Post by ledvedderman on May 12, 2009 14:29:52 GMT -5
Better Than Ezra- Paper Empire
Better Than Ezra return for their first release since 2005's Before the Robots. Paper Empire could easily turn out to be the best BTE album so far of the new millenium. The 2001 release Closer may be the perfect summer road trip album, and Robots may be the bridge between Closer and How Does Your Garden Grow?, but PE falls closer between BTR and HDYGG. While the new album doesn't get as experimental as HDYGG, it sure has it's moments of dance pop (Hell No! and Nightclubbing).
The album kicks off with "Absolutely Still", a song Kevin Griffin co-wrote and was first released by Val Emmich a couple of years ago. The song is radio ready and could make an impact over the Summer. One thing that might help the song, is it reminds me a lot of Taylor Swift's "Love Story" musically.
"Turn Up The Bright Lights" is as close to U2 as I've ever heard BTE get. This song would sound good in a huge arena. Personally, I think this should be the opening song on the tour this summer. It would be a sure bet to get the crowds into the shows right from the start.
"Just One Day" is another song Kevin co-wrote that has already been released by another artist. Jeremy Lister released a version of this song (along with "Fit" from Paper Empire ) on his Just One Day EP in 2007. If this song doesn't make a CW or ABC drama television show, I'd be amazed. The chorus of "What would you do/What would you say/If everyone you ever loved came back for just one day" is one that is everyone can relate to in one form or another.
"The Loveless" is a song that first popped up on Kevin Griffin's myspace page late in 2008. Originally it was intended for a solo album that he was putting together (like a lot of tracks on this album). Maybe it's because I've heard this song for a while and it doesn't have that new "feel" to it that I don't really care for it. I think in time I will appreciate it more. It does have some beautiful strings in the song and features a great use of a choir.
"All In" is the first experimental track on the album. It sort of reminds of "It's Only Natural" from the previous album. Just a fun, not typical BTE song thrown in early in the disc. While it won't be winning any Grammy's for "Song of the Year", it's still a fun song and seems to grow after each listen.
"Fit" is another song that was recorded and released by Jeremy Lister. This song has the HDYGG? feel to it. Beautiful use of strings and a soaring chorus that reminds me a lot of the title track from 2001's Closer.
"Hell No!" seems to be to PE what "Juicy" was to BTR. It's the song where after the first listen you think, "what the blue hell was that?". Kevin uses a pitch perfect effect on his vocals for the verses (like any pop song on the radio it seems). This song could easily make a splash at radio if it gets released as a single. If not, it will make a great song for ESPN college football season. In fact, it's so good for college football it includes a funny breakdown from Griffin giving a pep talk as either a coach or a drill sergent.
If there was ever a song where I listened to it and could say, "Now that's a Better Than Ezra song" it would be "Hey Love". Again, this song was origianally supposed to be for a Griffin solo album but I can't blame him for wanting more people to hear it through BTE. This one is worth the price of the album. Even after six months, it still sounds fresh.
"Nightclubbing" is BTE's ultimate dance tune. Again, it won't be winning any lyrical contests it's still a really driving dance track that by the end you can't help but feel yourself getting pumped up. If you're curious as to what the song is about, it's about..."Nightclubbing". There's a shock. The end of the song is fantastic and it almost has a bit of an Arcade Fire feel to it.
"Black Light" keeps the dance floor burning. I haven't heard too many songs in my day about smoking it up in your room with your sister, so this one easily wins "best song about smoking it up with your sister". Great dance track with a driving acoustic guitar throughout the song. If I had to compare this song to any other BTE song, it would be "Extra Ordinary". (Another KG solo song)
"Wounded" is a song that we all got early through Kevin Griffin's myspace page. It, along with "The Loveless", never really settled in with me. I'll say that the chorus is very catchy and the song is growing on my slowly. However, it just isn't quite up to my BTE standards. Probably my least favorite on the album.
Finally we come to "I Just Knew". This is the first song that Kevin put up on his myspace for a solo record he was working on. I heard it and thought maybe he was working on a Ray LaMontagne type of solo album...which would be awesome. The BTE version of the song is much more piano driven and features an electric lead guitar and an extended outro. This song will go down as one of my favorite BTE tunes ever. Amazing lyrics. I could see this being a "first dance" song in the future. Along with "Hey Love", this song is worth the price of admission right here.
So there you have it. Paper Empire is another great album by Better Than Ezra. While it may not be on par with How Does Your Garden Grow? (which I wouldn't expect. HDYGG is one of the most underrated albums in the 90's), it is a step up from Before The Robots. Where Robots suffered from being all over the place, there is a general theme to this album. This album could go down as BTE's "dance" (for lack of a better word) album. If you get the chance to see them on tour, please go. You won't regret it. They're one of the best live bands going now and will leave you wanting more.