O-Town - O-Town

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Music reviews of O-Town

Music Review: O-Town debut exceeds expectations
Rating: 4 Stars

1. "Liquid Dreams"- Since I first heard this song when the boys performed it at the Miss America pageant (where a technical snafu left each band member singing in a different key), the less said about it, the better. This is basically a silly song, that seems to have been composed strictly to accompany a music video. Each singer does get the opportunity to showcase his individual vocal stylings during the number,which is its saving grace.

2. "Every Six Seconds"- Now THIS is the way to kick off a debut album! A fast-paced selection based on the oft-recited pop-psychology "fact" that men think about the opposite sex every six seconds. The song has an energy and fire unlike any we've heard the boys perform before, and they tear into it with abandon. I challenge you to sit still for the number's duration.

3. "Girl"- What this cut lacks in inspired lyrics, it more than makes up for in stunning harmonies. The standard sentiment of "I want to have you, I need you, girl" comes alive as the five distinct voices virtually blend into one.

4. "Sexiest Woman Alive"- This song combines portions of the previous two to make for a festive tune with its own harmonic blends. The lyrics degenerate here and there, as when the woman in question is soon to be made a "wifey", but it is so easy to get caught up in the rhythm that these lapses are easily dismissed.

5. "Love Should Be A Crime"- Reminiscent of many `angry lover' songs popularized in the `80s, this song is elevated to a new level by the rough-edged, gritty vocals of Jacob Underwood, whose distinctive rock stylings help separate the group from being lost in the ever-growing melange of teen bands.

6. "Shy Girl"- This is the hidden gem of this CD. At first listen, this song about trying to bring a bashful girl out of her shell seems like nothing particularly impressive. On the second sampling, the clever lyrics and addictive rhythm begin to jump out. After the third time, you'll find it impossible to resist singing this one all day long. Erik Estrada's uniquely compelling vocals are also evident here. A treat.

7. "All Or Nothing"- If the previous was the debut's hidden gem, this is surely its most apparent. Without question, this powerful ballad stands head and shoulders above all other selections, and considering its companions, that's saying a lot. Using the resonant voice of Dan Miller, this piece launches with heartbreaking lyrics that reach right into the listener's heart and pull. You will need a moment to exhale after the last verse.

8. "Sensitive"- This song has just enough lift to allow the listener to recover from the previous devastating ballad, but not so much that it shocks the system. A gentle energy with pulsing vocals make this the perfect buffer between the cuts which straddle it.

9. "The Painter"- A very rich and appealing ballad which compares various artistic callings to a loving lad's inability to express his emotions. Compelling lyrics and an almost hypnotic melody make this piece a quick favorite. Very nice.

10. "Take Me Under"- One of the highly anticipated numbers written by Jay Underwood, it seems lacking when compared to the rawer version previewed in its initial recording session showcased on the television series. Unnecessary extras are tacked on, such as the ridiculous intro by a sultry lorelei, which may have been meant to make the song appear more polished, but only detracts from it. An unfortunate example of how excessive studio "finishing" of a song can smother much of its original strength and sincerity.

11. "All For Love" & 12. "Baby I Would"- Placing these two at the end of the album was a wise choice, in that they were bored into our heads with a 12-inch drill bit throughout the first season of the group's television program. While well-executed, these two songs really have nothing extraordinary to distinguish them from any other pop song out today. The one benefit is that we finally get to hear them in their entirety, rather than in 4-second TV snippets, and they are somewhat refreshed by the new recordings with final band member Dan Miller. Even still, it seems an anticlimactic ending to an otherwise noteworthy first album.

Though far from flawless, O-Town's debut is certainly impressive, particularly since so many onlookers and industry peers have been waiting eagerly for this manufactured boyband to fall flat on its face with their first recording attempt. So much for those predictions. Ashley, Erik, Dan, Trevor, and Jacob have more than proven their worth by the CD's second selection, much less its last.

Those drawbacks most apparent are in the CD's exclusions rather than its present listing. The high-energy companion piece to Jacob Underwood's "Take me Under" is conspicuously absent, as is the ballad "Say, Say" which he composed with Ashley Angel onscreen during their TV series.

Exclusions aside, this debut is more than worth a listen. Industry composer/producer Tony Harrison was quoted of his comments on O-Town's uniqueness, saying, "This is no boyband you've ever heard before, believe me. These guys will scare you." Perhaps who they'll scare is the competition. As for their listeners, they entertain, an do so surpassingly well. More power to them.

Description of O-Town

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

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