Broden Terry
05/21/09, 04:33 AM
Busted - A Present for Everyone
Record Label: Island
Release Date: September 17, 2003
It's difficult writing a music review for records that the reviewer deems to have particular and special importance, significance and nostalgia. Personal thoughts, feelings, emotions and memories complicate the writing process, often resulting in less accurate, slightly untrustworthy descriptions and opinions that are being portrayed throughout the review. Taking all of the above into careful consideration, I cautiously began reviewing what I admit and personally believe to be one of the better pop releases in recent memory, Busted's A Present For Everyone.
Consisting of James Bourne (guitar, vocals), Matt Willis (bass, guitar) and Charlie Simpson (guitar, keyboard, piano, vocals), Busted's biggest strengths are their infectiously catchy choruses, witty, yet slightly immature lyrics and the ability to keep the record sounding fresh with all three members providing equal amounts of vocal duty throughout the fifteen tracks provided. Executing these strengths to full effect are album openers "Air Hostess" and "Crashed The Wedding." Whilst not being overly unique, lyrically and vocally both tracks make an impression with what many would consider cringe-worthy lines such as "I messed my pants, when we flew over France" and "He's always hated me, cause I never got a J.O.B." This gives listeners their first encounter with Busted's somewhat hit-or-miss approach in regards to song writing. Second single, "Who's David" is an album highlight. Opening with Simpson's deep, gentle, almost whispered vocals before working itself into a finely crafted guitar-driven, singalong chorus that rapidly gains momentum with every note played and every word sung. "Falling For You" reels the listener in within the very first second with its addictive beat and tempo. The production is a highlight, and again, all three members showcase their vocal prowess. Lyrically however, this may be one of the bands weaker tracks with lines and lyrics such as "You showed up at my door, just like in a teen movie, I said are you whore, I paid to come and fuck me?" It is worth noting however, that measures have been taken to ensure that the record remains accessible and family friendly.
"Over Now" and "Meet You There" are the ballads of the record. They aim and succeed in mixing up the pace of the album, the latter only implementing the use of a piano and acoustic guitar behind both Simpson and Bourne's harmonic vocals. From an honest perspective, though, both songs can be largely uninspiring and lacking the bands usual drive and enthusiasm. Towards the latter end of the record, each member has their own song that they've individually created and performed lead vocals to. Willis' "Better Than This" maintains the overall theme and tone of the record by placing an emphasis on catchy choruses and memorable verses. Bourne's "Can't Break Thru" takes this same formula and expands upon it with exceptional vocal delivery. The biggest surprise however, is Simpsons' "Why," a diverse, honest and rockier number. Delicate guitar strums and Simpsons' confident, yet insecurely hushed vocals lead into a melodic and heartfelt opening verse. It soon explodes into a captivatingly moody chorus in which Simpson sings "It's such a selfless compromise, a self indulgent useless bunch of lies I never thought you would believe". "Why" is expertly written and is arguably the finest track vocally, lyrically and musically that A Present For Everyone has to offer.
With summer fast approaching for those who reside in the Northern Hemisphere, this obviously means that there's soon to be no shortage of pop releases that will be vying for your attention in the very near future. So why not make the decision to start your summer early? I'd recommend giving A Present For Everyone a listen because rarely has music ever been and sounded so fun. Who knows? This could well be the record that you look back on and remember your summer of 2009 by.
McFly; The Click Five; All Time Low; Fun, Catchy, Guitar Driven Pop
http://www.myspace.com/bustedofficial
Record Label: Island
Release Date: September 17, 2003
It's difficult writing a music review for records that the reviewer deems to have particular and special importance, significance and nostalgia. Personal thoughts, feelings, emotions and memories complicate the writing process, often resulting in less accurate, slightly untrustworthy descriptions and opinions that are being portrayed throughout the review. Taking all of the above into careful consideration, I cautiously began reviewing what I admit and personally believe to be one of the better pop releases in recent memory, Busted's A Present For Everyone.
Consisting of James Bourne (guitar, vocals), Matt Willis (bass, guitar) and Charlie Simpson (guitar, keyboard, piano, vocals), Busted's biggest strengths are their infectiously catchy choruses, witty, yet slightly immature lyrics and the ability to keep the record sounding fresh with all three members providing equal amounts of vocal duty throughout the fifteen tracks provided. Executing these strengths to full effect are album openers "Air Hostess" and "Crashed The Wedding." Whilst not being overly unique, lyrically and vocally both tracks make an impression with what many would consider cringe-worthy lines such as "I messed my pants, when we flew over France" and "He's always hated me, cause I never got a J.O.B." This gives listeners their first encounter with Busted's somewhat hit-or-miss approach in regards to song writing. Second single, "Who's David" is an album highlight. Opening with Simpson's deep, gentle, almost whispered vocals before working itself into a finely crafted guitar-driven, singalong chorus that rapidly gains momentum with every note played and every word sung. "Falling For You" reels the listener in within the very first second with its addictive beat and tempo. The production is a highlight, and again, all three members showcase their vocal prowess. Lyrically however, this may be one of the bands weaker tracks with lines and lyrics such as "You showed up at my door, just like in a teen movie, I said are you whore, I paid to come and fuck me?" It is worth noting however, that measures have been taken to ensure that the record remains accessible and family friendly.
"Over Now" and "Meet You There" are the ballads of the record. They aim and succeed in mixing up the pace of the album, the latter only implementing the use of a piano and acoustic guitar behind both Simpson and Bourne's harmonic vocals. From an honest perspective, though, both songs can be largely uninspiring and lacking the bands usual drive and enthusiasm. Towards the latter end of the record, each member has their own song that they've individually created and performed lead vocals to. Willis' "Better Than This" maintains the overall theme and tone of the record by placing an emphasis on catchy choruses and memorable verses. Bourne's "Can't Break Thru" takes this same formula and expands upon it with exceptional vocal delivery. The biggest surprise however, is Simpsons' "Why," a diverse, honest and rockier number. Delicate guitar strums and Simpsons' confident, yet insecurely hushed vocals lead into a melodic and heartfelt opening verse. It soon explodes into a captivatingly moody chorus in which Simpson sings "It's such a selfless compromise, a self indulgent useless bunch of lies I never thought you would believe". "Why" is expertly written and is arguably the finest track vocally, lyrically and musically that A Present For Everyone has to offer.
With summer fast approaching for those who reside in the Northern Hemisphere, this obviously means that there's soon to be no shortage of pop releases that will be vying for your attention in the very near future. So why not make the decision to start your summer early? I'd recommend giving A Present For Everyone a listen because rarely has music ever been and sounded so fun. Who knows? This could well be the record that you look back on and remember your summer of 2009 by.
McFly; The Click Five; All Time Low; Fun, Catchy, Guitar Driven Pop
http://www.myspace.com/bustedofficial