Search - Parachute :: Losing Sleep

Suitable for Mass Consumption

Celeste | Louisiana | 07/31/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Do you still get to consider yourself an "indie" band once you've signed with Mercury Records, agreed to tour with Kelly Clarkson and shared the stage with the Jonas Brothers? Don't answer that. We've always been told not to judge a book by its cover; does the same go for CD cases? When I first saw the back of the CD case, my first thought was that they sure are pretty. Well, sometimes first impressions are right on the money, here you have a CD of pretty boys making pretty music.



The opening song, "All That I Am" seemed very familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place if I'd heard it before, maybe as background music at the bar or maybe on the local college radio station. Of course, it could just be that the song has that generic sound that is so popular on mainstream radio the past several years, it seemed familiar without ever having heard it before.



"Losing Sleep" is not a bad CD. The guys in the band are good musicians, and this effort can certainly compete with most of what is being offered by mainstream radio. Will Anderson does a respectable job with lyrics, and every now and then there is a moment of musical brilliance. He has a great voice, but I don't think it will ever be one of those voices that you can recognize in an instant, there is nothing stand-out about him or his style. If you like Maroon 5, The Fray, Coldplay and all of the other bands that sound like Maroon 5, The Fray and Coldplay, you'll like this band. If you are looking for a CD that will surprise you and give you something you've never heard before, keep looking, because you won't find it here."

The Bonus Tracks Sold Me

Lance G. Augustine | The Midwest, USA | 08/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit that after listening to the original version of Parachute's "Losing Sleep" several times, the majority of songs were kind of just THERE...some decent pop background tracks to steal the silence away from doing chores at home or at work...but nothing to take too seriously.



One song did stand out from the rest for me, "The Mess I Made", and I figured that maybe some day I could download just that one. It was really the only song that sounded like it came from the heart and its melody was one that moved me. I liked the title/song topic. And while I don't quite get the connection that some people say this album has concerning another band I really like, The Fray, I do think comparisons to Maroon 5 are justified.



Its difficult to rate an album that doesn't have any certain flow to it...the songs bounce back and forth between various styles of pop and pop/rock, but I do think it's a bit unfair to label all the music as generic. If I remember correctly, I once heard an interview with these guys in which they explained that "She Is Love" wasn't originally intended to be on this album...it was written longer ago and played at some of their shows...but outside influence not only got it on the album, but made it the first single. This simple song is anything but generic (the acoustic version), and while not one that I'm necessarily in love with, it's a song that's not manufactured-sounding in any way.



The bonus tracks on the deluxe version really did end up being the catalyst to my purchase, because these three extra songs not only prove that there's some real music coming from Parachute, but IMO they are better than the rest of the songs combined. "Be Here" brings passion, beautiful melody, and an arrangement that builds in intensity from its solo piano/vocal beginning. "Losing Sleep" is centered around an electric piano, and its simplicity, a little something extra in Will's vocal performance and an exciting chorus make this another winner for me. Finally, the acoustic version of "All That I Am" has a looser vibe than the first version, and the combination of piano and acoustic guitar works perfectly. I wouldn't give up on this album without hearing these bonus tracks...they might just be what turns this from an average pop record into something you'll want for your permanent music collection."

Great album!

Emily Smith | Florida, USA | 09/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I admit I wasn't really expecting a lot from this album. I just wasn't sure I'd enjoy it all that much, but I really do! I was pleasantly surprised and I find myself popping it into my car CD player quite a bit. It's a great album to drive to.



Parachute has that great poppy/alternative feel to their music, but with soulful lyrics and some variety. The songs are different, they don't all sound the same and the lead vocalist has a great, smooth voice. I find that a lot of male vocalist in this genre tend to be kind of nasal, whiny, or sound like they're shouting. He doens't. In addition, I really enjoy the lyrics on this album. They are meaningful and poignant.



Favorites for me would have to be "All That I Am", "Ghost" and "She is Love." I love the lyrics and the melody to "All That I Am," (same with "Ghost") and "She is Love" is a nice, soft, mellow song. Nice to relax to and a good change of pace.



All in all I wasn't disappointed and I'm enjoying this album more and more. I think it has a lot more depth than a lot of other albums in it's genre and that's refreshing to me. Pick this one up! I think Parachute is going to be a very successful group."