AWmusic

Beginning with We The Kings, Secret Valentine is the premise of their EP and was a single off their 2007 self-titled album. There are two versions of Secret Valentine laid down, one being the original radio cut, and the other is a very warming acoustic version. The original is fantastic, as it was the first time I heard it, but the acoustic edition is something else. The vocals completely stand alone, and I was digging the rugged falsetto that appears throughout the song. As with any acoustic version, Secret Valentine turned into something a little more warming and a little more emotional, which was a nice change up.

Among other songs on the EP is a cover of Gorillaz hit, Feel Good Inc. Not much can be said about this track, We The Kings didn’t change much from the original, but obviously the vocals were much different. I liked the cover as much as I liked the original, but it might have been nicer if We The Kings attempted it using a different approach. In the end it was something fun, and that is probably the most important thing.

Now on to the good stuff, three brand spanking new songs, all of which were amazing. Make It Or Not is very similar to what We The Kings has produced in the past. It has a catchy hook that’s delivered passionately but always sounds inviting and hopeful. The verse also features more of the rough falsetto that We The Kings is known for. The lyrics, while cheesy, are slightly nostalgic and always put a smile on my face. The instrumentals are solid, opting for real sounds as they have in the past (no synths). The guitar melody was also excellent, using an elegant sound that matched the theme of the music. Bring Out Your Best is more of the same, being a tad more aggressive and sounding a little fuller with instruments, the style still remained warm and passionate.

The final song is There Is Light, which features Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls. This is a very interesting guest vocal, because Martin absolutely kills falsettos when he sings for BLG’s and Travis often uses an awkward but nice falsetto in his songs. However, this song features no falsetto unfortunately; instead listeners get a really nice Christmas-themed song that’s completely mellow and perfect for the occasion. The instruments feature guitar, bongos, bells and possibly a violin, which is a dream mix for me. Everything works well to keep the pace fast but all the while the vocals and instruments are very relaxed and lucid, a pretty song for the holiday season.
We The Kings – Make It Or Not

Moving to the next EP, from the artists who delivered my favourite album of 2008, The Maine released their not so serious holiday album titled …And A Happy New Year. Ho Ho Ho Hopefully starts things off with a sincere track about being with loved ones for the holidays. It’s very tranquil, with hints of Christmas bells and other calming elements, unusual compared to their regular energetic music. As always the vocals are fantastic, and the lyrics are clever and pleasant. All that said, the final product is a charming and warm introduction for Christmas day.

The Maine lightens the mood with Santa Claus Stole My Girlfriend, which is a satirically sad song, that’s gloomy and amusing all at the same time. The track is very telling of what this band is all about, simple, good-hearted fun. While the theme is slightly short of ridiculous, the music is still high in quality with a nice melody, catchy chorus and well played guitar. This shows that they can joke around, but when it comes to music, they stop at nothing short of greatness.

The third song of this four track EP, Mr. Winter, is finally one that incorporates the full vibrant sound that The Maine is known for. Consisting of the usual high energy instrumentals, and vibrant vocals, everything is so classically Maine. Again the lyrics are witty, and there is a subtle appeal to their music that just makes you simply happy. Mr. Winter is a song that could easily be a hit on any album, because of its classic powerpop sound, something which I felt the Maine has mastered since Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. Also in the EP is a hilarious cover of Last Christmas by Wham! which puts a tear in my eye. I couldn’t think of a better Christmas song for them to cover. So enjoy the rest of your holidays and check out these two EPs!
The Maine – Mr. Winter

5) My Favorite Highway – How To Call a Bluff (July 22, 2008)
How To Call A Bluff is one of the most polished powerpop releases this year. It is evident that a tremendous amount of effort was put forth because everything was solid, from the vocals to the melodies. Dave Cook’s voice was inspiring and the instruments were extravagantly pop, putting a soulful twist to the genre. While it is this soul and passionate sound that drove me to put them on the list, it also prevented me from putting them in the top spot. This album is definitely the total package when it comes to sound, but their soul often translated into less of the carefree fun which is a staple for any powerpop band.
My Favorite Highway – Getaway Car

