Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 8.5
Production: 7.5
Originality: 8.0
Tracklisting
2. Mississippi Burning
3. Who Is Aliandra
4. Angels And Errors
5. A Message
6. Chica Chica
7. La Amoureux
8. Irukandji
9. Intro
10. Hide And Seek
Park are one of those bands who have got it together; they compose and perform tight, technical rock songs with indubitably catchy hooks and even darker lyrics. Their enthusiastic fans seem to follow the same suit, and stay in tune with the band, following them from album to album with increasing anticipation. Hand in hand with their excitement, though, comes a stack of expectations.
“No Signal,” the completely undiscovered debut from the band, was released in 2001 with little or no effect on the crowds of music listeners. It seemed, Park’s technical sound tended to be a bit intimidating to the short attention spans of the music scene, though their hooks have always been undeniably accessible. “It Won’t Snow Where You’re Going,” the thrilling follow-up album from the band, continued in the same direction that seemed suitable for the band, but the challenging lyrics (there was a suicide prevention warning label branded onto the album art) routed the band on a new course.
In the time between “It Won’t Snow’ and this album, however, it seemed the band had almost hit a dry spell. It took awhile for them to release and reveal details and information on the album; in early 2006, their website was even shut down and instead aggressive, interested fans were redirected to their mySpace page (which had a few scattered monthly updates). In the midst of this ominous, mysterious album, suddenly “Building A Better ____” was complete. Produced by the experienced Cameron Webb (who produced all of Park’s Lobster Records efforts), the album initially made my heart skip a beat—finally, I was listening to new Park songs.
Immediately, there appeared several notable differences from their previous efforts include slower tempos, more drawn out and melodic choruses and hooks, and, for lack of a better word, simpler lyrics. Though “Mississippi Burning” confronts the loss of their friend Andy Wildrick (The Junior Varsity)’s girlfriend Olamide Adeyooye, song titles like “Trophy Wife” and “A Message” point singer and lyricist Ladd Mitchell’s head from the ground. “I’d hold the sun up, just to wake beside you,” Ladd pleads on “A Message,” perhaps the most reminiscent song on the disc. The jumpy progressions and blistering chorus on the track bring to mind songs like “Clue Me In,” and eventually break it all down much in the way “Swell” did—but when the drum machine kicks in and Ladd swoons over clean guitars, a completely new sound is revealed. Most of the songs present familiar stop/start guitars intuitive to Park’s sound, but the pace and accessibility on this record is perhaps at the band’s most clear-cut moment.
The band’s signature blend of solid mechanics and pop hooks is consistently present on “Building A Better _____.” What’s debatable is whether the band really built a better sound—are the slower, more hooky and melodic tracks, with their increased accessibility and melodic presence an improved sound for the band? Is the band’s more direct approach a good one? To be most honest about it—I’d say it’s up to the listener; I won’t reveal which I prefer. Instead, I’ll state that Park have released another excellent album—and I couldn’t be more passionate about the band—if you’re not into their new sound, do yourself a favor and explore their catalogue.