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Inside AP.net
| Sherwood - A Different Light | Sherwood - A Different Light
Record Label: Myspace Records
Release Date: 03/11/2007
My master plan was to wait until the album was just about to hit stores and then drop a killer hyped-up review for this disc that would convince as many people as possible to go and buy the album. You see, I have a vested interest in how well this album sells. As many of you know AP.net launched the band's free Summer EP last year and now many in the industry are watching how Sherwood's online buzz converts into offline fans and thus into "album purchasing power." So how this album sells directly reflects on AP.net and our current "status" in the music industry. If the album takes off we'll look good and more people will want to use ... er ... work with us on new promotions.
So, incidentally, I really wanted to put together this brilliant and convincing argument while using all sorts of hyperbolic phrases like, "the best new pop band of the past 5 years" and "finally a catchy and fun album that doesn't bleed faux pretentiousness." Then some asshole leaked the album and ruined all of my fun. It's very difficult to try and convince someone with words to go buy an album they can hear with the click of their mouse. However, thankfully, I have a secret weapon: If you hear the album, I'm willing to bet you're going to like the album, and if you like the album (and you're not a schmuck) you then should go buy the album (come on, it's important to me). So that means I'm counting on the power of the music, not my words, to convince everyone to lay down the cash for this CD -- which, if you think about it, is the way it should be. Turns out, I'm more than comfortable letting the music sell itself in this case.
Even though I promised not to work my magical persuasion skills and "convince" you to go shell out your hard earned cash -- I do have to write some form of analysis to fake some semblance of a review here (otherwise I'm just writing the band's one-sheet).
The album's shortcomings lay in two major categories. First, I don't think the producer (Lou Giordano) should have been allowed anywhere near this album. His heavy handed production style ends up adding too much to songs that don't need it. If the songs themselves weren't strong enough to survive -- it could be said that this man nearly ruined a fantastic album. The second pitfall is that the album's tracks all have a very similar sound and by the end feel almost formulaic. I feel as if the record would have been better served with a spattering of slower tempo songs instead of the compressed and pounding drums that fill almost every track. The album's flaws are, thankfully, minimal when compared to the album's strengths.
Sherwood could be sold on their fun factor alone. It's one of those albums that sparks an almost instant incantation of verbal sunshine. Reminding me of The Travoltas' and their ability to craft pop-songs that request to be played in the company of friends. This collection creates memories of nights around a beach campfire or cross state road-trips before they even happen. While the music is simple, the lyrics are thoughtful yet lucid. The drums are often the driving factor of each song and the start/stop melodies create mesmerizing and easily memorable pieces within each song. The usage of harmony and the unique bridges the band use stand out. While critics may not put pure pop-music at the top of the "difficult" to play chart, it's extremely refreshing to hear a band return to the basics of the sound and do it well.
In the end, it comes to this: Don't hate it cause I love it, roll your windows down, turn it up, and be thankful that there is still pop-music being created nowadays that isn't tainted by the curse of curves or manufactured on a television show. And if you're really craving some nugget of exaggeration or a zippy one-liner that lets you know I've gone overboard, I guess I can sneak in that I think if the Beach Boys were still creating melodic pop-perfection today ... it'd probably sound something very similar to this. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 191. |
02:44 AM on 02/25/07 | I really like this record so far, good review. haha "curse of curves"  | | |
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03:21 AM on 02/25/07 | Originally Posted by Jason Tate |
Ah never mind, it's the name of that silly CIWWAF song. | | |
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08:46 AM on 02/25/07 | reminds me of your hit the lights review.
i'll check this out. i could use some summer records. (rec: blackpool light's this town's disaster) | | |
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10:06 AM on 02/25/07 | Originally Posted by alcoholandironyreminds me of your hit the lights review.
i'll check this out. i could use some summer records. (rec: blackpool light's this town's disaster) |
I don't remember reviewing Hit the Lights. | | |
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10:24 AM on 02/25/07 | when did punk rock become so safe? I like the album a lot. It has it's flaws and there are too many production tricks for me at times, but the songs are extremely fun and distinctly Sherwood. I still don't care for "The Simple Life" though. I'd give this record an 8.4 or so. Still one of my favorite bands and a great group of guys. | | |
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10:26 AM on 02/25/07 | You didnt even mention one song title. Cd reviews are actually supposed to talk about the contents of the cd. I dont have any better of an idea about the music than i did before reading it. =/ | | |
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10:50 AM on 02/25/07 | Originally Posted by TroggyYou didnt even mention one song title. Cd reviews are actually supposed to talk about the contents of the cd. I dont have any better of an idea about the music than i did before reading it. =/ |
the song sound good.
I listened to it last night when i went to bed and it is very produced - though I like some of the stuff he did to mix it up. I think it takes away from what they're about, but i think he was just trying to make it sell as much as you are. They are a great bunch of guys and the shit just makes you happy. go out and buy it. | | |
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10:54 AM on 02/25/07 | haha wow for someone with vested interest you lowballed that one | | |
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10:55 AM on 02/25/07 | i want this...i am going to buy it. sherwood is amazing. | | |
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10:58 AM on 02/25/07 | Nice review. I got into these guys when you poseted the Summer EP and loved it. Bought their full length shortly after that, and will definitely be buying this the day it comes out. Thanks Jason. | | |
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11:02 AM on 02/25/07 | Originally Posted by TroggyYou didnt even mention one song title. Cd reviews are actually supposed to talk about the contents of the cd. I dont have any better of an idea about the music than i did before reading it. =/ |
Amen. I haven't heard the album yet, but this review told me nothing. Very disappointing Mr Tate. If you really were trying to sell this band you would have described the music for those who aren't familiar with the band and wouldn't download the leak anyway. | | |
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11:03 AM on 02/25/07 | That came across as quite a negative review to me. If I didn't know the band and saw that the CD only got a rating of 76% from someone who has a "vested interest" in the band" I'd probably think twice before picking it up. Fortunately I know better I guess. | | |
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11:03 AM on 02/25/07 | Originally Posted by TroggyYou didnt even mention one song title. Cd reviews are actually supposed to talk about the contents of the cd. I dont have any better of an idea about the music than i did before reading it. =/ |
You can download 5 songs for free, listen to like 5 on their myspace. If you don't know what they sound like by now that's your own fault. | | |
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