http://www.pittnews.com/node/19926 
Band: Ballyhoo!
Album: Cheers!
Label: Surfdog
Sounds Like: Sublime meets Yellowcard
Grade: B+
Every relationship has a story, and every story can be told in song.
Ballyhoo! uses Cheers! to tell tales about relationships, from the wonderful beginnings of what might be first love to the evils of a friendship going sour and of course, the inevitable breakup.
Relationship drama and wonders alike are conveyed through lyrics that aren’t really remarkable compositions but still hold some meat on their metaphorical bones — take a listen to “Paper Dolls,” a personal favorite.
Vocals alone will not impress listeners with a wide range of octave coverage, and instead the band’s focus goes to what instruments can be used to bulk
up and complete the song.
Ballyhoo! has a mean drummer who provides the perfect percussion base to go with the mellow surfer-dude guitar riffs. Every song is almost propelled forward by percussion alone.
They also have an awesome sound manager who perfectly mixes the guitar and bass with any effects needed to complete the emotional vibe the band strives to achieve.
In the end, the album’s accompaniment is done so well that every song has an easy-to-like melody.
There is no unnecessary dwelling on the relationship, and no tears will be found unless someone is just trying to cry.
And honestly, why do that when you could dance along to mellow rock music instead?
*
Band: Owl City
Album: Ocean Eyes
Label: Universal Republic
Sounds Like: Lights, Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie
Grade: A-
Who says insomnia is a bad thing? Musician Adam Young claims it’s what led to his compositions and the creation of the musical project called Owl City.
Experimenting with electronic music until it sounds far more natural than expected, Owl City’s newest album Ocean Eyes bounces about in style between pop, orchestral and a sharper rock.
The funny thing is, no matter what style the electronics are imitating, it almost always works. Somehow it stays peaceful and charming.
In addition, the vocalist’s voice harmonizes perfectly with the pitch of the keyboard and intricate sounds. The result is a captivating set of songs with a multitude of sounds to share.
Lyrics are not average at all — the opening song has one line that ends, “ ... Every mushroom cloud / Has a silver lining.” Rack the points up for sharp-witted creativity.
No song will ever come out and forthrightly explain what it means. It’s like a refreshing poetry reading available on your iPod.
Even if a sad element emerges in any of the songs, the vibe consistently remains passive, allowing for tranquility and enjoyment in one round regardless of the lyrics’ tone.
Perhaps the best lesson that can be picked up is, “I’d rather pick flowers / Instead of fight / And rather than flaunt my style / I’d flash you a smile.”
And while Owl City seems to drift in its own little world of music, its poetry can have a place in the real world, too.
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