Not another “boy band”
The boys from down under are back! And they have turned into fine, young men. I'm not quite sure if that is a good thing, though. I feel like I've seen them grow right in front of my eyes. Time does fly fast. From singing about a girl looking perfect in American apparel underwear to rock-ballads about wishing he has amnesia to forget about the girl who broke his heart. The quartet from Australia has definitely come a long way. After touring with One Direction and being thrown into the whole "boy band scenario" mix, the guys are now putting one foot down and saying enough is enough. Of course, they are good pals with One Direction, however, they would cringe at the thought of being in the same "boy band" category as the lads from the U.K. With the release of their sophomore album, "Sounds Good Feels Good", they have definitely proven that they are a BAND. Not a BOY BAND. Although, not quite a "rock band" in every sense of the word too. In my humble opinion, I would categorize them as a pop-punk/pop-rock band. I did mention before that 5SOS's music has vestiges of Simple Plan and Blink 182, which was probably why I was drawn to them instantly.
I know it's kind of long overdue, but I still want to share my thoughts about the much-awaited second album and tell you if it lived up to its title: "Sounds Good, Feels Good."
MONEY - A strong opening to this very pop-punk album, with the words "Take my money!" yelled at the start along with the heavy guitar sounds and headache-inducing drumbeats. I could imagine the music video with the boys throwing cash all around - sort of like a pillow fight in a pajama party, but with money instead of pillows. According to producer John Feldman, he wrote that guitar riff, which "almost sounded more like a Bleachers track". He added, "It was a little more programmed. Ashton came in and was like, 'What if we had live drums?' and it became more like Beastie Boys, Sum-41. The band came in and made it their own." Another thing that made this first track even more awesome is the fact that the boys of 5SOS co-wrote it with Good Charlotte's Madden brothers.
SHE'S KINDA HOT - According to songfacts.com, this teenage anthem was the masterpiece of 5SOS drummer Ashton Irwin and guitarist Michael Clifford along with the brilliant team of Good Charlotte's Benji and Joel Madden. It was described as a "mischievous riot of an anthem - all crunchy guitars, high octane drums and a massive chorus." 5SOS drummer, Ashton Irwin, explained that this "song of revolution for the fans" is about "people who don't fit in and they're being pressured to fit in, in each verse. And then it goes to the chorus saying we'll be all right, because and we're the kings and the queens of the new broken scene, and we're all together in this." It's not really my fave track from the album, but it was worth a second and third listen.
HEY EVERYBODY!
PERMANENT VACATION - My fave track from this album! This song MUST be played in my funeral. No kidding. From the moment I heard the infectious guitar riff at the start, I was hooked! As usual, the genius behind this up-tempo song is guitarist Michael Clifford. The 5SOS guys were very vocal about their love for Green Day and this song is a proof of that. The lyrics are very catchy and easy to memorize. I could imagine myself singing this along with the crowd in their concert. I especially love the part: "Situation: no motivation, Destination: permanent vacation". I think I could relate to it as someone who has been doing the same monotonous job for 6 years now. I just want a permanent vacation.
JET BLACK HEART - The boys of 5SOS never disappoints when it comes to their ballads. I think they've already proven that with hits like "Amnesia" and "Beside You". This one is reminiscent of some emo-rock/ ballad-rock songs back in the year 2000. This time, guitarist Michael Clifford co-wrote it with the adorable bassist, Calum Hood and David Hodges who had worked with Evanescence and Christina Perri before.
CATCH FIRE - Another fave track! I cannot relate to it whatsoever, but it's such an awesome song that I cannot stop listening to it. From the plucky sound of the guitar, the heavy drum beats and strong bass line, to the melody and rhythm and of course, the vocalists' mellifluous voices - everything is just perfect. This song has that strong, heavy emo-pop-rock feel to it and I just love it!
SAFETY PIN - This track is quite likable and it reminds me of some of the tracks from their debut album. According to 5SOS producer John Feldman, this was written when they were still on tour with One Direction. He had "most of the song started - the melody and style." He also "wanted it to be a classic pop-punk song, but with pop production: wanted it to feel modern with strings, cut-up, glitchy sounds, but still feel authentic." The concept was about a relationship where two people were so different, it actually worked.
WASTE THE NIGHT - The song with the catchiest and most infectious hook! I just couldn't stop singing that "I don't wanna waste it, don't wanna waste it... don't wanna waste the night". Just a few simple words, but with a very strong and meaningful impact. I like how this mid-tempo, rhythmic tune isn't a complete "ballad" and yet it feels like the perfect love song for me. According to Feldman, it was drummer Ashton's idea to "put an organ effect on the synthesizer".
VAPOR - It's the perfect song to follow "Waste the Night". They are pretty much identical, imo. It has the same infectious and repetitive chorus, same beautiful keyboard sound and same “sweeps-you-off-your-feet” lyrics. It sets the mood for a picturesque and film-like moment. I'm definitely looking forward to this track's music video.
CASTAWAY - It's not too “rock”, despite the fact that Ashton apparently "drove the ship on how to make this a rock song". It's definitely emo-rock, imo. It has the right amount of rock, sprinkled with angst and some headbang-inducing rhythm and beats. The lyrics are pretty metaphorical and deep, compared to the other songs. I don't like it that much, but it does fit right in with the other songs, when it comes to sound and tempo.
