Wakey! Wakey! - Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You

[Gregory Robson]

Wakey! Wakey! - Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You
Record Label: Family Records
Release Date: Feb. 2, 2010

Who?
Wakey! Wakey! is the creative project of 20-something singer-songwriter Mike Grubbs, a Brooklyn resident who had performed in various bar bands and musical theater projects before forming this piano-based pop/rock collective. Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You is the band's first full-length album, following on the heels of the War Sweater EP. Aside from music, Grubbs also makes a living as an actor on the hit show "One Tree Hill."

How is it?
Phenomenal. No doubt about it, this may arguably be one of the year's best releases. As the piano-pop genre continues to deflate, Grubbs and company just might be the ones to save it. Bristling with surging rockers ("Almost Everything," and "1876") and sprite see-saw singalongs ("Square Peg Round Hole" and "Twenty Two"} Almost Everything possesses a passion and a panache that is rarely found these days. When he tackles the more serious stuff, there's a tenderness and a sensitivity in his songcraft that's far too hard to emulate.

An admitted romantic at heart, Grubbs is most captivating on the sweetly affecting "Dance So Good," a McCartney-esque composition that's placid, pristine and damn near flawless. Other standouts include the shimmering closer "Take it Like a Man," and the chilling "Car Crash." Backed by a palette of strings and horns, Almost Everything is a triumphant, forward-thinking and near perfect effort. With a disc this good, the piano-pop genre just might have its new hero.

1. Almost Everything
2. The Oh Song
3. Twenty-Two
4. Square Peg Round Hole
5. Dance so Good
6. 1876- The Brooklyn Theatre Fire
7. Feral Love
8. Got it All Wrong
9. Light Outside
10. Car Crash
11. Take it Like a Man

Parachute, Jack's Mannequin, Matt Nathanson, Maroon

Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/wakeywakey)
Website (http://www.wakeywakeymusic.com)

[zachff]

Never heard of these guys before but I'll give them a listen.

Short review, but to the point.

[Gregory Robson]

Never heard of these guys before but I'll give them a listen.

Short review, but to the point.
It was much much longer, but I decided to opt for brevity. I'll let the music speak for itself.

[inthemidst]

Piano-pop is dying? That sucks.

Great review, my friend. I will give the album a whirl.

[Gregory Robson]

Piano-pop is dying? That sucks.

Great review, my friend. I will give the album a whirl.
I don't think it's necessarily dying, it's just become derivative. I like The Fray and Snow Patrol and all, but I have to admit they do get far too analogous after awhile. At least Keane went somewhere different on their new record. That's what makes this disc so special. It takes a few chances and goes a few places most people wouldn't.

[Travis Parno]

excellent review, my friend. certainly less hyper-fanboy than i would've been. easily an early AOTY candidate in my book.

on that note, buy this record. now. seriously. do ittttttttttt

[inthemidst]

I don't think it's necessarily dying, it's just become derivative. I like The Fray and Snow Patrol and all, but I have to admit they do get far too analogous after awhile. At least Keane went somewhere different on their new record. That's what makes this disc so special. It takes a few chances and goes a few places most people wouldn't.
I have only recently gotten into this particular genre which is why I was surprised and saddened by the statement. I'm not a fan of The Fray. Can't help but find that the vocals are incredibly annoying. Snow Patrol's decent, and I love Coldplay (and I'm not gay haha). I like Keane also, but haven't had the chance to listen to their new record. Are you talking about Perfect Symmetry?

[inthemidst]

excellent review, my friend. certainly less hyper-fanboy than i would've been. easily an early AOTY candidate in my book.

on that note, buy this record. now. seriously. do ittttttttttt
Yes, sir. Right on it!

[narcoleptic953]

Downloaded this guys cover album a couple of years ago. His take on the Foo Fighters Everlong was fantastic. Will check this out.

[mybreakingpoint]

another great review that's convinced me to buy this album. i'm excited to hear it.

[SpyKi]

I really like how short and to the point this review is. It sounds a lot more positive than the score given though.

[HometownHero]

The name of this band prevented me from checking them out when I saw this disc come in our new releases box to put out at work. But seeing this review and the RIYL I will be now

[And Hours Pass]

Every time I see the reviews posted on AP I check for your name, and sure enough, you've delivered another great one. I will absolutely be checking this album out.

And to echo kidchino - I'm really not a fan of the name and that might have prevented me from what sounds like an otherwise phenominal record.

[Gregory Robson]

Every time I see the reviews posted on AP I check for your name, and sure enough, you've delivered another great one. I will absolutely be checking this album out.

