Review Summary: Comparison's to The Jonas Brothers and The Fray are just absurd and almost offensive. Neither have anything on Virginia's finest, My Favorite Highway.
Real. If I had to describe this album in one word, that would be it. The music is highly piano and guitar driven, and yes, I'll say somewhat reminiscent of The Fray, except for the remarkable voice of front man David Cook.
The album starts off catchy and stays that way. It is truly brilliantly crafted from the power pop feel of their single "Say So" to the ballad "Steel City". But what exactly distinguishes a My Favorite Highway (Virgin Records) song from all of the other music on the market?
First and foremost the vocals are very talented and perfectly fit for the sound they play. Needless to say, the energy can be felt with the sound of vocalists, David Cook’s voice. They convey a happy yet soulful motive in their music composition. Take "Simple Life", the catchy "Na NaNa Na" chant coupled with vibrant instruments and an upbeat tempo make it simply put, fun. While they have a mainstream approach, the lyrical ability is what makes this album so great. "She takes me up to ten/And leaves me at eleven," from "Say So" to "If you've ever heard a beating heart/A rhythm for the songs we're too afraid to sing," of "Bigger Than Love."
The lyrics hold meaning, unlike many cliche acts focused on hooks, My Favorite Highway has such a raw soul driving each and every track.
Getaway Car's focus on a beautiful piano intro leading to a fast paced chorus was well done, and I couldn’t help but find myself tapping my foot. I could keep ranting about the vocals but you really need to hear them for yourself, they have such an enthusiasm that cannot be matched. One of the most emotionally driven tracks "Bittersweet Life," was already sealed as one of my favorite tracks the first time i heard it on a previous EP. "I must of misread all of the signals that you never sent," is just a fragment of the authentic message the band portrays in the song.
I honestly could not find hardly anything that makes this album less fantastic, i guess it just comes down to taste. Overall My Favorite Highway has amazed me with this album, it is truly refreshing. And if you’re one that's fond of power pop driven music, i would listen immediately. How to Call a Bluff is an LP which contends to make My Favorite Highway everyone's favorite.
Recommended Tracks:
Say So
Simple Life
Bigger Than Love
