Simple Plan
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: The Edge
During the opening track of Simple Plan's latest album, vocalist Pierre Bouvier sings: "I look around me and all I seem to see is people going nowhere expecting sympathy. It's like we're going through the motions of a scripted destiny. Tell me, where's our inspiration? If life won't wait, I guess it's up to me."
If it truly is up to Bouvier and Simple Plan, then may God have mercy on us all. Simple Plan remains the epitome of the annoying pop-punk rock bands that controlled the radio during the early 2000s and will not seem to go away.
Most of the album sounds like what to expect from the band's past, but several songs are a bit refreshing - although just musically, as no matter what, there is no escape from Bouvier.
"I Can't Wait Forever" features a soft piano piece through most of the verses accompanied by slow, distorted guitars. "Holding On" is a decent radio rock song that starts off sounding more like Hootie and the Blowfish than anything else.
To be honest, I didn't hate "Your Love is a Lie," with the exception, once again, of Bouvier's cheesy lyrics. The music is a more mature version of Simple Plan. The track starts with an arpeggio chorded guitar part and programmed drum loops. As for the chorus, the guitars slam in to mix it up once again. It shows that at least from the instrumental end of things, Simple Plan can make something new.
Even with the electronic influences as well as the piano pieces that crept their way onto the CD, Simple Plan's self-titled album still sounds just like the repetitive scores of played-out pop-punk bands. With the exception of a few tracks, most of the disc is uninspiring, not to mention the lyrics and whiny vocals that, at times, get under the skin.
However, if you do feel the need to fill that void in your life with some new Simple Plan, save yourself some money and disappointment by just buying "Your Love is a Lie," "Holding On" and possibly "I Can't Wait Forever" on iTunes.
-Brent Busby
edge staff
If it truly is up to Bouvier and Simple Plan, then may God have mercy on us all. Simple Plan remains the epitome of the annoying pop-punk rock bands that controlled the radio during the early 2000s and will not seem to go away.
Most of the album sounds like what to expect from the band's past, but several songs are a bit refreshing - although just musically, as no matter what, there is no escape from Bouvier.
"I Can't Wait Forever" features a soft piano piece through most of the verses accompanied by slow, distorted guitars. "Holding On" is a decent radio rock song that starts off sounding more like Hootie and the Blowfish than anything else.
To be honest, I didn't hate "Your Love is a Lie," with the exception, once again, of Bouvier's cheesy lyrics. The music is a more mature version of Simple Plan. The track starts with an arpeggio chorded guitar part and programmed drum loops. As for the chorus, the guitars slam in to mix it up once again. It shows that at least from the instrumental end of things, Simple Plan can make something new.
Even with the electronic influences as well as the piano pieces that crept their way onto the CD, Simple Plan's self-titled album still sounds just like the repetitive scores of played-out pop-punk bands. With the exception of a few tracks, most of the disc is uninspiring, not to mention the lyrics and whiny vocals that, at times, get under the skin.
However, if you do feel the need to fill that void in your life with some new Simple Plan, save yourself some money and disappointment by just buying "Your Love is a Lie," "Holding On" and possibly "I Can't Wait Forever" on iTunes.
-Brent Busby
edge staff
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