And to echo kidchino - I'm really not a fan of the name and that might have prevented me from what sounds like an otherwise phenominal record.
Don't let the name mislead you. Just as an FYI, I did an interview with him, it's in the interview section. It might give you some more insight into his approach as a songwriter. Funnily enough the interview got cut off due to time constraints, but my one question was going to be about the name. I guess in due time I'll find out. Also, thanks so much for the kind words. Truly appreciate it. It's very humbling to hear such high praise. I am truly floored.

[mercedesbens]

Went and listened to the songs they have on their Myspace, and they are incredible! I need to get this album as soon as is humanly possible

[S9Dallasoz]

I NEED to hear this.

[Lloyd Christmas]

wow. i just listened to this and i have to say it's one of the best albums i've heard in awhile.

[Momo32T]

It was much much longer, but I decided to opt for brevity. I'll let the music speak for itself.
Ironic that you RILY Matt Nathanson and this guy has a song called Car Crash. That might be one of my favorite Matt Nathanson songs.

[adurna_isidar]

definitely digging this.

[crimsonsleeves]

it's in most targets now for 9.99 in the breaking artists section.

[OurLadyCoolbean]

I don't think it's necessarily dying, it's just become derivative. I like The Fray and Snow Patrol and all, but I have to admit they do get far too analogous after awhile. At least Keane went somewhere different on their new record. That's what makes this disc so special. It takes a few chances and goes a few places most people wouldn't.
Just because Snow Patrol has a keyboardist doesn't make them piano pop... Just my opinion.

[Clark]

The artist's name makes me think of the song "Faust Arp" by Radiohead. The opening lyrics are "Wakey, wakey. Rise and shine. It's on again, off again, on again..."

[Sarcasm]

Saw this on HypeM, really dig his music.

[narcoleptic953]

Enjoying this a lot. Thanks for the rec.

[narcoleptic953]

Though I'd rate the vocals higher...

[Gregory Robson]

Though I'd rate the vocals higher...
Yeah, I probably should have made them higher. They're pretty much pitch-perfect.

[DSaysHey]

i bought this when i read the review, and then also the War Sweater EP. so good, gorgeous musicianship, a wonderful addition to the collection especially as i've been listening to less guitar-led stuff recently

[TwelveTribes230]

I don't think it's necessarily dying, it's just become derivative. I like The Fray and Snow Patrol and all, but I have to admit they do get far too analogous after awhile. At least Keane went somewhere different on their new record. That's what makes this disc so special. It takes a few chances and goes a few places most people wouldn't.
Good review. Checked out his songs on Myspace and immediately got the cd on iTunes.

Some other good piano-rock bands worth checking out are: The midway state, Until June, Dikta, The Reign Of Kindo, and Lost Ocean

[Gregory Robson]

Good review. Checked out his songs on Myspace and immediately got the cd on iTunes.

Some other good piano-rock bands worth checking out are: The midway state, Until June, Dikta, The Reign Of Kindo, and Lost Ocean
Thanks for that. Never heard of Dikta or Lost Ocean, so thanks.

[TheHeretic]

This is pretty good. Oh, and please, people, check out Parachute Musical. Rarely hear anything about them, even though 'Everything is Working Out Fine in Some Town' is probably one of the catchiest albums I've ever heard and has some of the best pop vocals in quite a while.

[x13looDx]

will check this out

[Gregory Robson]

This is pretty good. Oh, and please, people, check out Parachute Musical. Rarely hear anything about them, even though 'Everything is Working Out Fine in Some Town' is probably one of the catchiest albums I've ever heard and has some of the best pop vocals in quite a while.
Yeahh. Parachute Musical is great. Just a terrible name.

[TheHeretic]

I really couldn't care less about the name in this case, it's just too damn good. Glad to hear you like them.

[Gregory Robson]

I really couldn't care less about the name in this case, it's just too damn good. Glad to hear you like them.
Exactly how I feel.

[tpnations]

Listening to it on Lala right now. I loved Everything in Transit by Jack's Mannequin but thought their next album was downright bad, so maybe this will be more to my liking.

[Rynaldo]

This is so much better than other piano influenced bands such as Keane and Coldplay

[yourbiggestflan]

i need to get this. i've been debating cuz it was on one tree hill, but the more i look into, they're pretty solid for what they pick...

(DISCLAIMER- i don't watch the show. i just hear people say "oh yeah, this was one on tree hill!". just wanted to clarify, heh)

[bencoles]

A real grower of a record.

[Zev Frazer]

Solid