- Release Date: 2 March 2010
- Label: In The Groove Music
- Producer: Drew Lerdal
- Mike HJ - vocals, guitars
- Aaron Winter - guitar, vocals
- Dan Behrens - bass, vocals
- Drew Lerdal - keyboards, guitars, vocals
- Jordan Keating - drums, samples
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It's since 1996 that Standard Thompson is kicking around but since then only the singer, Mike HJ, sticked around; the fellow members join this "journey" from 2007 on and Drew Lerdal, the keyboardist, took a stable membership on last October, while producing this new CD.
To me, this combo based in Minneapolis, is a pleasant find and after I listened to a few preview on their website, I decided to delve into the whole "More Noise For The Broken Hearted".
Reading their bio, it turns out they started as a punk rock band and by the time passed by they got bewitched by a more mainstream sound. This last CD is the right melt down of a certain pop punk ala Quietdrive with some hit parade adult alternative like The Calling's; you may find the perfect label in their website: "Melodic, hook driven guitar pop rock with power and catchy simplicity that you can't help but to sing along with". That's the simple truth, this record will make you sing for its whole (short) length.
MN4TBH starts in a unique way for a band of this genre: an instrumental overture steals the main theme of the title track, shifts it into an epic ride -it could easily be a soundtrack for a Steven Spielberg's adventure movie- and brings you to the first real song of the album. "More Noise..." is one of this CD's anthem: urgent and melodic at its finest, it won't get off of your ears anymore. There is no time to breathe between this and the sunny "Life Of Sunday Mornings", another catchy song with an acoustic flavour.
"Fireworks" has a Vanessa Carlton styled piano in evidence that skillfully melts down with an electric arrangement. The first three songs are some of the album's highlights, but they're not the only ones: take a listen to the power ballad "White Noise" or the sweet "Leaving Season".
The last ballad, "Words To Get Back", is like the son of a weird relationship between Poison and Nine Days.
The vital and good for dancing "Everything You Need" is present also in a "Wes Anderson Style" version, which I believe it is related to the director famous for his unconventional movies where pop folk music is often a main character; in fact, this version of the song has been slowed down and arranged in an acoustic way with bow accompaniment.
If you should be confused by my praise, take advantage of the surprise we are making: the band -confident about the goodness of their music- decided to offer the weChameleon readers a free download of their whole album.
We ask you to download it from this link, take a listen and leave a feedback in this review. And, most importantly, keep on supporting the good music: if you like MN4TBH, buy it!
Tracklist of More Noise For The Broken Hearted
- 01. Overture For The Broken Hearted 2:05
- 02. More Noise For The Broken Hearted 3:35
- 03. Life Of Sunday Mornings 3:33
- 04. Fireworks 3:04
- 05. Sad Girls 3:34
- 06. White Noise 4:49
- 07. Everything You Need 2:45
- 08. Leaving Season 3:57
- 09. Phase 3:17
- 10. Words To Get Back 4:16
- 11. Everything You Need (Wes Anderson Style) 3:54
Discography of Standard Thompson
- Because You're Young (1998 We're Naked Music)
- Diva (1999 Standard Thompson)
- Bittersilvermorning (2003 Standard Thompson)
- It Just Rained Here Yesterday EP (2005 Standard Thompson)
- More Noise For The Broken Hearted (2010 In The Groove Music)
Links