There are plenty of if-onlys in life. If only David Beckham hadn’t got sent off against Argentina in the World Cup, if only my ex-girlfriend wasn’t a lesbian, that kind of thing. If only the second half of ‘Let’s Talk About Feelings’ was as good as the first…
In short, half of this CD is the stuff that dreams are made of. The opening salvo of ‘After You My Friend,’ ‘Gun In Your Hand’ and ‘Leave The Light On’ are as good as any three songs you’ve ever heard on a punk album. They are simply that good. What Joey Cape lacks in height he sure makes up in stature. OK, his vocals may well be an acquired taste, but there is no doubt that this band shit out quality songs without even trying. Anyone who saw the band’s set at the Deconstruction Festival this year will certainly know what I’m on about.
But to be honest, after this amazing start, things just aren’t the same again. Sure, ‘Change Despair’ is a great song, but it is nothing in comparison to most of ‘Double Plaidinum.’ And ‘Train’ is distinctly average. ‘Hurry Up And Wait’ is sheer brilliance. But it’s way too short, clocking in at around 30 seconds. Another air of disappointment looms.
‘Everything Turns Grey’ is nothing special either, and suddenly the euphoric mood you found yourself in after the astounding intro, you’re now left bewildered, and wondering where exactly the next good song will be found. ‘Love Story’ is ok, much more of a return to form. It’s certainly nothing in comparison to the first three, but it is far superior to the dross that has just eminated from my speakers. The classic Lagwagon drum pattern returns and it just has that Joey Cape feel to it. ‘Messengers’ is alright too, even if it does seem to just plod along a bit.
‘The Kids Are All Wrong’ is a piano-led ditty, which then kicks in to ‘May 16‘ which sounds wicked. A cracking song, classic Lagwagon, but it does make you think why some of the other sub-standard songs are so sub-standard. Ending with ‘Owen Meaney,’ this record kind of just tails out. There’s a violin in there somewhere I swear. But it’s just an average filler track, unfortunately a sight that merely sums up half of this record.
This is certainly a tale of two halves. I’ll be honest and say that this record doesn’t hold that many special memories for me, and that this may blight my decision to reward it with just three stars. But to be honest, this is a bit of a disappointment by Lagwagon‘s usually exceptionally high standards. It isn’t all that bad, I’ll be honest, and fans of the band will no doubt love it, but for the average punk-rock Joe there is certainly no reason why you should buy this.
Download it instead…
Paul Savage