I faintly remember saying I won't actually get into
reviews of each album by this band. Mainly because they're CD's and mainly
because this could mean five very long posts but I figured what the hell. I
love them so why not. Starting with the lastest album and working my way
towards the first one. Possibly.We'll see, might just be this one post.
It's pretty much impossible for me to define my music
tastes. Do I love metal, classic rock, hard rock, heavy metal, country, pop,…a
bit of everything I'd say. Maybe some genres prevail but really even that
dependes on so many factors. But I think it's safe to say that pop punk and
punk rock are a big thing in my house. Green day, Blink 182, All time low, Neck
deep, (tons more), all my boys and I love their music so much. So this band
this post is about is just the same fun pop punk band that I grew up with.
Looking back it's crazy how much they've shaped my life, helped me grow, feel
less alone and understand certain things. It's crazy to think how music really
does save lives.
Simple plan is one of those bands that writes lyrics that
''kids'' like I can really relate to. And you know what? It feels SO nice being
understood. When nobody else does, the music will right?
First time I saw them live was eight years ago and saying
I didn't cry the entire show would be lying. It was a big deal for me, I had a
hotel booked in Vienna, stayed there for like a week. Not stalking the band
mind you (though I should) but just having some fun, seeing the museums,…life
used to be good no? Anyways, seeing them for that first time, I was so nervous
that in that hotel room I put my clothes inside out, used nailpolish instead of
eyeliner remover and probably painted more of my fingers than nails. Seems silly
now, but that was something for me. I was eighteen at the time and was about to
see the band I basically listened to since I was like nine.
I also made some friends because of them, met them while
waiting in front of the venue. Such nice people. Just proof that ''Astronauts''
really are super nice. I never made it to the meet and greet though and y'all
are gonna laugh now but really I don't have the balls to go. I know, I know.
Believe me I know it's insane but honest to god I am dead scared of making a
fucking idiot out of myself. Lol. They're just people yeah, really nice and
sweet people that is, but like, put me in a room with my heroes and I choke.
This is the same situation as it would be if I'd ever stood in front of Gerard
Way. My god. I think I'd forgot any and all languages besides pig squeel. Ugh.
How can I tell a certain super star actor that he's a dick (It was totally by
accident I'm still super sorry about that) but can't face my favourite
musicians? I keep telling myself next time, next time, and honestly, next
concert will be my fourth one (when and if it happens) and I think it's about
time to get over my fear no?
Alright the album.
Did I mention I have a signed copy which means their finger prints are
all over and oh my god? Like literally, they touched it! (ignore the crazy
fangirl). I was beyond upset when the new album didn't come to our dumb
country, which gets about as much new stuff as a priest sees *****. Which
should be zero but I think we know how things work right? Anyways, I decided to
wait before ordering online if only, maybe, perhaps our stores get it by
accident. They never did, but boy am I glad I waited because then I got my own
copy at their last concert I saw. And did I mention that it's SIGNED! And that
this was also the show at which I got David's guitar pick? Like literally stage
used guitar pick, which HE himself threw off stage. You guys, that's gotta be
one of my most prized possesions. The merch guy selling them at the gig tho
''oh cool you want a CD? They come signed by the band you know'' and I'm just
like ''I do, I got instagram''. Stalker much? Lol.
I loved this band way back in the day when MTV used to be
good. Yes kids I am old and yes MTV used to be good. You know it played Motley
Crue, Skid Row, Guns N' Roses and Warrant like all the time? And now it plays
crap like Billie whatever she is and things that are a disgrace for music, like
Justin Bieber but lets not go there right now.
I think SP are really the band that got me into this
whole pop punk scene, I didn't listen to much of it before them. Green day
only. But them working and playing with different bands really got me into it
much more. And they've been a constant
in my life. My solid ground if you will. People come and go, friendships and
families fall apart, things change like a god damn wheel of fortune is turning
but this band has been there for me through thick and thin making me feel
better, less alone and mostly less anxious.
Seeing them for the second and third time was just as
special. People say ''oh but you've seen the band already, why go again?''.
Uhm, because I love their music? Because they make new music? Because no show
is really the same? Second time I drove to Vienna on the day of the concert and
there was an accident on the road making us late and if you think I didn't lose
it with nerves you're wrong. I thought I'd jump out of the car and ran to the
venue. I'd be totally capable of it too. Seriously I was a wreck the second
time too, crying before the show even started. Got to meet the singer of the
support band though. That was great. We took some pictures, talked a bit, he
gave me their CD. Which actually somehow brings us back to the meet and greet,
a friend of mine went, we talked after the show how it was. The hugging?! I
honestly think I'd pass out, why must they be so charming and adorable and love
hugging fans? Ugh.
I'm sorry but you guys on the second show, there's a
break in the songs where Pierre always asks ''is anyone here from Canada?'' and
like a bunch of other countries, random, European. And on my second concert he
actually asked ''who here is from Slovenia?'' if you think that didn't give me
a full blown cardiac arrest you are wrong. Really wrong. And possibly the best
part of the show was locking eyes with David and having him smile right at me.
Actually, how am I even alive today? By all natures laws I should be dead.
