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I'm not exactly a Simple Plan historian or anything, but what I do know is that they're from Canada, they've 'struggled' for a couple of years and then finally Lava gave them a deal. And from that "No Pads, No Helmets . . . Just Balls' came forth. Which turned out to be a huge success for the Canadian punk band. They have been influenced by all of the other punk bands before them like blink-182, Sum-41, and Avril Lavigne. This cd is just about the same as their last one, maybe a few slower songs and some different styles, but generally the same.
Alright here goes:chug::
1) Shut Up: 9/10
The intro's pretty good. The drums do a pretty good job of providing a beat. The lyrics are pretty good. The chorus will definetly get stuck in your head. This track is a really good song to make a first track out of. It offers a little bit of everything from the band; fast, slow, a good beat, and cool guitar rthyms.
2) Welcome to My Life: 9/10
The intro starts off with an acoustic guitar rthym, then picks up with some electric guitar. The chorus is really good. They do a good job of singing what they feel. The bass is pretty good too. This song is a smooth transition from Shut Up. A cool thing about this song is that one of the chorus's switches to acoustic again. Pretty cool. Afterwards it gives a good outro. This isn't neccessarily their best song ever but it's definetly not one you'll want to skip. Good song.
3) Perfect World: 6/10
Okay... I don't really like this song for some reason. It just doesn't grab your attention right away and there's nothing going on during the verse, besides some picking. They should have done something more with it. This song is a steady transaction between their slow and fast songs. The verse is slow but the chorus is fast. (by fast I mean distortion and usualy punk sound.) This is possibly their only song that I might skip.
4) Thank You: 10/10
This is probably there fastest song on the disc. Good bass on the verses. Good guitar on the choruses. Good beat too. This is one song that I'll never get tired of. These guys must have had some issues with some friends of theirs. Because they did something to really piss this band off. Overall one of the best songs on the cd.
5) Me Against the World: 8/10
Everytime I listen to this song I always think, "Man, this would be a good song for Hoobastank to sing" because every part of this song sounds just like Hoobastank, from the guitar and vocals to the bass and drums. It just screams Hoobastank. Anyways . . . the intro is cool and the and the lyrics are really good. The only thing this song needs is a more punk feel. The guitar solo is pretty cool, it was the first one I've ever heard by this band. They should have them more often. Man, if only they didn't sound like Hoobastank, this song would be awesome. Overall a really good song, especially for guitarists, he does a lot of stuff on this song.
6) Crazy: 10/10
Nice steady beat throughout the intro, Theses guys try to prove a point to people; instead of rich people buying expensive clothes and cars they could be out helping little kids on the streets. Very good song. Almost made me cry the first time I heard it . . . *sniff sniff* My favorite song on the album. I think about this song twenty-four seven. You have to listen to this song.
7.) Jump: 5/10
After such a perfect song, they come out with this weird song. "Hey guys, instead of thinking about my life, let's jump for no reason at all" "Okay Sebastien, lets do it" Stupid, Besides the lyrics, everything else is pretty good. I guess this is one of those songs that are really good at concerts. Oh well.
8.) Everytime: 10/10
Their first real slow song, surprisingly good, Really good song to listen to if you just broke up with a girlfriend. I like how they go from an acoustic guitar to slowly work their way towards an electric, even then the electric guitars pretty stead. The solo's simple and perfect for the song. I really like this guys solos for some reason, even though they're really simple. Overall a really good song. No complaints about this one.
9) Promise: 7/10
The intro. seems to be too long, it's not neccessarily bad or anything, just too long.This is one of those regular songs that's not neccessarilly bad or good, just plain. Nothing much more to say about this song, besides a good interlude(i guess you'd call it that?)and another kick *** solo
10) One: 8/10
This song reminds me a lot of blink-182's Stay Together for the Kids, lyrically. It talks about how the kids are the future and you should show more of an appreciation towards them. This is a pretty slow song, it's got a weird violin part in it, but it sounds good and it fits. Good song, but nothing special.
