American pop-rockers Motion City Soundtrack released their fourth studio album, “My Dinosaur Life” on Jan 19.
The major label debut became highly anticipated after it was announced last summer and has since been well received by fans.
Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, who also released their record “Commit to This Memory”, produced the album.
It is always rather interesting when a band sticks with a producer for more then one record, usually bringing back a similar sound.
However, with Hoppus, “My Dinosaur Life” has much more of a fresh sound and lets the band show the world what they could do, without having too many production techniques get in the way.
The lyrics are much more brutally honest, dealing with lead singer Justin Pierre’s battles with alcoholism and prescription drugs.
From the beginning of the first track “Worker Bee,” the album’s tone is set with lyrics that explain that Justin and the band have overcome their problems.
The album continues from one upbeat track to the next, but the lyrics are what is truly the masterpiece of the record.
Perhaps it will be the promotion team behind Motion City Soundtrack that deserve a gold star for virally getting the word out – releasing the song “Disappear” on the band’s website in October, followed by “Her Word’s Destroyed My Planet” on Spin.com a month later.
People wouldn’t have cared as much if the songs weren’t so solid.
The only real complaint is the disappearance of the Moog that had become a signature sound in some of MCS’s early records. Maybe it’s just proof that the band has since grown up.
Also disapointing is that the album lasts only 40 minutes. After the final track ends, it leaves you wanting more. But it’s the best compliment a band can receive. It’s better than hearing that your album dragged.
Some of my picks would have to be “Pulp Fiction” and “Stand Too Close.” But it’s highly recommended to check this album in full. It’s poppy. It’s fun.
This album will be a wave that the band will be able to ride for a big portion of this year. Lets just see what Motion City Soundtrack can do in 2010.