Alright I suppose I need to dial it way back down and
write some words about the album. It's super catchy and fun that's obviously a
no brainer. First song on this album is called ''Opinion overload'' and it's a
strong track with a lot of heavy guitar parts. The song is heavier than what
we've been used to from the band and quite literally it's a big huge fuck you
to anybody who tries to tell you what to do, what to think, who to be. It's a
very loud, catchy song, with a statement and it makes you excited for the rest
of the album, I can't imagine a better opening song. Not just theirs but in
general. I believe it was actually born out of rage towards critics, who never
liked Simple plan much. I mean, I did say several times that critics are
fucking assholes didn't I?
Songs such as ''Boom!'' (did y'all see the music video?
It features so many of my favourites!), ''Nostalgic'', ''P.S. I hate you'', ''Kiss
me like nobody'' is watching (we all have someone to who we'd like to dedicate
both of these last two songs to don't we? Actually, sadly I have more people
for that second to last one but alright), they are total Warped tour or for us
Europeans summer festival anthems, and if you turn it up loud and close your
eyes, it's like being smack in the middle of one of them, instead of stuck in
the cold boring EU. These songs have this fun vibe and fast punk tempo while
still remaining just pop rock enough to be a perfect blend for a break from
heavier music.
''Singing in the rain'' feels a bit out of place but it's
a great song none the less and I LOVED the video. And you know which video I
also LOVED? ''I don't wanna go to bed''. Oh my god is that one fun or what? The
song is catchy, makes me look at David and think ''yeah well I'd rather go to
bed with you than alone too but here we are in a matching onesie with my cat,
eating Nutella with a spoon and watching a movie about Ted Bundy'' don't judge
me. Anyways the video is a parody to Baywatch. Y'all know Baywatch right? Or am
I really THAT old? Lol. I loved the whole slow running, the lifeguard thing
they got going on and the best, literally the best part is the ending where
David Hasselhoff goes ''my god this is going to be huge in Germany''.
Hilarious.
Another song with a great vibe is ''I don't wanna be sad''.
Because it's just an anthem to actually deciding to take your life into your
hands. It says it like it is. Yeah life sucks sometimes, and yeah there will be
bad days but fuck those bad days, don't let them get you down. And that is such
an important trait to have. To know life can get messy but to also know it can
be amazing. The song is fun and cheery it just sort of fills you with positive
energy and makes you feel like ''hell, maybe everything will be alright after
all''. This song just like the ones mentioned above tie together themes of
love, positive vibes, not giving a flying fuck about unwanted opinions or
advice (or critics) and I believe they have this nice flow to them, they flow
nicely through the entire album.
''Everything sucks'' and ''I refuse'' are two more fast
paced songs, with a slight pop vibe but still heavy and fast enough for punk
rock fans to enjoy. And also both with a great message. Everything does suck
when that someone you love isn't around right?
And ''I refuse'' is brilliant in it's own because hell I refuse things
written in this song too. I refuse to be told how to live, I refuse to live by
other peoples rules, I refuse to live under a certain dictature,''I refuse to
apologise for who I am and I refuse to ever let somebody say I can't'', I
refuse all of it. And this song gets it. They get it. The message, the life,
the point of it all.
Then there's the ballads. First one is ''Perfectly
perfect''. Which I gotta say I was kinda hoping is a word play to their big hit
single ''Perfect''. That would be amazing don't you think? The way All time low
reference their old verses in their new songs. Anyways, it's not like that,
it's a love song which is just equally amazing and the official video made me
sob bullets I am not even lying. It's beautiful, and maybe a little overlooked.
I am telling you if any man played this song to me I am his forever. It's
touching, heartfelt, and you can feel the love not just the love which the song
is about but the love that was put into creating it.
Then you got ''Problem child'' which is closest to
continiung the themes from ''Perfect''. The band still isn't over their
childhood problems it seems and they're still sort of struggling with certain
topics conected to their families. Trust me I can relate. There's no other
force as strong to either lift you up or bury you, like your family can do. The
song is very melodic and very different. Just as the last song is ''I dream
about you''. I gotta tell you it's not my favourite at all and I tend to turn
the CD off before the last song starts. Why? Simple reason. It's a duet with
Juliet Simms and quite honestly I can't stand her, not her entire persona or
her voice. And I just imagine how much better this song would be with Cassadee
Pope even if Pierres and Juliets voice actually function okay with each other.
Y'all I'm sorry if you're fans of Juliet but this is just my opinion. Else the
song is just very different from everything they ever did and different in a
good way, it's slow, it's gentle, melodic, goose bumps worthy song.
Generally this is an album you'd expect these boys to put
out with a tiny bit of surprise added to the mix. I'm torn between loving that
and wishing a change. I don't know. A good thing that works shouldn't be
replaced right? But at what point do you crave a change? I don't know really. But
point is this albums is amazing just like all the rest are and worth it's space
on your shelf or iPod. It's actually the album I love most, they show how they
love eachother as brothers on it, they are a ''team'' and knowing all this
could be taken from me, us, makes me love it that much more. They had their
issues but they struggled through the storm and came out as fucking winners and
I love them so much. At this point I'd like to finish up this post by saying how
proud I am of David, he had his demons but he worked through them and came out stronger
in the end and it just really fills me with some sort of warmth and positive
feeling when I see him smile these days.
P.S. Is it creepy that I know who's who by looking at
their butts?
No comments:
Post a Comment