My Favorite Highway – How to Call a Bluff

4 November 2008, Joe @ 10:55 pm My Favorite Highway – How to Call a Bluff

Put on the backburner for far too long, My Favorite Highway released How to Call a Bluff back in July. For some reason or another, I never went on to review the album though I was completely impressed by the full length effort. For those of you not in the know, this 4.5 month old album is still every bit as good as the first time I listened to it. My Favorite Highway was reviewed way back in December of 2007 and I recall asking the question “can they produce twelve hits?” With only eleven tracks, they only just miss the benchmark, but alas, the consistency of great songs in this album is almost overwhelming.

I found How to Call a Bluff a tad better in every aspect as compared to their EPs. The songs were just a bit more creative, catchier, more exciting, and more soulful. Without being too cliché, I must say the band emerged and matured over the course of this album, and the final product is impressive. I’m also glad that they stuck with their original style, and while the music has improved, I can recognize that it is them without a shadow of a doubt.

What exactly distinguishes a My Favorite Highway song from all of the other music on the market? First and foremost the vocals are very talented and very suave. Without saying much at all, the energy can be expressed perfectly and elegantly with the sound of vocalists, Dave Cook’s voice. The other great element is the upbeat nature of their music. With such brilliant instrumentals, they convey a happy yet soulful motive. Take Simple Life for example, the backup vocals and vibrant instruments make for such a simple, fun song. A really upbeat melody, it’s also memorable, starting with the chorus and finishing with the “nananana.” While almost a mainstream approach, I find the blend of fun and soul to be nothing short of excellent, and the music truly stands out as topnotch powerpop.
Getaway Car was another song I thoroughly enjoyed because of the great composition. The piano intro leading to a mellow verse and finishing with a fast paced/heavy chorus was well done. I couldn’t help but find myself enjoying the entire song from start to finish as it unfolded using a cinematic approach. I could go on about the vocals which I think naturally sounds fantastic, but listeners really should hear it for themselves.

Not only is Getaway Car epic in design, but almost all the songs have the same raw soul driving the tracks. From the carefree to the serious the same My Favorite Highway enthusiasm can be found throughout the album. I was equally impressed with the somber tracks as I was with the extremely upbeat ones. Bigger Than Love is very emotional yet in the end shares a very positive message. The slow moving melody combined with the slower and greater range of vocals is enough to win me over. I was also pleased to see Bittersweet Life reoccur on this album, originally titled How to Call a Bluff. One of the most emotionally driven tracks, it has great elements of powerpop produced in epic fashion; one of the nicest and touching tracks I really enjoyed it. Another notable song is Walking on a Wire which is similar in sound.

Overall My Favorite Highway has pleased me with this album, it’s unfortunate I had to review it so late, but better late than never. And if you’re one of the select few who enjoy a great powerpop band, and haven’t listened to this album, do so immediately. How to Call a Bluff is an LP which I feel contends for album of the year.

AWmusic