4) Jack’s Mannequin – The Glass Passenger (September 20, 2008)
Inspiring, enduring and beautiful, that is what Jack’s Mannequin has turned The Glass Passenger into. This album lacks pop in the traditional sense, there’s little fun and little non-chalant business to be found in this album. Instead listeners are treated to something real and passionate, a glimpse into the world of Andrew McMahon. While it is true that I hold a soft spot for Jack’s Mannequin, there are no pity points awarded in this list. The music speaks for itself, with words that motivate and sounds that allow you to visualize more than just music. From aggressive tracks to mellow ones, the music is powerful and tells a unique story. Definitely the most influential album on this list, it is however just delving on the borders of powerpop, and as such cannot be named the best powerpop album of the year.
Jack’s Mannequin – Bloodshot

3) Forever The Sickest Kids – Underdog Alma Mater (April 1, 2008)
A perfect example of what powerpop means to me is Underdog Alma Mater. One of the most anticipated albums of the year, it definitely lived up to the standards put forth by FTSK’s previous EP. Energetic, fun, clever, and catchy — these are all adjectives that best describe Underdog Alma Mater and are often used in conjuncture with the pop genre itself. While many bands possess similar styles, FTSK has honed their own with uniquely timed duel vocals and an edgy sound that keeps things fresh and never boring. Simple, honest, and fun is what they do best, and anything beyond that can be left to a different genre, not powerpop. By the end of the album there’s a smile on my face and a tune in my head, which is all I can ask for. The only issue preventing this album from moving up in rankings is it’s similarities with FTSK’s old stuff, which has not been the case for many of the sophomore releases this year.
Forever The Sickest Kids – Hey Brittany

2) Cute Is What We Aim For – Rotation (June 24, 2008)
A complete shocker for me, I never thought Rotation would cut this list, let alone be the number one contender as powerpop album of the year. After my first listen I was utterly disgusted with CIWWAF’s complete change and revamping of their music. But over time this album has grown on me so much that I have listened to it consistently since it was released in June. The change in style took some getting used to, and while I still feel the quality of lyrics has devolved, just about everything else has evolved into something great. It could be that Cute matured, and therefore the lyrics became less about witty sexual innuendos and more about real social problems, leaving little room for insanely clever lyrics. That said, Rotation is much more polished than their debut album, competing with a full fledged sound that is aggressive, powerful and catchy. It provided that kind of spark that got me completely pumped over nothing, and was still pop enough to be catchy and moving. Most importantly it did not lose its stay-power even after hundreds of listens. A definite surprise album for me, Rotation earned it’s spot as the second best album of 2008.
Cute Is What We Aim For – Practice Makes Perfect

1) The Maine – Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop (July 8, 2008)
It may be of no shock that Can’t Stop Won’t Stop tops this year’s list and has easily become my favourite powerpop album of the year. Since the day it was released it has been vying for the title, and after every listen I feel it deserves it more and more. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop perfectly combines emphatic and addictive pop with the meaningful and moving variety. Prior to this album The Maine was mainly known for just the fun stuff, so the debut album was a refreshing surprise in change. The Maine’s style is something that seems common, but has yet to be emulated to the kind of perfection that they deliver it with. Fans of powerpop can enjoy the fun and energetic songs but at the same time feel moved by the warm and inviting music. It is an album I enjoy each and every time I listen, not only because it is classically a fun album, but also because it’s a very thoughtful album. Perhaps I’m a softie for the quaint pop that has been produced this year, but at the end of the day, The Maine takes the cake with Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. Hopefully the title of this LP is an insight into their future endeavours.
The Maine – We’ll All Be

Honour Roll: The Academy Is… – Fast Times at Barrington High, A Rocket To The Moon – Greetings From…, Mercy Mercedes – 1.21 Gigawatts, The Morning Light – Self-titled

And that’s the list, have a happy holiday!

The Maine had released the first track on their myspace prior to the release of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. Everything I Ask For, is a fun song filled with The Maine’s care-free swagger that they are notoriously known for. Their personality translates perfectly into their music, and this song is a vintage track for them. With witty lyrics, overzealous guitar/drum/bass, and painfully catchy melodies, this is The Maine I was used to.