11) Untitled 10/10
This is a really slow song with a piano and violin, with just Sebastien singing. Kind of depressing, I really like how everything is really smooth and fits together perfectly, the piano and violin sound as if they're just one instrument, perfect. The best thing about this song is that out of nowhere an electric guitar solo comes out for about 5 seconds. Now that's puttin' the cherry on top. And it fits in so wonderfully with the song. I really just can't think of anything bad about this song. Everything's so perfect. This song alone is a good reason to buy the album.
Okay, that's all the songs. Musicly wise, the lyrics are pretty good, the beats really good, the bass is very interesting, and the guitars just are magnificant(I'm not saying this guys a Kirk Hammet or anything but it's pretty impressive for a punk band.) I think these guys will grow to become better punk artists and surpass blink-182 and The Ramones. Not now, but eventually.
Just about everythings good about this song; besides one or two plain songs, this album is full of wonderful songs.
Overall, this album is the same as No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls . . ., except you can tell that they've improved all-around. These guys are really good, especially for some Canadians.(Just Joking :D )
Okay, I think this album is a must buy for all punk or rock lovers, or if you're wanting to get into punk.
Thanks for you'r time, hope I've helped you guys decide on spending some money.
Overall Rating: 9/10
p.s. This song comes with a dvd too, it's pretty good, on the dvd you can listen to it on surround sound or you can watch some videos of them making it, or visit their website and buy some clothes.
Band:
Pierre Bouvier - Vocals
Chuck Comeau - Drums
Jeff Stinco - Guitar
Sebastien Lefebvre - Guitars, background vocals
David Desrosiers - Bass, background vocals
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Nice review. It's a bit too biased in my opinion though.
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Good review, mang. I have the same openions as you on the band and this cd. But there's one mistake, you said Seb sings on "Untitled" :-p
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Simple Plan - Still Not Getting Any...
(LAVA/Atlantic 2004)
Produced by Bob Rock
Simple Plan is:
Pierre Bouvier Vocals
Jeff Stinco Lead Guitar
Sebastien Lefebvre Rhythem Guitar & back-up Vocals
David Desrosiers Bass & back-up Vocals (and additional drums)
Chuck Comeau Drums
About the Music
I can honestly say that "Still Not Getting Any..." is a big improvement over 2002's "No Pads, No Helmets... Just Balls". The riffs are more original, the solos and breakdowns are plentiful, and (most importantly) the lyrics are much more diverse. In fact, I think that's the biggest improvement for the band. Instead of getting a cd full of immature teenage angst, we get 11 new tracks covering different subjects and problems. Although the angst still remains intact throughout the album, the sound and overall impression of the lyrics and music make the band's sophomore effort a lot more enjoyable.
In a sense you can say this is a “pop” album. But c’mon, are you really dissing any band when you say they’re popular? You might as well say every CD being reviewed here is pop, because that what they are, **** it, popular. So please don’t give me any immaturity like, “dIS BAND BAND IZ POPZ SHJ*T ALL THE WAYZZZZ!!!11!”. Deal? Good?
This album is actually a Dual Disc release. The music is on side A and there's a DVD on side B. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
And now onto the music...
SIDE A
Shut Up! 3:01
Pretty good opener. It starts with a volume swell into a fast intro riff followed by the first lyrics. Pierre’s singing voice hasn’t changed much from the last album, but his lyrics definitely have. The song is about how the band is tired of getting labeled by the media and press and whatnot. I don’t blame them, who isn’t sick of all these magazines and what they have to say? The song slows in the bridge and closes with a reinterpretation of the chorus. The band said that they’re going to make this song their next single, and I agree on this track’s potential. So look for the video in a month or two.
