My Amazon Reviews: American Authors "Oh, What A Life"

Writing Their Own Story
3 Out Of 5 Stars

I first caught American Authors via a commercial for the MLB Fan Cave which used "Best Day Of My Life" as the background music. It was so happy and infectious that I had to Shazam the commercial to find out the artist. That, in turn, lead me to the American Authors and their debut CD "Oh, What a Life."

As seems to be the trend these days, folk tendencies are the next big thing and American Authors lean in that direction. "Luck" (as in 'I make my own...') is pretty good pop, as well. In fact, if you take away the acoustics and factor in their creamy harmonies ("Think About It," "Love"), these guys could easily pass as a boy band. That's meant as a compliment, as the hooks are catchy and the melodies exude pure pop instincts. You'll get that on the playful (and more electric) "Hit It."

Just as a warning, "Best Day of My Life" is the best thing here, and if you bought their debut EP, all 5 of those songs are there so you'll be paying for half of "Oh, What a Life" twice. But for the moment, I'll indulge in "Best Days" and eagerly await the follow-up to see where American Authors head next.

    

My Amazon Reviews: Boys Like Girls "Crazy World"

A second chance at the first time?
3 Out Of 5 Stars

I can't remember a three album arc like the one taken by Boys Like Girls in recent memory. Starting life as a hooky emo-power-pop band with their gold selling debut, their second album had some more of the same, but you could feel the slickness settling in (especially when the ubiquitous Taylor Swift stopped by for a duet). Now they're up for the third album, "Crazy World." If you fell in love with the band that played "The Great Escape," that band is gone. In it's place is a slick pop band with more in common with Train or Matchbox 20, while getting up to their ankles in country pop.

"Crazy World" is plagued by some of the problems the other two albums did; the songwriting remains inconsistent but often hits a hook that you can't get away from. Heck, they even crib from the Backstreet Boys in "Life Of The party" when they announce "Boys Like Girls is back!" There's also the big love ballad, complete with strings and over-emoting, in "Hey You." It's such a formulaic piece that I can see it picked up for an episode of "Glee," and that's not necessarily a compliment.

Then there's those aforementioned forays into country-pop. If the title "Red Cup Hands Up Long Brown Hair" doesn't automatically give it away, one listen and you'll be wondering why they just didn't hand it over to Taylor Swift or Lady Antebellum and be done with it. Same with the title track, which is one banjo short of being ready for Jason Aldean. They've moved away from their roots entirely, but still deliver the guilty pleasures of a ballad like "Stuck In The Middle" or (despite my previous misgivings) the title song.

I still think Boys Like Girls have a future. They've crafted enough memorable material over three albums to have a decent best of at their disposal. They just have to decide who they want to be. "Crazy World" is like a ride on a schizophrenic train.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Nsync "Greatest Hits"

The Boys in The Band
3 Out Of 5 Stars

As the other half of the 90's Boy Band mania, NSYNC battle with the Backstreet Boys for most unavoidable presence on the radio. For three albums plus a holiday release, NSYNC at one point sold the most albums ever in a first week of release ("No Strings Attached") and ultimately gave us the lone solo star from the 90's boy band movement in Justin Timberlake. This collection culls 12 songs from their 3 studio albums, one of them remixed ("Girlfriend"). And like most family-safe pop, the formula is standard. Whitebread Hip-Hop along with heavily harmonized ballads. They'd also add a little Latin Flair ("Girlfriend" and "Thinking of You").

Like so many constructed bands, they also counted on a slew of super-producers Max Martin, The Neptunes, and more, although Timberlake soon bagan exerting his desire for writing and producing (on "Celebrity"). JC Chesez was also writing, but it was getting obvious who the breakout was soon going to be (the cover of "Celebrity" had the rest of the band walking behind Timberlake). Granted, this is fluffy stuff, but at its best, like the driving "Bye Bye Bye" or the jittery "Pop," Nsync is peanut butter of the ears. Probably most effective is when they took one more shot at maturity when they teamed up with Gloria Estefan for the title song in the film, "Music of My Heart."

Timberlake bolted after the third studio album, other former Mousekateer singer JC Chasez attempted a solo career but has not done much, Lance Bass came out of the closet, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick are trying their hands at acting. Other than Timberlake, you probably have not heard much about the rest of the team.