However, it’s not that classic Maine vibe that got me hooked to this album, it’s quite the opposite. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is full of really fun themes, but also includes a variety of songs with serious undertones. We All Rock Along, the second track, is my absolute favourite song by The Maine, and is much more mellow, but still incredibly vibrant. This is a song that proves that The Maine, are much more than a one-dimensional power pop extravaganza. Though The Maine is one of the catchiest, upbeat bands in the scene, songs like We All Rock Along, show a more matured character. The song starts off with a really mellow guitar rhythm, that turns into a classic power chord/palm mute, but right off the bat it gives off a more serious tone. A song about friends, the lyrics and vocals solidify the meaning behind the song, and it’s a real pick me up hidden in a mellow pop-punk package.

The album interchanges between these two types of songs, with everything in between. I Must Be Dreaming is a laid back, fun song that incorporates both stylistic elements. It has the mellow instrumentals of We All Rock Along, and the fun themes of Everything I Ask For. Not surprisingly many of the songs vary from these two similar but different spectrums. Although all the songs have that Maine flair and style, which increases the originality and quality ten fold.

Though all the songs are somewhat in the same ball park, The Maine created a couple of tunes that don’t follow the trend. Whoever She Is, an acoustic track not all that uncommon, but again slows things down and gives listeners a more serious look at the band. You Left Me also has that emotional rift, but they did something very different, opting to use a lot of synths. Almost a blend of Metrostation meets The Maine, You Left Me is a very catchy and meaningful song. The final track is the nail in the coffin, with a very country-esqe feel, We’ll All Be is a beautiful song. With great lyrics and a great beat, it’s a perfect way to end off the album. With random laughing and a warming blend of guitars, drums and harmonica, it’s a VERY uplifting track, and my second favourite from this album.

The Maine upped the ante this go around, surpassing their EP with brand new material; quite the feat. Going into this album with high hopes, I was definitely pleased to hear the final product, and they blew me away. With a more matured and varied style, they have all the tools of becoming a mainstream sensation. Their attitude is so pleasing to see, with a great sense of humour but also meaningful, passionate and memorable, it all translates into their music. The Maine is a band to look out for, hopefully they “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” making music.

Check out their Myspace for official tour dates and future album info.

The Maine – Everything I Ask For

The Maine – We All Roll Along

The first thing to note when listening to The Maine is their truly complete sound. From the vocals to the drums, every piece of the puzzle is important in carrying out their fun-loving style. Although no individual member of the band really stands out as completely unique, The Maine as a whole is something from out of this world.

Once you first listen to the EP, you’ll realise that a lot of the songs sound similar but completely different. The Maine did a great job of not shying away from their style, but still banging out music that is not boring and repetitive. The first song, If I Only Had The Heart, is a little tame compared to the memorable swagger witnessed later in the EP. However, it still exemplifies the little details about this band that instantly put them over the top. First and foremost there’s a huge emphasis on catchy lyrics and vocals that will stand out. Alone, the vocals would be meaningless, but combined with equally addictive instrumentals; the finished product is a song worthy of rocking out to. The guitars are simple but notable, the drums are addictive and the bass rounds up the perfect 5-piece.

The next track on the album, The Way We Talk, sums up what The Maine is all about. The swagger, the attitude, the wit, it’s all exposed in this song, and this is perhaps my favourite track off the EP. Not only is the raw sound amazingly catchy and enduringly fun, the lyrics are also witty and over the top. The Maine is a band, that just loves to have fun, and they will definitely rub off on many if not all of their listeners. But just because they’re all about having fun and rocking out, doesn’t mean their music is meaningless. The songs do have subtle messages, but in the end it’s all about enjoying yourself, and enjoying their music.

Their attitude and their arrogance come natural, second only to their love for making outstanding music. The Way We Talk is an EP that should definitely be heard, whether you’re looking for a pick me up, or ready to continue loving life. I expect The Maine to get huge, having already booked big tours, and on the midst of completing a full length album, 2008 could be their year.

Check out their Myspace for official tour dates and future album info.

The Maine – The Way We Talk