Media Review

Head Automatica

Popaganda (CD)

Warner
website | pureVolume

Overall Rating:

9.0

Music Quality: 9.5

Production: 9.0

Originality: 7.5

Daryl Palumbo has been faulted for everything he’s done since Glassjaw disembanded. For a lot of people, his golden days are over—the best he’s had to offer has came and went. Admittedly, I’ve felt the same way about Palumbo for some time—though I’ll agree that his vocal style is perhaps one of the most infectious, unique styles out there. I absolutely love it--and when Palumbo said they didn’t want to make a record about crying and about being hurt, and that they just wanted to make a brilliant power-pop record--I didn't know what to think.

On “Decadence,” scattered disco influences and a few stand-out tracks were exciting but disappointing. I hate to say it, but the Internet tended to kill that release in my mind. Truly, especially after the demos for Head Automatica leaked, the timing of Decadence couldn’t have been more anti-climactic—most of us were pretty over it. I can’t blame that regardless for this feeling of disappointment and apathy over Decadence, though—the songs just weren’t that great. A few stand-out disco-funk tunes stood out a bit brighter than the rest of the disc (notably, “Beating Heart Baby” and “The Razor”) and the rest of the tracks seemed to resonate as dull and grey.

So when the announcement of a follow-up, the eventual “Popaganda,” surfaced, I was torn between excitement for new songs (after all, by the time Decadence’s tracks were out the songs seemed old to me) and apathy (I just wanted to hear Daryl shriek again).

Needless to say, I was surprised as hell when I finally got my copy of this record. Regardless of my premonitions, expectations, and overall excitement about Head Automatica’s sophomore album, “Popaganda” is stellar, and chock full of infectious, wonderful pop songs. From the moment this disc opens, you’re immediately hit with Daryl’s infectious, memorable memories that resonate on literally every track on “Popaganda.”

Every track on the album fulfills the idea that Head Automatica have fully abandoned the electronic, funky sound on “Decadence,”—they’ve moved towards full frontal, guitar-driven pop songs. The song structures are generally simplified quite a bit—which makes for, well, incessantly poppy, catchy rock songs. Huge, soaring choruses take flight on literally every track—and there’s even a special treat for Glassjaw fans with the epic closer, “K Horse.” The summery, warm sound on “Popaganda” is an entirely different—and entirely thrilling—experience. Production wise, Lou Giordano’s engineering and Mitch Marine’s production efforts have not been in vain. All of the songs on “Popaganda” are fulfilling—and bring the band to their highest point ever.

Not to mention that the fact that Palumbo strays from profound lyrical endeavors doesn’t bother me—I think that was the point with “Popaganda”—it’s straight-forward. Songs about embarrassment (“Laughing At You”), religion (“God”) and love (“Curious”) seem to fit almost like a glove on “Popaganda.” Palumbo’s obvious goal to write songs that are undemanding resolves as, literally, effortless for Head Automatica—I couldn’t be more satisfied.

The real issue here is—when you’re faced with the infectious record that is “Popaganda,” are you going to deny yourself the enjoyment of the summer-induced melodies and choruses on here? Or will you put on “Worship And Tribute” and pretend Palumbo isn’t recording music anymore? If you find yourself in the latter, all I can say is this: get over yourself.

reviewed by Andrew Martin