Check out Mike's interview with Something
Corporate's Josh Partington here.
There’s something for everyone in Something Corporate’s Geffen debut, North. While these California boys are primarily a pop/punk band, the intricate songwriting and clever production of Jim Wirt show that this band brings a lot more to the table. The hooks here are the size of California, but that’s only part of the story. There are so many textures and so much talent here that Something Corporate is a home run waiting to happen for their label.
“As You Sleep” combines smart melodies and cool arrangements that balance piano and guitar parts, but mainly this is a great opening track. “Space” and “Only Ashes” have a lot of those punk roots ala Jimmy Eat World, and the choruses in both are so big they might just come out of your speakers and attack you. “Down” has some mesmerizing production, with dancing piano and drum loops, and is kind of like Radiohead in the verses and Goo Goo Dolls in the chorus -- ethereal yet incredibly hook-laden. “Me and the Moon” starts off like it came straight off a Ben Folds record and “Ruthless” brings to mind popsters Nine Days. “Break Myself” is another pop/rock gem, as is most of this record.
Forgive the comparisons, because while there are so many influences at work here, the best part of Something Corporate is that they manage to maintain their individuality. There are dynamics on
North that not only breathe life into great songs, but also put this band in an upper class among their peers. Hopefully the “corporate” budget will keep them going strong for a while, because a band as good as Something Corporate deserves to reap the rewards.
~Mike Farley
mfarley@bullz-eye.com
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