Scream HelloI really enjoyed Scream Hello's previous EP, 2008's 'Smart & Stupid'. So, as you could imagine, I was pretty stoked to get this CD for review a couple weeks ago. Perhaps I set my expectations a bit high or perhaps Scream Hello haven't found a way to keep their listener interested in anything longer than an EP's worth of songs. Whichever the case, I obviously was a little disappointed in the full-length from this New Jersey band. It still has some great songs on it; however, it has a few hiccups throughout its ten tracks.
Opening tracks, "Thirty-Five Plums" is right on track with the band's previous work as an infectious power pop-punk song that is reminiscent of 90's pop-punk bands Superchunk and Braid. The second song, "You Have Good Taste" is another strong tune that leans towards indie rock with excellent guitar work and crisp and clear singing from James Caverly. The third track, "Business Ethics", is an extremely short, schizophrenic burst that does nothing but break the momentum gained through the first two songs. The band attempts a melodic hardcore approach on this track and fails miserably.
"The Kicker" gets things going back in a positive manner until you realize after a few minutes that the song is STILL the same tune. If this song were cut by at least two minutes, it would've been one of the best tracks on this release. After all is said and done this song clocks in around the six-minute mark. It's not unexpected though, as the last EP featured a couple songs that dragged on for too long, which I guess is fast becoming a regular Scream Hello trait. "Bullets" is a better attempt at the melodic hardcore genre and will get no complaints out of me other than the fact that it is a simply mediocre song. "Golden Anniversary" is another so-so offering that features nothing worth complaining or cringing at, but again falls into the category of mediocrity. "Cocoon" starts to drag the album out of the mediocrity category with a slow and relaxing build-up into a simplistic yet affective track that again showcased some intricate guitar work.
Unfortunately "We Don't Exist" is yet another hiccup on this release that hampers the overall feel of this record. Yet another long and dragged-out song that manages to feature some cringe-worthy spoken word segments as well as some downright brutal growling vocals that one can only imagine is a futile attempt at injecting some hardcore intensity into the song. This track is nothing more than a pretentious and confused attempt at creating an epic song that falls far short of even the aforementioned mediocre songs. If you're keeping track at home, that makes both the shortest ("Business Ethics") and the longest ("We Don't Exist") songs on this record, the worst songs! Makes me think Scream Hello should stick to the traditional 3-4 minute pop-punk song structure.
Fortunately, Scream Hello save the best two songs for last on this CD. Both tracks make you forget some of the lackluster affairs that preceded them. "Vinegar And Baking Soda" was one of those aforementioned songs that appeared on the 'Smart & Stupid' EP that dragged on a little too long. If you go back and read my review for that release, I stated that "V&BS" was the best song on that EP but it may have been a little too long. Well, Scream Hello reworked the song and cut a little off the running time and I feel that this revised version is stronger than the original. Again it takes top honors as best song on this CD and really makes me regret all the negative things I just said about other songs on this album. But once again, knowing that Scream Hello can create such an excellent song makes me more critical of the mediocre and downright bad songs offered on this release. The final track, " 20, 21" is another strong effort that harkens back to the band's more memorable songs from all three releases.
I still would say I'm a fan of Scream Hello, I just wish they would concentrate on writing perfect 3 minute power, pop-punk songs with that indie influence that makes them so affective. This band has the talent to be an unforgettable band for years to come. My opinion is that they try hard not to sound redundant and that works against them at times. I understand most bands don't want to make the same songs over-and-over again, but I don't see any pop punk bands or indie rock bands reinventing the wheel these days, so perhaps this band should stick to what they do best. There's nothing wrong with being ambitious and experimental, however, when you don't implicate these traits properly as a musical performer, you can come off as pretentious at times.
Rating: 3/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: "Vinegar And Baking Soda", "20, 21" & "You Have Good Taste"
Synopsis: Four excellent songs, four mediocre tracks and two complete duds isn't too bad for any young band, however, I know this band can create a pop-punk masterpiece one of these days. I still would recommend getting this album if you're into Superchunk, Jets To Brazil, Braid, etc… However, don't set your expectations too high on this release, enjoy it and hope the next Scream Hello record is that masterpiece!