Tony Pascarella
05/29/06, 02:14 PM
Logan Square - Pessimism & Satire
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Record Label: Fearless Records
Logan Square's Pessimism & Satire is the newest release from the wave of Chicago bands, which in the band’s press kit is referred to as the New Chicago Sound. With all of the recording artists coming out of the Midwest, Logan Square needs primarily to distinguish themselves from their Chi-town contemporaries. Previously known as 15 Minutes Late, after solidifying their lineup and new name, Logan Square went into the studio with Sean O’Keefe (who has produced records for Fall Out Boy, As Tall As Lions, and Spitalfield). They came out with this 11-song offering, titled Pessimism & Satire. Stylistically, it reminds this reviewer of such bands as The Ataris and the All-American Rejects.
“I Wish You Hell” is catchy, but lyrically it sounds like an emo kid’s temper tantrum and starts the album off on shaky ground. Heavy reverb on the chugging guitar riff comes off a bit clichéd, but don’t count Logan Square out just yet. “Fire and Kerosene” is a baby step upward. More technically varied than the opener, it just needs either more lyrics or less repetition of the chorus—it is catchy, but does get old after a while. In fact, the same holds true for the next song, “Last Kiss Goodnight.” For some reason, “Alley Cat” is one of my personal favorites on Pessimism & Satire. It still suffers from repetition syndrome, but the lyrics themselves are a little stronger. And hey, they use the word slattern. It can't be all bad. “Brilliant Lives” is the next noteworthy song, with Brad Chagdes sounding at times like a spot-on Tyson Ritter (of the All-American Rejects). This one is fully acoustic and really gives the listeners an idea what Logan Square can do if they put their minds to it. “When I Find You” was co written by Chagdes and Lucky Boys Confusion guitarist Adam Krier, who offers backing vocals on the song. This track is one of those infectious songs that when the year’s end comes around, you will remember. Equal parts piano jam and LBC-esque pop punk, this might be the best all-around track on the entire CD. “I’ll Get There” meanders back toward the pop-rock genre, dropping the piano melodies for extra guitar punch. Between “I’ll Get There” and the album’s finale, “I’m So Sorry,” Logan Square have turned in a solid Fearless debut.
Once Logan Square can eliminate the cliché-ridden parts of their songs, they have enough talent to be an industry buzz-band in a couple of years. As a group, they are almost there, and this album reflects that. They have released an offering of appealing pop punk that will earn a ton of fans—the built-in fan base of Chicago will not hurt them at all, either. If you are looking for deep, philosophical music, Pessimism & Satire won’t be your cup of tea. But if you like emotional pop-punk that just about anyone can identify with, then give Pessimism & Satire a try. Keep your eye on Logan Square in 2006 and beyond.
Buy Logan Square's Pessimism & Satire on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D148054890%2526id%253D148054885%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
01. I Wish You Hell
02. Misdirection
03. Fire and Kerosene
04. Last Kiss Goodnight
05. Alley Cat
06. Is This How You Feel?
07. Buried
08. Brilliant Lives
09. When I Find You (co written by Adam Krier of Lucky Boys Confusion)
10. I'll Get There
11. I'm So Sorry
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Record Label: Fearless Records
Logan Square's Pessimism & Satire is the newest release from the wave of Chicago bands, which in the band’s press kit is referred to as the New Chicago Sound. With all of the recording artists coming out of the Midwest, Logan Square needs primarily to distinguish themselves from their Chi-town contemporaries. Previously known as 15 Minutes Late, after solidifying their lineup and new name, Logan Square went into the studio with Sean O’Keefe (who has produced records for Fall Out Boy, As Tall As Lions, and Spitalfield). They came out with this 11-song offering, titled Pessimism & Satire. Stylistically, it reminds this reviewer of such bands as The Ataris and the All-American Rejects.
“I Wish You Hell” is catchy, but lyrically it sounds like an emo kid’s temper tantrum and starts the album off on shaky ground. Heavy reverb on the chugging guitar riff comes off a bit clichéd, but don’t count Logan Square out just yet. “Fire and Kerosene” is a baby step upward. More technically varied than the opener, it just needs either more lyrics or less repetition of the chorus—it is catchy, but does get old after a while. In fact, the same holds true for the next song, “Last Kiss Goodnight.” For some reason, “Alley Cat” is one of my personal favorites on Pessimism & Satire. It still suffers from repetition syndrome, but the lyrics themselves are a little stronger. And hey, they use the word slattern. It can't be all bad. “Brilliant Lives” is the next noteworthy song, with Brad Chagdes sounding at times like a spot-on Tyson Ritter (of the All-American Rejects). This one is fully acoustic and really gives the listeners an idea what Logan Square can do if they put their minds to it. “When I Find You” was co written by Chagdes and Lucky Boys Confusion guitarist Adam Krier, who offers backing vocals on the song. This track is one of those infectious songs that when the year’s end comes around, you will remember. Equal parts piano jam and LBC-esque pop punk, this might be the best all-around track on the entire CD. “I’ll Get There” meanders back toward the pop-rock genre, dropping the piano melodies for extra guitar punch. Between “I’ll Get There” and the album’s finale, “I’m So Sorry,” Logan Square have turned in a solid Fearless debut.
Once Logan Square can eliminate the cliché-ridden parts of their songs, they have enough talent to be an industry buzz-band in a couple of years. As a group, they are almost there, and this album reflects that. They have released an offering of appealing pop punk that will earn a ton of fans—the built-in fan base of Chicago will not hurt them at all, either. If you are looking for deep, philosophical music, Pessimism & Satire won’t be your cup of tea. But if you like emotional pop-punk that just about anyone can identify with, then give Pessimism & Satire a try. Keep your eye on Logan Square in 2006 and beyond.
Buy Logan Square's Pessimism & Satire on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D148054890%2526id%253D148054885%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
01. I Wish You Hell
02. Misdirection
03. Fire and Kerosene
04. Last Kiss Goodnight
05. Alley Cat
06. Is This How You Feel?
07. Buried
08. Brilliant Lives
09. When I Find You (co written by Adam Krier of Lucky Boys Confusion)
10. I'll Get There
11. I'm So Sorry