Klatzke
02/22/09, 09:49 PM
School Boy Humor - School Boy Humor
Record Label: Vagrant Records
Release Date: February 24, 2009
There are very few bands in this scene that deserve any kind of acclaim. Forever the Sickest Kids and their like paved the way for the bustling followers waiting to capitalize, and now the scene is completely overrun by a thousand sound-alike bands whose only goal seems to be gaining a shred of notoriety. This argument has been run over, and over, and over to no real avail. Instead of focusing on a pointless argument to an even more pointless problem, I've chosen to enjoy those bands that actually rise above the thrall of the bountiful and nameless pop trend. Anyone has the right to ask me what it is that makes School Boy Humor an exception to the rest of these bands, and I really don't have a response. The only thing that really justifies my thinking is that their self-titled album is easily one of the catchiest albums I've ever heard in my seventeen years of existence, and when this genre is done right, I think it deserves commending.
Without their fortunate signing to Vagrant, School Boy Humor may have completely evaded me. Luckily for me (and them) their signing threw them into the spotlight. Vagrant, known for their much more prolific acts (From Autumn to Ashes; Alexisonfire), surprised quite a few people by signing these hopefuls. It really would be an understatement to call School Boy Humor generic, and I think they are probably aware of that. It's in this case, however, that creativity is seeming a tad bit overrated.
It's hard for me not to love every song on this album. Each of them is catchy as hell, encompassing sweet, tongue-in-cheek verses and explosive choruses. The songs' vivacious nature just dares you not to sing along, and their lyrics (which can be fairly cheesy) beg for the same thing. Take the chorus of "Please Stand Up" as an example. Phil Evans' charming vocals beg to be sung along with while he asks "And if I call your name will you please stand up? Just drop everything - run straight to the front." This isn't a lone occurrence, and the entire album has this kind of confident, boyish charm that they seize in "Please Stand Up" among the other tracks. "Paint Me Envy" and "Camera Shy" both have to be mentioned, however, as they're quite possibly the two catchiest tracks I've ever heard. Starting out the album in sequence, they basically prep you for everything to come and hit hard straight out the door. The only real low point in the album is "This is Your Life," which drags its feet quite a bit from the start. "What If" makes up for it on the ballad front, however.
Despite the throwback album cover (man, that's tacky) and their generic image, School Boy Humor has released one of the most vivacious, charming, and catchy albums I've ever heard. They're going to catch flak for being a band in this genre, but if you're looking for one of them to listen to, I don't hesitate to say that School Boy Humor easily one of the best. Vagrant may have made a strange signing, but it surely was a smart one, and I don't doubt this band's ability to go far with the right audience. Oh, and I forgot to mention the special surprise at the end of the album, so you'll have to realize that one on your own.
Forever the Sickest Kids; Mayday Parade
myspace.com/schoolboyhumor (http://www.myspace.com/schoolboyhumor)
Record Label: Vagrant Records
Release Date: February 24, 2009
There are very few bands in this scene that deserve any kind of acclaim. Forever the Sickest Kids and their like paved the way for the bustling followers waiting to capitalize, and now the scene is completely overrun by a thousand sound-alike bands whose only goal seems to be gaining a shred of notoriety. This argument has been run over, and over, and over to no real avail. Instead of focusing on a pointless argument to an even more pointless problem, I've chosen to enjoy those bands that actually rise above the thrall of the bountiful and nameless pop trend. Anyone has the right to ask me what it is that makes School Boy Humor an exception to the rest of these bands, and I really don't have a response. The only thing that really justifies my thinking is that their self-titled album is easily one of the catchiest albums I've ever heard in my seventeen years of existence, and when this genre is done right, I think it deserves commending.
Without their fortunate signing to Vagrant, School Boy Humor may have completely evaded me. Luckily for me (and them) their signing threw them into the spotlight. Vagrant, known for their much more prolific acts (From Autumn to Ashes; Alexisonfire), surprised quite a few people by signing these hopefuls. It really would be an understatement to call School Boy Humor generic, and I think they are probably aware of that. It's in this case, however, that creativity is seeming a tad bit overrated.
It's hard for me not to love every song on this album. Each of them is catchy as hell, encompassing sweet, tongue-in-cheek verses and explosive choruses. The songs' vivacious nature just dares you not to sing along, and their lyrics (which can be fairly cheesy) beg for the same thing. Take the chorus of "Please Stand Up" as an example. Phil Evans' charming vocals beg to be sung along with while he asks "And if I call your name will you please stand up? Just drop everything - run straight to the front." This isn't a lone occurrence, and the entire album has this kind of confident, boyish charm that they seize in "Please Stand Up" among the other tracks. "Paint Me Envy" and "Camera Shy" both have to be mentioned, however, as they're quite possibly the two catchiest tracks I've ever heard. Starting out the album in sequence, they basically prep you for everything to come and hit hard straight out the door. The only real low point in the album is "This is Your Life," which drags its feet quite a bit from the start. "What If" makes up for it on the ballad front, however.
Despite the throwback album cover (man, that's tacky) and their generic image, School Boy Humor has released one of the most vivacious, charming, and catchy albums I've ever heard. They're going to catch flak for being a band in this genre, but if you're looking for one of them to listen to, I don't hesitate to say that School Boy Humor easily one of the best. Vagrant may have made a strange signing, but it surely was a smart one, and I don't doubt this band's ability to go far with the right audience. Oh, and I forgot to mention the special surprise at the end of the album, so you'll have to realize that one on your own.
Forever the Sickest Kids; Mayday Parade
myspace.com/schoolboyhumor (http://www.myspace.com/schoolboyhumor)