THE GIRL WHO CRIED WOLF - The "eh eh oh" at the start sort of reminds me of Bastille's "Pompeii". Haha. Another one of my favorite tracks. According to producer John Feldman, he wrote this song ages ago. Moreover, it didn't mean back then what it meant now. The meaning changed over time. "Ultimately the song turned into being a kid, that feeling of, where do you fit in? And you're overlooked by teachers and parents and not really being seen," he said. As usual, Michael, being the musical genius that he was, suggested going into "this huge, Radiohead, 32-bar bridge and just jam". I think the theme of most songs in the Sounds Good, Feels Good album, like this one, is the repetitive and catchy hook. Michael singing "Is anyone there at all?" in an emotional voice that just tugs at my heartstrings.
BROKEN HOME - There's really no need to explain this song, is there? I've really connected to this song, as someone who comes from a broken home. I think it reminds me of The 1975's "Nana" - not in the musical sense - but in how it makes me feel whenever I listen to it. It sends shivers running up and down my spine and it just makes me feel sad and miserable. I like how the boys, no matter how naughty and playful they seem to be, could write something as deep and powerful as this one. Not surprisingly, 5SOS got a little help from the Madden brothers of Good Charlotte in writing this track. According to songfacts.com, "The song finds the guys singing about a teenage girl. Her parents are too wrapped up in their own marital problems to see the damage that their fighting is doing to their daughter." Apparently, since drummer Ashton was the only one who came from a broken home, there was a two-month debate on how authentic this song would be and whether they should even release it, seeing as the other band members all come from perfectly normal and loving families.
FLY AWAY - This is another song that has that 5SOS trademark sound from the first album. According to John Feldman, this "Foo Fighters, driving, guitar-driven rock tune" was written because it suddenly rained while they were in California and it suddenly felt like they were in London. So basically, it's just about the guys' idea of a perfect day. That means no rain whatsoever. The lyrics and melody were mostly thanks to bassist Calum. I guess I have to disagree with the boys here, though. I'm more of a "London weather" kind of girl, not a beach-loving, California girl. A little rain and a little wind - that's the perfect day for me.
INVISIBLE - Roy Stride, the songwriter behind one of my fave tracks from the first album, "Good Girls", co-wrote this song with John Feldman and the boys of 5SOS. This is definitely bassist Calum's "moment". It was his turn to shine. I think the solemn and heavy melody of the song blended perfectly with Calum's smooth and uniquely heartbreaking vocals. This kind of song is somewhat relatable for everyone. We all had that moment when we felt invisible, not just to the world, but even to our own family and friends.
AIRPLANES - Once again, producer and songwriter John Feldman never failed to impress with this very pop-punk tune, with a strong message behind the lyrics. He explained the meaning of the song in an interview: "To me, it was about being an artist living in the city. When I'm having a restful moment and I see that airplane, all of us can see it. The electrician, the plumber, whatever, we all see that airplane. That's the thing that connects us all: Looking up. Those are the things that connect us—not the moon or the stars or the sun, it's the airplanes, the cars. That's my connection to the world that I live in." Michael's incredible voice just carried this song. Zakk Cervini mentioned, "They're all amazing singers, that's known. They all have unique voices: Michael has the edgiest, punk voice. Luke has that smooth tone, Calum has a really unique voice, and Ashton's just an amazing singer." I couldn't agree more.
SAN FRANCISCO - This is more subdued and calmer than the other tracks. It still has that edge of a pop-punk song; however, it isn't as heavy and loud as the others. As a writer, I just love the descriptive and creative way they put the lyrics together. It's simply a song about wanting and wishing to go back to a certain time. The guys' voices were raw and fresh. I don't really listen to Mumford & Sons, but according to Matt Pauling, "This is a different one for the band, direction-wise. It almost sounds like a Mumford & Sons track." John Feldman added, "I made it very pop, and the guys stripped it back. Ashton wanted to do some cadence snare, a marching feel to make it as organic as they could."
OUTER SPACE / CARRY ON - I just love how these songs are connected with each other. The transition from the fading out sound of the wind and the ocean in "Outer Space" to the fading in sound of the organ in the beginning of "Carry On" - were just ingenious! This was definitely one of the most unique tracks I've ever heard so far. It's raw, fresh and distinctive. I was wondering who sang that high-pitched back-up vocals in the bridge; debating on whether it was Michael or Luke. Apparently, it was drummer Ashton. Haha. Carry On was written while they were looking at the ocean. Feldman admitted, "This idea just came across like, "Everything is going to be alright." When you're kids and you're standing up to the machine that is the record company that's investing millions of dollars into your band, and you've got a management company that's got the biggest band in the world that they also represent and you're standing up to them too, after five months of standing up for yourself for what you think is the right record, standing up against people who are much older and much more successful than you are, you get burned out." I just love that "choir" feel when they were singing "Nothing like the rain, when you're in outer space" towards the end.
All in all, the album was coherent, unique and daring, to say the least. It's heavier and stronger than their debut album. It's more meaningful. It's more mature, more emo and more punk. I'm not sure if I like it better than the first album. There were some LSS-worthy and on-loop-worthy ones, while there were some forgettable and ho-hum ones too. All I can say is that these boys' fame is indeed skyrocketing all the way into the outer space. Pun intended. Too bad I wasn't able to see them during their concert here last March 12.
credits: songfacts.com and fusetv.com