SIDEKICK WALK THE MOON ALBUM WINDOWS

None of these faults derail Talking is Hard, which is a solid and consistent consolidation of what Walk the Moon excelled on in their debut, though nothing is as stellar as вЂњAnna Sun.вЂќ Detractors will continue too begrudge the groupвЂ™s antics as too energetic and effervescent, a flaw of the entire genre. Moreover, the finish nearly underwhelms with вЂњWe Are the KidsвЂќ and вЂњCome Under the Covers,вЂќ though вЂњAquamanвЂќ concludes proceedings on a strong note coming close to capturing Savage GardenвЂ™s softer ballad moments. The chorus of вЂњUp 2 YouвЂќ is jarring, and вЂњDown in the DumpsвЂќ is as melodically cookie-cutter and as grating as indie-alternative pop can get with its synth arpeggios. The same themes of living in the moment and casual romance relatable to millennials abound a bit too frequently.

The ensuing вЂњSidekickвЂќ is funky, and along with вЂњAvalancheвЂќ and вЂњPortugalвЂќ shows restraint while keeping the albumвЂ™s heartbeat pulsing. What it lacks in originality, it compensates for in execution and remains a highlight. PetriccaвЂ™s keyboard and the guitar and bass lines of Eli Maiman and Kevin Ray provide lush, instrumental vehicles to match and carry the LP from beginning to end.ДЇrom the get-go, вЂњDifferent ColorsвЂќ is a resplendent, mid-tempo anthem thatвЂ™s begging for single treatment. The work of drummer Sean Waugaman is a plus, as there are a variety of percussion elements to serve as a metronome to Walk the MoonвЂ™s jubilant ventures, whether it be the glam rock strokes on the bridge of вЂњShut Up and DanceвЂќ or the tribal beats of вЂњWork This BodyвЂќ or вЂњSidekick.вЂќ Frontman and lead vocalist Nicholas PetriccaвЂ™s eccentricity on numbers such as вЂњUp 2 YouвЂќ and вЂњSpend Your $$$вЂќ reinforces the tonal diversity - much of it hailing from the 80s - thatвЂ™s found on Talking is Hard. True, itвЂ™s vibrant, but not quite annoyingly so, and Walk the Moon proves to be a master of its craft, featuring neurotic and clever pauses and tempo changes throughout. ItвЂ™s an addictive, pop-rock ditty, boasting 80s buildup verses and a racing, flirty chorus both in melody and lyrics: Oh, donвЂ™t you dare look back/Just keep your eyes on me/I said, вЂњYouвЂ™re holding backвЂќ/She said, вЂњShut up and dance with me.вЂќ ItвЂ™s a tad too saccharine for its own good, but overall, itвЂ™s difficult to complain about Walk the Moon here or on the groupвЂ™s follow-up.ДЄs a whole, Talking is Hard retains both its predecessorвЂ™s accessibility and relatively more sophisticated songwriting, making it a better listen than the average indie pop effort.

On 2014вЂ™s Talking is Hard, the much shorter lead single вЂњShut Up and DanceвЂќ should have no problem breaking into hit musicвЂ™s airwaves. The quartet can deliver some sonic sugar highs - see вЂњAnna Sun,вЂќ yet they can also demonstrate savvy dynamics beyond their peers - again, see вЂњAnna Sun.вЂќ The big single off their 2012 self-titled debut never quite got the attention it deserved, reaching the fringes of Top-40 radio, perhaps missing out on account of its over five-minute runtime. For every Awolnation and Bleachers, thereвЂ™s an Imagine Dragons and American Authors to prove that todayвЂ™s вЂњhipsterвЂќ music can be thoroughly uninspired and formulaic.Д¬incinnatiвЂ™s Walk the Moon treads the line between imitator and innovator (as much as the latter can be achieved these days). The scales have fallen from your eyes the novelty has finally worn thin.

SIDEKICK WALK THE MOON ALBUM WINDOWS

Sure, itвЂ™s been all windows down, summer playlists fun bellowing with your bros on road trips or giggling, bikini-clad on beaches with your girlfriends sipping mixed drinks, but after several years of this reverie, you discern that вЂњBest Day of My LifeвЂќ really sucks something awful. For indie pop, itвЂ™s being too damn bright and catchy. Every genre that gains popularity and becomes somewhat mainstream fare suffers a curse: Tropes are developed, recycled and regurgitated ad nauseum. Likewise, thereвЂ™s no substitute for subtlety in songwriting, but that hasnвЂ™t stopped the legion of indie and alternative pop acts from striving for an overabundance of exuberance. All the Skittles, Nerds and Jolly Ranchers were delectable until the bazillionth wrapper fell asunder to my feet, and with horror, I realized that the taste had become too sweet due to my lack of discipline. Without revealing my age, I'll confess that I consumed way too much candy this Halloween. Adult beverages may or may not be included.

Review Summary: Although there's not another 'Anna Sun,' Walk the Moon's sequel makes me want to road trip hard.

Sidekick walk the moon album