Yeah, My Mom LOVES The Cure

You heard right friends, The Dear Hunter, City And Colour, and Owl City have all released new albums recently. I have acquired so much music lately, sifting through it has been the most pleasant of chores. One gem in particular is The Cure’s Album Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. My mother has some old pictures of her showing off her The Cure shirt and makeup to boot. Now she can’t get distressed at me for donning my extreme black eyeliner and skull-baton when I join The Black Parade! I have reviewed, for your reading pleasure, the three most recent albums from my favorite bands.

 Sadly, Owl City has once more ruined my teenage illusion of dreamy electro pop. Why can’t all the albums sound like Maybe I’m Dreaming and Of June? The latest discharge: All Things Bright And Beautiful made me yawn, (that’s why it’s on my sleep playlist.) Adam, you must be joking with me, “Alligator Skies?” “Sugar-maple wings?” “Reality is a wonderful place, but I wouldn’t wanna live there?” Yeah, I wouldn’t wanna live in reality either if all my fans were now between the ages of 5-14.3. I liked his music better before he knew what he was singing about; it was a lot more surreal.  He released an EP and a full length before he even went on a tour, before he even physically said “Hello Seattle”.  I now listen to Owl City only to look for subliminal messages. There are a few: “I’ve tasted honey, but I’ve never seen the hive” yeah I bet you haven’t seen “the hive” Breanne Duren! “I’d rather swim with great white sharks than wade in romance?!” “Dip your toes in the galaxy, because it’s your to explore tonight” huh. Sounds sexy, Adam Young.  Regardless of what he is singing now, it’s how is he singing it. His voice is completely different, and his vocabulary is substandard. Not to mention it’s much more theatrical and dramatic. All Things Bright And Beautiful in one word: predictable. It’s a huge production to make up for what the lyrics lack, if you will. If Dreams really Don’t Turn To Dust, then hopefully my dream of old Owl City will come true.  Next time I see him and the gang in July, I’ll let him know of my wishes, I’ll whisper them in his ear like he’s Santa Clause. He might as well be, I mean, he’s a magical mystery.

At least The Dear Hunter had something new to offer, and in the best way possible. I mean, The Color Spectrum is definitely no Battesimo del Fuoco, but I can feel the folksy-Italian vibe in the intro of "She’s Always Singing" and the old-school country twang and guest vocals in "Things That Hide Away." I think more people need to ask, "Why? Why? Why?" This album isn’t named Act IV: The Color Spectrum for a reason, Casey Cresezo has really outdone himself this album. Every song is inspired by a color of the spectrum; not only was it an enjoyable listen trying to guess which is which, but that’s what makes every song on this album unique. Each song shares the same theme, but at the same time don’t coincide. It’s an awesome paradox. My favorite song will always be Red Hands from Act II: The Meaning, And All Things Regarding Ms. Leading. A local band covered it recently, and… ahhhhhh it just flipped my pancake! On one hand, I quite enjoyed the songs about civil war soldiers and dissembling prostitutes who need to "take off your sweater, your shoes, and your shirt and get to work". The Color Spectrum in one word: modern. This can be looked at in a bad way as well as good. The vintage vibe was what I originally admired about The Dear Hunter, and this album is a big production like the others, but in another way. With electro vibes and Americana rock roots instead of ethereal, eerie violins and choir vocals, The Color Spectrum is worth your buck if you’re a fan looking for different subject matter and progress as a band. If you’re a new fan, pick it up, but don’t be surprised if this album sounds nothing like the others.

Little Hell, the most recent stroke of genius from City And Colour received a "hell yeah." It’s about time Dallas Green had graced my ears with something new from his acoustic guitar, and electric guitar, and drums? What? The full band sound is a new thing to come from City And Colour, and I like it. Not expected at first, it works. Some tracks like Silver And Gold, Sorrowing Man, and Natural Disaster cross the line in the sand between folk and country. I can pick out instruments like an organ and cello, but I miss the banjo-like tone from the second album Bring Me Your Love. Fragile Bird throws me off completely with the bass and drums and electric guitar. It’s a great song, but not coming from City And Colour. At least his falsetto coos and soft lyrics are still the same. Little Hell in one word: Americana. Which is kind of sad, because Canadian Acoustic is a genre worthy of recognition, and City And Colour did it right. Northern Star and We Found Each Other In The Dark are most reminiscent of his previous work. Dallas does love songs best, and this album is titled Little Hell. Do I sense some heart break? Not enough of it, because only a few tracks are apparent love songs. If Dallas were to continue in this new direction, I wouldn’t discourage it because his old songs would be nostalgic of the good times. Evolution and experimentation are keynotes throughout the album, and I recommend it to any City And Colour Fan.