Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 9.0
Production: 8.5
Originality: 7.5
Tracklisting
2. Walk It Off
3. Problems
4. Lose My Head
5. Rock & Roll Will Never Save Your Soul
6. Give Up
7. Yes Takes A No
8. Talk Is Cheap
9. How'd You Get To Be That Way
10. Oceans Still
11. Way Around The World
12. Take It Slow
13. When You Return
The presence of trends in the music scene is nearly inescapable. A few years ago, it was full assault of pop-punk, recently it was “screamo”, and today we find ourselves knee-deep in bands hoping to be crowned the New Found Glories and Hawthorne Heights of the 80s revival genre. Oh well, I guess there is nothing to do but be happy that Push To Talk listened to 80s bands other than Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Ah-Ha. These guys dig bands like Tears For Fears and the Smiths. Push To Talk’s influences are evident in the vocals that often remind you of Morrissey and those densely webbed guitars that resonate with a respectable sonic clarity. These apparent influences make for a very interesting CD.
Opening with “Haunting on 56th Street”, who’s intro sounds as though it is a track directly off Coldplay’s most recent release, Push To Talk unfortunately fail to show the listener exactly who they are. Although those Morrissey reminiscent vocals sound wonderful and the song it’s self is a good track, it’s just that a first impression is important and they are capable of more. A great band like Push To Talk deserves a great opening track.
Skipping ahead to track three, “Problems”, we get our great track and are introduced to the real Push To Talk. “Problems” is the stand-out song off the album and just happens to be the band’s first single, kudos to Doghouse Records. During this song, James Leste, and his back-up vocalists establish themselves as being quite capable to impress with harmonies and melodies sure to be a frequently returning to the listener’s memory (and most likely tongue) for weeks to come. We are also treated to the wonderful array of instrumental’s this band possesses, most notably, the smooth and funky bass that guides this song as well as many others.
The next absolutely delightful track we get is called “Rock & Roll Will Never Save You”. This is one of those complete feel-good songs that remind you of a million songs and brings up a million memories. The only dilemma this song puts forth is the challenge of how quickly you can learn the words so you can grin and sing along. In fact, almost every one of the following tracks causes a desire to just smile and sing. Especially, “Yes Takes A No”, a catchy track with wonderful guitar-work and finger-snapping. Yes, it’s true. There is finger-snapping.
I would say the only flaw is that some of the tracks sound a little too similar causing the tracks to occasionally run together, but when the songs are this good, it’s an easy mistake to forgive. However, there is one song that creates a different sound from the others, “Give Up”. This is the token ballad found on every full-length album. Usually, I fear that track, but this one quickly proved to be the prettiest track on the whole CD. Mr. Leste croons away with a longing that never feels over the top and with the beautiful addition of the perfectly complimenting background vocals and those crystal-clear keys that are ever present, but never dominating, the volume of your speakers will always be pushed to the limit with this one.
In fact, it’s not just that one song; nearly every song will cause you to crank those notches to the maximum volume. Push To Talk may have certainly borrowed their sound from bands of the past, but with some apparent creativity, have been able to fashion something unique out of it. If you are a fan of The Smiths (at there upbeat times), Tears For Fears, or most recently, The Killers, you need this. As soon as April 25th rolls around, be ready to run out and pick up that perfect summer CD from Push To Talk.