Patent Pending - Save Each Other, The Whales Are Doing Fine
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Record Label: We Put Out Records
Before you get too far into this review, I should offer you a warning. Patent Pending bring the party with Save Each Other, The Whales Are Doing Fine, and if that makes you uncomfortable, take a step back and go geek out to The Mars Volta or something. There, now let us get down to business. The band has developed quite a following in the Long Island scene for their ska-punk tunes and penchant for not taking themselves seriously. Don’t believe me? Look no further than the middle of the album for “Cheer Up, Emo Kid.” A wandering bassline and the blazing guitar riff make this song an absolute blast as they poke fun somewhere along the lines of a hornless version of The Aquabats.
Frankly, this album is a well-needed dose of fun, but it is best described as musical junk food. Just like those generic-brand Cheetos you bought at the store last night around midnight, Patent Pending tastes great but doesn’t fill you up. I have listened to this album a number of times straight through, and it is definitely doable, but there are four or five songs that just fall flat. Following the ballsy power chords and sing-along melodies of “This Can’t Happen Again,” the drawn-out ambition of “Decemberween” fails to live up to the hype. The anguished wails of lead vocalist Michael Pending are eclipsed only by the tortured (and at the same time, wholly lame) screaming of Joe Pending. Patent Pending is not a screamo band, and so when they do that, the song ends up sounding like an American Idol outtake.
“Lights Out In Mississippi” sounds like a over-starched punk track, and while it’s catchy, doesn’t display any sort of instrumental knack or songwriting prowess, which is quite unfortunate. I can’t stand “Demo for Dayna,” to tell you the truth, simply because of the vocals. However, it’s the last six tracks that really help Patent Pending try to right the sinking ship. The band drops some catchy songs on the listener, although they’re barely above cliché. “The L-Town Shakedown” is guaranteed to make you grin a little bit with its mostly-acoustic tale of woe. And to close the album, we have “The June Spirit,” one of the more melodic songs on Save Each Other, the Whales Are Doing Fine.
I came away from this album fairly disappointed in Patent Pending. They had a handful of bright spots on this CD, but the negatives piled up against them. If you’re willing to set aside intelligent music for a cheap thrill (and I know we all have our guilty pleasures), then Patent Pending is right up your alley; I guarantee you’ll keep the CD on repeat for hours. But if you like something a little less cliché-ridden, you should pass on Save Each Other, The Whales Are Doing Fine.
I used to LOVE the whole skate punk/ska scene. However, then I moved to the NYC area and became a jaded prick. Now, I am saved and Patent Pending has saved me. I DID NOT expect to like these guys when I happened to see em live during CMJ and it was the most fun that I've had in a long time. Let go of your inhibitions and allow yourself to love this band. It will happen.
5 old songs on this album!!! Cheer up emo kid is easily5 years old. I'm pretty surprised about this considering I've listened to these guys while growing up on the island....their live show is great so I hope this cd doesn't disappoint...
I had the privelege of seeing these guys a couple months ago and they're sick live. Most fun I ever had at a show. I can't find any of their old stuff so I'm definitely looking forward to the new album.
Hey, if it's Patent Pending, I love it.
They're the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
I've met people who're too quick to judge them just by their sound
and how they look from afar.
I just heard about a someone at absolutepunk reviewing Patent Pending's new cd. Then i read the review...quite disapointed with the reviewer's job. What he/she failed to mention was that Patent Pending is something unique, unlike most of the repeat copycat bands out there. They are unlike any band I have seen or heard perform. Without ever having heard them before you will likely get sucked into their live show.
To the reviewer: Maybe you should try and give them credit for doing their own thing and not writing the "cliche" songs every other band seems to have out there. ;)
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Profile Picture
View Signature
Posts: 39
View Blog
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author