Search - Stereotypes :: 2

Stereotypes' 2 flashback to 60's and forward

Richie Moondog | 05/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sound of the Stereotypes' latest album 2 succeeds in running the gamut of a 30-year spawn of rock `n' roll. This album recreates to perfection a mix of mid 60's rock, which includes a noticeable influence from the Byrds, a healthy dose of the Beatle's "Rubber Soul" and a bit of the latter's "Revolver." The harder edge of the Stereotypes' music gives nod to Tom Petty's 80's angst rock and the 90's punk rock energy of Social Distortion.

"2" kicks off with "New Situation," with its power chord crunching riffs that will make people break out their air guitar and wind mill the chords as you wail the chorus, "I need a new situation!"

The album's second track, "Stars," starts with a fuzz guitar that echoes the Beatles' "Think for Yourself," but then takes on a Byrds influence with harmonic vocals and the jangling tone of the 12 string Rickenbacker gallops throughout the song.

The Byrds musical influence is especially heard on the recurring chorus of "and I told you so" in the song "Outside" where the singer tries to convince his lover to go outside "to get a breath of fresh air" so he can give her a kiss "underneath the night-time sky."

Not only do the Stereotypes get the music right, but they also get young peoples' issues right. In "Try me" the singer is trying to win someone's love and tries to justify love by interpreting incidental actions "we made eyes in art class" and expressing his need for security "give me something I can hold on to"

Yet another Beatle influence is evident in "Try me." If you listen closely you can hear a guitar solo played backward, which was innovated by the Beatles in the John Lennon penned songs like "Rain" and "I'm Only Sleeping."

The theme of an indecisive future that's weighed down by complacent stagnation is addressed in the track "Unsure" that reflects the singer's current trajectory in life:



Someday, I'll get down from this fence

and someday things will make more sense

but for now I'm unsure, a little blue and a little grey

but I like it this way



Not only will the Stereotypes' music satisfy the musical palate of the rock `n' roll connoisseur, but delight the lyrical appetite that we all yearn for in today's raucous void that is evident in today's commercial music.

"

Rock & Roll

Iggy | New York, NY | 01/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great ep, i had read reviews on these guys and I am really happy I bought this album, I hope to hear more stuff soon."