Never Shout Never- Harmony (Album Review)
Hey guys, so this is the first album review I'm posting on this blog; hope you guys like it. This one is the new album from Never Shout Never; it's called "Harmony". For those of you who don't know him, Never Shout Never is Christopher Drew, and the music is really happy, melodic folk pop with emo overtones.
Harmony is NSN's second album for the year, which in itself is really unusual. One would think this meant it suffered in quality, or was simply a cash-in. I'll say this right here; that is ABSOLUTELY not the case. Strangely enough, the album seems far more cohesive and complete an effort than his first LP, "What Is Love?"
Admittedly this album isn't for everyone. If you primarily listen to metal or heavier music, forget it and move on; this isn't your thing. If you're more of the artsy type that listens to free-form music, again, move on. If however, you're not adverse to a ridiculous amount of pop hooks and bright acoustic music, then you'll find plenty here to love. The album runs through eleven tracks and clocks in at under half an hour. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Most of the songs are so full of hooks that you'll be pressing the replay button a whole bunch of times.
The overall feel of the album has a different feel and vibe than the first record. This time around, there's a more prevalent folk vibe. I don't want to use the word "hillbilly" but that's the best I can come to the vibe; there's more use of instruments like harmonica and banjo this time around; yeah, it works. The album isn't a perfect effort but there are far more hits than misses here. Tracks such as "This S**t Gets Old", "First Dance" and "Piggy Bank" keep the energy level up and are full of melodic harmonies. Two misses for me were the songs "Trampoline" and "Sweet Perfection". I found those two were the weakest tracks on the album, and for some inexplicable reason the two were placed back to back, further showing up the weakness of the songs.
The lyrical content is much like Drew's usual efforts. His music is predominantly happy, feel good music. He mixes messages of love and peace with heartbreak and angst, in only the way that emo can. For what it is though, it works. In fact, in the album closer, "Sellout", Drew tackles the subject of his reputation amongst the underground as well as the music industry as a whole; it's a metaphorical fuck you that shows Drew is more than a one trick musician.
Bottom Line: So, in closing, if you're a fan of Never Shout Never I don't have to tell you to go out and get this album, you already have. If, on the other hand, you're new to the band and you're not adverse to hooky, melodic emo-pop then I would advise you to get this album. Despite the short length overall it's an album that is far more hit than miss and, if nothing else, will almost always succeed in pulling you out of a slump. That, my friends, is a win.
Album Rating: 4/5
N
Personally my top track on that album is "Sellout" because that is what he has been labeled. Because he shot straight to the top and MTV has overplayed his music and he's been a Hot Topic favourite he's been dubbed a sellout.
ReplyDeleteI myself think he is somewhat of a sellout but I'd still pay to see him concert.
Not to mention he is being honest with the song. Imagery is a HUGE part of the industry and the true artists never get the credits they're due.
Take One Republic's lead singer for example. Ryan, he has written some of the popular songs for some of the top artists and if he wasn't in a band no one would've known because the general public listens to the music and not the booklet that says who writes it.