The Chainsmokers - Memories... Do Not Open

The Chainsmokers - Memories... Do Not Open (2017)

Genre: Electropop, Trap, Synth-pop, Tropical House

Infamous for being known as the duo to only be able to write "one song," I just had to give their debut a shot. Oh boy... As a reminder, I do not intend for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I do, I try to be objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the final grade.

When I'm listening to a record, I try to keep track of all the songs that stick with me, the ones I was especially fond of. Two songs into this record, I had already forgotten what the first one sounded like. This is literally how the entire thing played out for me. Upon finishing, I had no recollection of any songs. Everyone of them just seemed to bleed into each other, and so I now understand what people mean by The Chainsmokers only being capable of writing one song.

As a result, I can't even comment on individual tracks on here, because they're all pretty similar. If I had to comment on some positives, it would be that the female guest singers do liven up the record, just a tiny bit. The music itself is uninspired, all throughout. This duo seems to rely on very generic, basic piano chords that do nothing to spice up the tired four chord pop formula. And if the music itself is very basic and bland, I would at least expect some interesting lyrics, but there's none to be found here either. This is a collection of generic love/heartbreak songs that lend themselves well as modern radio muzak. 

Taggart does not have an unappealing voice by no means, but he's incredibly devoid of much charisma, and while the guests aren't really doing much to improve the quality of this record, I would have disliked this album much more than I already did if every song was sung purely by him. In conclusion, as I'm sure many have already made light of such a pun, do not open the contents of this album. This is generic, lazy songwriting that had no right to get much attention. While the music wasn't unpleasant, per se, it was certainly putting me to sleep. I wish I could flesh out this review some more, but there really isn't more to say when there's so little going on here.

D-

Favorite Tracks: The One, Wake Up Alone (If I had to pick)

Least Favorite Track: Pretty much all of them.

Harry Styles - Harry Styles

Harry Styles - Harry Styles (2017)

Genre: Pop Rock, Glam Rock, Hard Rock, Folk Pop

Harry Styles of One Direction fame, released his debut solo album in 2017, with some interesting results.  This album is being reviewed per request. As a reminder, I do not intend for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I will do, I try to be objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the final grade.

Most fans may agree that Harry Styles always seemed to have the most potential within One Direction, and this album has been a small step in proving that statement. I was already fully aware of his hit-single Sign of the Times before the release of this record. It's quite a beautiful piano-rock ballad. It gave me some optimism, as I expected that at least a couple of other tracks would be able to match it. I can't say that my expectations were exceeded, but I was still pleasantly surprised.

Harry has definitely matured in his songwriting since his One Direction days. Throughout the record you will notice lots of influences from 60's and 70's R&B and some funk sprinkled in. Carolina blew me away with its hypnotic bass groove and sultry guitar rhythms. Styles' vocal performance on the track is incredibly seductive and appropriately powerful as well, and it left me wanting more. Nothing on the album after that was able to match it, unfortunately. Only Angel and Kiwi seem to try and one up Carolina with its more hard rock style, but fall a bit short on creativity. If anything, they're still decent efforts and the only two worthwhile tracks on the second half of the record.

Sweet Creature seems to get a lot of attention from fans, but I personally thought it was pretty overrated. The song's finger-plucked riff sounds like it could have taken inspiration from The Beatles' Blackbird. It's tasteful, but a bit generic in my book. What really killed the momentum for me, were the last three tracks, which unfortunately, have the distinction of being the three worst tracks on the album. They're not bad, per se, but there was potential there to close off the album on a high note, and instead, Harry just let it simmer down for the last 13 minutes or so. 

Ironically, I personally feel that the strongest tracks on this record were the first three. Although I still did enjoy the songs in between, it's unfortunate that it had to dwindle down and lose its momentum as much as it did. With that said, Harry's debut definitely shows promise in his songwriting abilities and his ability to blend classic rock influences were for the most part, simple, but appreciated. I expect him to grow more and for a first try, it's pretty solid.

B

Favorite Tracks: Meet Me In The Hallway, Sign Of The Times, Carolina

Least Favorite Track: Ever Since New York

The Score - Atlas

The Score - Atlas (2017)

Genre: Pop Rock, Hard Rock, Indie Pop

Atlas is the debut studio album by the indie pop-rock duo The Score, released in 2017. I am reviewing this album by request. As a reminder, I do not intend for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I will do, I try to be objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the final grade.

I may not have a full appreciation for modern pop, but I do enjoy a good dosage of indie rock from time to time. That said, upon my first listen of this album, I didn't have such a strong impression. A second listen did allow me to pick out a couple of "gems" off this record, while still leaving the rest as below average, simple feel good music. Legend teased me near the beginning with some barebones sonic imitation of Led Zeppelin's heavy guitar driven riffs, and then it just went away. A real shame, as it had the potential to keep its momentum going and become my favorite track. Tightrope surprised me with Eddie's admirable performance, as unlike most of the other tracks, he sounds pretty "clean" and, admittedly a bit sultry. Strange on the other hand, is the other decent cut on the album which I praise for it's seemingly simple, but catchy syncopated vocal performance. Speaking of vocals though, I have to talk about the lyrics.

Look, I'm all for bold statements and intellectuality in music, but there's something about this record that screams, "SELF-CONCEITED!" The fact of the matter is that a lot of the lyrics clearly relate to grand ideals of fame, uniqueness and standing out. Most of it is the sort of happy-go-lucky songwriting you have come to expect from most of the tween friendly pop world of today. Normally, that's not a big deal, but I'd be lying if I said they don't feel blown out of proportion thanks to the saturated overproduction my ears experienced from listening to this album. I'm not blinding myself to the fact that at heart, this is a pop record, but there is a limit to how much overdubbing you can do before the music comes off as a bit pretentious, especially with the subject matter at hand.

  

From what I've gathered, the band's very own Edan Dover handled production work, and while I admire his efforts, some tracks could have fared better without some of the unnecessary overdubs and blown up production. One of the cleaner sounding songs on this record, Believe, has the unfortunate distinction of being one of my least favorite on the record. As Eddie sings on Revolution, "There's a revolution coming!" If this album is any indication of things to come, then they have some work to do before I'm willing to listen to their cause. Overall, it's a painfully standard feel good record in which some generic by-the-numbers compositions and questionable production choices hamper it from being an enjoyable debut. Fans of simple, modern pop rock may very well get a kick out of this, though, but I wouldn't really know.  

  

D

  

Favorite Tracks: Tightrope, Strange, Who Am I

  

Least Favorite Track: Only One