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Hey!Album Review
If you like the 2 other CDs reviewed this week, chances are, you'd better skip this one. It's not that it is bad…oh no, not at all, it just can get a couple of notches too noisy for an ordinary popster.
Hailing from Atlanta, this 3 piece outfit made up of Butch Walker ( vocalist, guitarist and songwriter ), bassist Jayce Fincher and drummer Slug (now that's a name I would not wish upon anyone) have quite a following as an 'indie' band, having twice won the award for "best rock band" and 4 Atlanta Local Music Awards. Hey! Album is their first major release with a major label and they have put out an album that is consistent in its energy - it vibrates throughout the whole album…not even letting up in the ballads.
To classify Marvelous 3 would be hard for whilst they look like The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, their sound can range from Kiss to Bon Jovi to Nirvana. Their Blur-like English accent is even more confusing. Aren't they an American band. What's with the highly 'camped-up' Brit accent guys?
Butch Walker is a rock writer who will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in the future; he has a knack for hard driving rhythms which easily slide into grunge. Whilst many other rock band strive for this effect, Marvelous 3 achieves it with ease, thanks to Walker.
The first single, Freak Of The Week (about people starting to worry about how they're being perceived) contains smartly funny lyrics, even if the chorus sounds a little passe. The infusion of the Bon Jovi-style macho wails (and we're talking about Bon Jovi's Living On A Prayer days here!). Other highlights include Until You See and Indie Queen - a track that gives an expose of the music industry in general.
All of the 12 tracks here would make very impressive live performance material and performing live is right up Marvelous 3's alley. They started as a live band and performing live together for so long has ensured a musical tightness that is quite rare for debut albums. The guys have also matured musically on the road resulting in the ease and experience that is evident here.
Whether you'd appreciate this album depends on where your musical mood swings and you might wanna watch the volume at which you crank this. Your neighbours might not like it.
Whilst there is not much of an identity right now, what is great is that this band, if this album is anything to go by, should be able to further mature into a pop-rock phenomenon. They showcase a lot of attitude and rhythmic skills. I'd like to think the final emergence of a cross between Duran Duran, Nirvana and Bon Jovi. Now wouldn't that be cool?
Be Warned…you have to like your music LOUD!