Print Edition: July 2, 2014
Hedley
Wild Life
After the Canadian release of every Hedley album, I have always been hesitant on variations of their sound. Yet, they manage to leave a lasting impression every time. Their latest album, Wild Life, is no different. The release includes the singles “Anything,” “Crazy for You,” and “Heaven in our Headlights.” There are tracks that are extremely catchy, such as “Anything” and “Dreaming’s for Sleeping.” However, there are slower songs that are reminiscent of their previous release, Storms, like “Wild Life” and “All the Way.” Being a big fan of the drummer, Chris Crippin, it was slightly disappointing that synthesizers were heavily utilized in place of drums. However, lyrically, the tracks are phenomenal. There has been significant growth from their first release, Hedley in 2005 to Wild Life. After seeing some of the songs performed live at their show in Abbotsford, I’m reluctant to say the album is amazing. The studio productions do not do the live performances justice, yet it is still worth listening to. I am anticipating what the band comes up with next.
Luke Bryan
Spring Break 6 …Like We Ain’t Ever
Luke Bryan is to country as Justin Bieber was to pop in the days of “Baby.” After listening to him on the radio for the millionth time, I decided to actually pick up some of Bryan’s releases. Included in this was the Spring Break 6 …Like We Ain’t Ever, an EP released on March 11, 2014. The extended play is in the line of annual releases commemorating spring break. As suggested by the name, Spring Break 6 …Like We Ain’t Ever is Bryan’s sixth EP to date and features the single “She Get Me High.” Although it is not the best lyrically, the songs featured are catchy, upbeat, and fun to listen to. I was most drawn to “She Get Me High” and “Good Lookin’ Girl.” Compared to Bryan’s previous releases, Spring Break 6 …Like We Ain’t Ever is similar in nature. Other than the title designating it for spring break, the tracks can easily pass for being on one of his full-length studio albums. Overall, it is a solid EP. I can understand the hype around Luke Bryan — he is good at what he does.
Chromeo
White Women
After not releasing an album in four years, this Canadian duo brings their electro-funk beats back with White Women. The first track, “Jealous (I Ain’t With It),” is refreshingly upbeat and honest. “I get jealous / but I’m too cool to admit it / when the fellas / talk to my girl I ain’t with it” is the main hook in the song. It gets stuck in your head, mostly because of how repetitive it is. The album in its entirety sounds extremely similar to the old Sonic the Hedgehog game soundtrack. “Fall Back 2U” is one of the most unusual songs on the album, with great instrumental breaks that make the song memorable. Unfortunately — with the repetitiveness of the lyrics throughout this album — if it weren’t for the instrumental ingenuity of their songs, this album would be a complete flop. Even though the genre itself is based around relying on the instrumental aspects instead of the lyrical, to really set this album apart from any others in its category, there would need to be a much stronger meaning to their lyrics. All in all, White Women is a fun, easy-listening album.
