohen's "open relationship" of a band (his words, not mine). Instead, I was reminded why I used to follow a simple rule: don't buy the album unless you've heard more than one song.
Perhaps Adam took a page out of the Five For Fighting songbook, and thought fans would forgive him for focusing too much on the hooks and not enough on the lyrics. As the album progresses, we spiral into the mind of Cohen as he spews out (in dark paranoid bursts) his entire sordid relationship history. On "Diary," he sings: "I used a screwdriver, I couldn't find the key ... I had to know your secrets, the thoughts you keep from me. I read how you resent me and even dreamed that I was dead. You said you thought that I'd look stunning with a bullet in my head!" The song itself sounds catchy, but it doesn't work on repeat listens. Rather, Cohen's writing comes off as self-indulgent voyeuristic sludge.
By the end of the album, I wished I hadn't wasted $15 on it. Listening to the album's closing track "Nikki Don't Stop" (on which Cohen sings: "Hotter than a stolen Rolex, hotter than late night phone sex, hotter than the back seat of a black jeep on a back street ... oh, Nikki don't stop!") sums up the entire listening experience. I felt like I needed to perform an enema on my brain. Don't waste your time on this one, folks.
SAMPLE 1: Rob Thomas - "Lonely No More"
SAMPLE 2: Rob Thomas - "Problem Girl"
SAMPLE 3: Rob Thomas - "All That I Am"
Say what you want about him, Rob Thomas is going to be remembered as one of this decade's best pop songsmiths. Thomas has reinvigorated the pop-culture status of the songwriter since penning the song "Smooth" forSantana. Now on his solo debut he has crafted an album that shows even the most reluctant critics that he has amazing songwriting talent. Like Lennon and McCartney before him, he has that grasp of exactly what makes a catchy song that people will remember. The problem is that many of the songs, including "Ever The Same" and "Problem Girl" are a bit too much like Matchbox 20 for comfort, begging a listener to answer the question: is there ever too much of a good thing? Regardless, Something To Be is an album that continues to showcase Thomas's ability to craft the perfect pop hook, and for that reason alone this album is worth a listen. Still, if Thomas lives up to his recent pledge to have a Matchbox 20 record ready by spring 2006, he may learn what pop overkill really means.
This is the last week of the semester in which 72 Hours will run. But do not fear! I will continue reviewing music, both local and otherwise, at this location throughout the summer months. If you'd like to have your band featured, email mailto:emailjonathansanders@justice.com and I'll tell you where to find me. The good thing will be that since I won't be publishing in the DN during the summer, I'll have no deadlines. Which means if you get me something and it blows my mind, the world can read about it as fast as I can publish it ;)
Next week: Read my review of Anna Nalick's debut album "Wreck of the Day" as well as a critique of the local band Clovertoad's self-titled EP!
SAMPLE 1: Low Millions - "Diary"
SAMPLE 2: Low Millions - "Nikki Don't Stop"
One has to wonder what Leonard Cohen thinks of his son's first album. I had hoped to find something to enjoy in "Ex-Girlfriends," the Manhattan Records debut of Adam Cohen's "open relationship" of a band (his words, not mine). Instead, I was reminded why I used to follow a simple rule: don't buy the album unless you've heard more than one song.
Perhaps Adam took a page out of the Five For Fighting songbook, and thought fans would forgive him for focusing too much on the hooks and not enough on the lyrics. As the album progresses, we spiral into the mind of Cohen as he spews out (in dark paranoid bursts) his entire sordid relationship history. On "Diary," he sings: "I used a screwdriver, I couldn't find the key ... I had to know your secrets, the thoughts you keep from me. I read how you resent me and even dreamed that I was dead. You said you thought that I'd look stunning with a bullet in my head!" The song itself sounds catchy, but it doesn't work on repeat listens. Rather, Cohen's writing comes off as self-indulgent voyeuristic sludge.
By the end of the album, I wished I hadn't wasted $15 on it. Listening to the album's closing track "Nikki Don't Stop" (on which Cohen sings: "Hotter than a stolen Rolex, hotter than late night phone sex, hotter than the back seat of a black jeep on a back street ... oh, Nikki don't stop!") sums up the entire listening experience. I felt like I needed to perform an enema on my brain. Don't waste your time on this one, folks.
SAMPLE 1: Rob Thomas - "Lonely No More"
SAMPLE 2: Rob Thomas - "Problem Girl"
SAMPLE 3: Rob Thomas - "All That I Am"
Say what you want about him, Rob Thomas is going to be remembered as one of this decade's best pop songsmiths. Thomas has reinvigorated the pop-culture status of the songwriter since penning the song "Smooth" forSantana. Now on his solo debut he has crafted an album that shows even the most reluctant critics that he has amazing songwriting talent. Like Lennon and McCartney before him, he has that grasp of exactly what makes a catchy song that people will remember. The problem is that many of the songs, including "Ever The Same" and "Problem Girl" are a bit too much like Matchbox 20 for comfort, begging a listener to answer the question: is there ever too much of a good thing? Regardless, Something To Be is an album that continues to showcase Thomas's ability to craft the perfect pop hook, and for that reason alone this album is worth a listen. Still, if Thomas lives up to his recent pledge to have a Matchbox 20 record ready by spring 2006, he may learn what pop overkill really means.
This is the last week of the semester in which 72 Hours will run. But do not fear! I will continue reviewing music, both local and otherwise, at this location throughout the summer months. If you'd like to have your band featured, email mailto:emailjonathansanders@justice.com and I'll tell you where to find me. The good thing will be that since I won't be publishing in the DN during the summer, I'll have no deadlines. Which means if you get me something and it blows my mind, the world can read about it as fast as I can publish it ;)
Next week: Read my review of Anna Nalick's debut album "Wreck of the Day" as well as a critique of the local band Clovertoad's self-titled EP!
posted by Jonathan Sanders @ 2:25 PM
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