How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
Advantages:
fantastic melodies and singalong choruses
Disadvantages:
lyrics are a bit drab sometimes
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Pixieish guitars and weezeresque melodies make this, the rentals second album, a joy to behold the receptors of any human ears, and maybe animals' too. It is plainly obvious by the content of this album that Matt Sharp (the writer/producer) spent and loved a long hiatus in Spain or thereabouts. The songs, although not lyrically profound, refer to lazy days and hot nights in the sun drenched European country. "Barcelona" is a direct and honest love of a city that was seemingly partied dry by the band on their apparent nightly binges of jumping around and having a good time. Although the music is not exactly groundbreaking per se, the tunes sound refreshingly different and are tinged with singalong choruses ("Hello, hello") and luscious melodies ("My head is in the sun"). Plenty of guest appearances, most notably from Blur's Damon Albarn on "Big Daddy C", add to the variety of a band that has changed it's line up considerably since it's 1994 debut. If you listen to this album then i can guarantee that you will feel elation, depression, anger and warm personality throughout, making it an eclectic collection of songs. Put simply, this album will make you feel better. It will make the greyness of brainwashing dance music so apparent that your eagerness to visit the garbage bins with your "garage" cds will become paramount in your life priorities. The Rentals really do require your attention.
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