The 88 CD Review

Not all of my reviews get good grades, as this little doozy shows.


http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/1.1235608-1.1235608

Band: The 88
Album: Not Only...But Also
Grade: C+

The 88 missing a few keys on Not Only

"With music that’s fairly popular in the entertainment industry, one would think The 88 could meet its own standards on an entire album.

The 88 brings its L.A. influence to its newest album, Not Only ... But Also. The three-person group has been around since 2003, but The 88 is more likely known by its songs featured on reality and entertainment shows, including “The O.C.” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” rather than by its name.

Producing under a new label and insisting that nothing has changed, The 88’s newest album has a few moments of glory, but somehow its catchy tunes only result in a dull overall tone.

Right from the beginning the band has bad luck. “Go Go Go” was a terrible pick to start the show — the song is whiney and barely understandable, with music and vocals that painfully clash. “Love You Anytime” is, well, just like it sounds. It’s a tribute to a girlfriend.

Luckily, the album isn’t completely lost — there’s a hint of progress beginning by the third track.

“Coming Home” finally hits the sweet notes, quite literally. The 88 found its balance at this point. The vocals are in harmony with a guitar and drum-driven song that goes along the lines of, “Send me a letter / Pick up the phone / Make me feel better / Don’t leave me alone / Because I’m feeling sick / Honey, please come quick.” Use this as a siren’s call on your long-distance girlfriends or boyfriends and see how they respond.

Immediately after is a melodic piano addition to the guitar and drums, and the jewel of a track “No One Here” showcases vocal skills. You know how you feel after a nonmutual break-up — that no one could love your ex as much as you? Here’s the song for you — slow, gorgeous and lamenting: “But there’s no one here who loves you like I do / And thank God this much is true.”

Unfortunately, after this, The 88 goes back to its fast track style — it’s too fast to understand entirely, but it’s perfect for head banging and fast dance moves.

The track titled “It’s A Lot,” with its repeating chords lulling my ears to boredom, says it all. It’s a lot of the same. In the end, The 88 fits a classic mold in that it focuses on love. No amount of catchy drum and guitar with decent vocals can make up for hearing about one single thing repeatedly.

Just like 90 percent of other bands around the nation, it’s a semi-different perspective of the same thing.

I lived a Hollywood celebrity relationship storyline with Not Only ... But Also — there were a couple moments worth enjoying, but otherwise I found myself disappointed and unsatisfied. I guess it’s time to move on to the next option, L.A. style."