Soundtrack of Our Lives Breaks More Than Bread
Latest album, Communion, doesn't inspire reverence.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Communion
Released on Mar 03, 2009
Please pause while I bring a
public service announcement to all the musicians out there. If you’re
going to put out a double disc with say, 25 songs (which is a lot of
music), you better come prepared to blow people’s minds. If you do not
“bring it,” prepare to fall to the wayside of mediocrity like The
Soundtrack of Our Lives have done with their latest release, Communion.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives are finally seeing a stateside release
this week of their aforementioned mammoth two-disc album. These Swedish
rockers first garnered attention in the US with their 2002 release
Behind the Music, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative
Album in 2003. Now make no mistake by my lack of excitement for their
new release; The Soundtrack of Our Lives are a very enjoyable band
overall. I’ve indulged in a few of their albums, and they produce some
quality tracks on Communion. But any band that wants me to concentrate
on that much music in one whole package better really impress me with
their range and the overall quality.
At first listen the bands up-tempo songs have a tinge of the grit
and rock of bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or even a bit
reminiscent of the southern rock twang of My Morning Jacket or Kings of
Leon, especially on the standout track “Thrill Me.” With cuts like
“Distorted Child” and “Mensa’s Marauders,” the band evokes their
obvious influence of the heady rock bands of the late 60’s and early
70’s. Someone definitely listened to a decent amount of Pink Floyd when
they were growing up. And this format and sound really works best for
The Soundtrack of Our Lives.
These guys would be really great if they stick to the gritty
classic rock sound that they work best in, and shun the lull me to
sleep drone ballads they end up creating at times. They are a very
polar band, having two distinct and opposite sounds that don’t really
sound like they belong to one singular band. They aren’t able to mesh
their different sounds into one distinct style, hindering their overall
appeal. Only nine out of the twenty-five tracks I consider upbeat,, and
of those nine I enjoy and consider four of those tracks catchy. Not a
very good percentage overall.
Unless you’re a diehard Soundtrack of Our Lives fan, I’d recommend
you download some of the songs that tickle your fancy (especially
“Thrill Me”) and call it a day. Maybe next time The Soundtrack of Our
Lives will stick to the ideology of quality over quantity, crank out a
release of up-tempo jewels, and stick to the sound that works best for
this band.
High Point
The gritty and sexy bounce along romp “Thrill Me.”
Low Point
The jingly ballad “Just A Brother,” which sounds trite, hokey, and forced.
Posted by Lisa White on Mar 05, 2009 @ 7:00 am