+44
By: Malcom.
First things first...DO NOT compare +44 with Angels & Airwaves. DO NOT listen to either album hoping that it will sound like Blink 182. There may be "pockets" of similar rifts and tempos that may remind you of Mark, Tom, & Travis' former band but, in the end, each album is unique and stands up on it's own two feet.
With that being said, let's get down to my review of +44. For me, this was one of those albums that the more I listened to it, the more it rewarded me. Being a HUGE Travis Barker fan, my first spin through the album was soley to listen to his amazing talent. He cranks out phenomenal bang-on-your-steering-wheel beats. His transition between the slower, soft beats to the harder, edgier ones are seamless. My second time through I was more focused on Mark. Although he may not be the best vocalist in the world, he makes up for it with his lyrics. Some of them catchy, many of them moving. I'm very tempted to say that this CD could be a "break up" album for someone. Alot of the lyrics are pretty powerful and moving as sung on such ballads as "Lillian", "Weatherman", and "No it Isn't".
I think that's what impressed me the most about this album: The variety of songs that are performed. They didn't try to come out and rip hard rock on every song. They incorporated the piano beautifully between, and sometimes with, the guitar riffs on such tracks as "Little Death", "Make You Smile", and my personal favorite: "Weatherman". Even the song "Make You Smile" (which features the vocals of Carol Heller) doesn't seem like it belongs on the album but, it ends up fitting in perfectly with the tone of the rest of the CD.
What +44 has done on this album is not groundbreaking by any means. All it is is just great musicians playing great music. Isn't that all we really want?
Recommendations:
"Blue And Yellow" - This song is a slow catchy song that front man Bert McCrakin wrote about his friendship with band member Quinn and how close they've became to each other and how even though sometimes quinn gets on his nerves he will always be best friends with him.
"Cliff Diving" - One of my favorite songs off the album, mixes a very alive tempo, with a well balanced ammount of emotion.
"Make You Smile" - (+44) was once a band of five, Carol Heller, who said to have backed out due to family issues, is featured in this song. By far the most emotional and lyrically smart song.
Other Suggestions: There is not one song off this entire album that I could pick for this spot. I would recommend the whole album.
