The Higher – It’s Only Natural
Record Label: Epitaph Records
Release Date: June 23, 2009
I’ve got no surprises for you here. Creative attempts at explaining my disgust for It’s Only Natural ended in overwhelming failure.
I almost feel obligated to applaud The Higher’s aspirations of becoming the biggest Boy Band in the world since my tastes tend to match the band’s pop attitude: Jesse McCartney is a personal hero. Underdog Alma Mater and Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop receive regular spins. I even enjoy assaulting underage girls just as much as the next Jack Barakat. So forgive the lazy idiocy in a statement like, “The Higher suck because they make bad music.” But basically that’s all I have. Stop reading if you’re busy, there are no decent jokes in the ensuing paragraphs.
Sure, pasty-white-guy Seth Trotter’s scratchy voice lacks any and all Robin Thicke sexiness. And yes, Duug Fresh’s percussion is nowhere near as dynamic as the hip-hop gods he worships. Sadly those are but two of the many problems keeping It’s Only Natural on a peg much lower than the Star Is Dead EP or even Histronics. I’m glad I brought those albums up (I rule!), though, because it’s important to note that this isn’t that band anymore. I hesitate to call The Higher’s new electronic route a cash grab, and I also think the band’s transparency is endearing. (The press release even states, “If Justin Timberlake were a band, he’d be The Higher.”)
Bands evolve and change all the time. It’s just unfortunate that The Higher settled upon a genre in which they have no hope of success. In fact, I am still struggling to find the “R&B” influences on It’s Only Natural. Mostly I just hear simplistic pop-rock (“Burn And Turn”), strange nods to old Panic! At The Disco (the second half of “Scandalous”) and a by-the-numbers cover (Ne-Yo’s “Closer” inexplicably ends the album). Or maybe it’s not so “inexplicable” that It’s Only Natural ends with a cover, because the album’s horrifying lack of creativity might point to The Higher’s next reincarnation: Karaoke All Stars. I can picture it now: For the measly sum of 10 dollars you can hear Seth Trotter and Jason Centeno whiteguyatize “Bonnie & Clyde 2004.” Want to hear “Coconut” By Harry Nilsson? Hope you like it with synthesizers!
It appears ex-guitarist Tom Oakes left just in time. His new project, More Amor, is what The Higher wish to become: a pleasant mixture of pop music and electronica. The Higher should ditch the traditional rock instruments altogether if they’re going to take this path any further; “Try Again” is a boring AAR ripoff and “It’s Only Natural” was clearly written by a half-asleep Maroon 5. The Higher have lost the emotion that initially drew people to them. Instead there are 12 futile attempts at Top-40 fodder littered throughout It’s Only Natural. Perhaps taking the last soul-crushing step is necessary: hire Estelle and let her write the band a song about supa fly shoes (or something, whatever). The Higher’s synthesizer IQ just isn’t good enough to hit it big in our current musical market. “Story Of A Man Obsessed” uses annoyingly ringtone-esque blips and “Play With Fire” is trance for toddlers. Maybe the band will figure itself out, but self-reflection time is quickly running out. Pop radio is not a medium willing to overlook age. Talent? Maybe. But age? No way.
Recommended If You Like: More Amor, Cartel + a DJ, false optimism, Panic! At The Timberlake, days without sun
Good review. I've yet to catch the album (did it stream?), so it looks like I'll be in for a disappointment. But who knows. Again, great review, Blake. I may alone, but I found humor in the "ensuing paragraphs". Again, good stuff, dude.
Good review. I've yet to catch the album (did it stream?), so it looks like I'll be in for a disappointment. But who knows. Again, great review, Blake. I may alone, but I found humor in the "ensuing paragraphs". Again, good stuff, dude.
no but it did leak. you'll be able to find it a bunch of places on the internet,
Agree with everything you say. I would even give it a lower score than 32. With this release and the few songs release from ATL new record, I think I'm actually beginning to loathe pop music
That's really too bad. I enjoyed some songs off their first two CD's but haven't listened to them in a while. After this review I'll be sure to stick to the old (kinda) faves
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