4/5
Welcome To My Life 3:27
The first single! Not a bad choice, in my opinion. Although, there were better options in my opinion. The music is pretty good on this one. With an acoustic intro and distorted choruses. This song is a reminiscent of “Perfect” in a sense. The bridge and final chorus are the highlights of this track. I’m going to give it a 3/5. It could be higher, though, if I wouldn’t have heard this song so many times already. Lol
Perfect World 3:51
Another “emotion” song. This time about how hard things are in life and what things would be like in a “perfect world.” This song is about loss and regret and one can easily relate to it. I found this song to be boring at times and I skip over it most of the time. There are some neat sound effects towards the middle of this slow-paced song along with dual vocals from Pierre and Sebastien. 2/5
Thank You 2:53
For some reason this track starts off with a split second bass crunch. I don’t know if that’s a mistake or what. But anyways, this song is one of my personal favorites. It reminds me a lot of Simple Plan’s 2003 song “Crash and Burn”. The intro is hammered out at a fast pace and the bass-driven first verse is really good too. The lyrics are about losing a best friend that has deceived you, something I have experienced one before. The song build on as it goes. The first verse is all bass and drums, then the chorus ends with (what I guess I should call) a post-chorus with an awesome yell. The next verse has some quick guitar licks followed by the same chorus. Come time for the bridge, the song slows for a while at the bridge and has some really weird effects in it. One of the album’s best songs, in my opinion. 5/5
Me Against The World 3:11
Simple Plan said a few months before the album came out that this track is going to be the heaviest song they ever made. And they were right, too. The guitars crash in and out and Chuck keeps a really good beat going with consistent use of the crash cymbals. There’s some tremolo effect in it too. Pierre’s vocals are really well done here too. He actually screams on this track, too. Something he hasn’t done probably since back in his Reset days. The song quips to a closure of what seems to be an amplifier feedback. 5/5
Crazy 3:36
This song has a really good message and theme. It’s about how people are going crazy and obsessive about things. Self-conscious teenage girls, parents mistreating and ignoring their children, rich misers, and money being at the top of everyone’s list. The music is just as good as the lyrics, too. 4/5
Jump 3:08
This song rocks! It’s the most single-worthy track on the album and I can already imagine it on a countless amount of movie soundtracks. This is heavier than the average Simple Plan song and features an awesome pre-bridge breakdown. The message about the song is to forget all your problems, let them go and JUMP! Have fun with your life, basically. 5/5
Everytime 4:00
I never think much about Simple Plan’s slow songs (such as this one), but this time around I have to say this song is pretty **** good. The choruses fit great and there’s a cool solo near the middle. Good track here! 4/5
Promise 3:32
My favorite song on the CD by far! It starts off with a surrounding sound mix of guitars before going into the first riff. The vocals are fast and exciting as well as the beat and guitars. I have to say that this song is the highlight of the whole album. Not only is it a really fun song, but once we hit the 2:33 point, Pierre screams “GO!” and Jeff Stinco busts out this amazing solo. I’ve heard some awesome solos from this guy before (I’d Do Anything, Vacation), but this one is definitely his best. 5/5
One 3:30
At this point on the record, we come to a slow, stopping point. But it builds up with the final two tracks. First we have this Taking Back Sunday esque of a song that seems to get straight to the point. I’m comparing it to TBS because it has a ton of palm muting and emotional vocals. The final minute of this song has strings on it and they fit really well with the vocals and distorted guitars. 4/5
Untitled 3:57
Now this track is really something.
"It's the last song we recorded for the album," drummer Chuck Comeau explained. "It's a piano song with string arrangements. It's very different for us. It's called 'Untitled' because we couldn't think of title — it's that good." Mtv.com
And it is that good. There’s so much ****ing emotion packed into this song. Although there’s no guitars or drums on this track, Pierre’s vocals give this track all it needs as well as the piano and strings. Oh, but Stinco does come in toward the end with a short but memorable guitar solo. And yeah, it’s that good. 5/5
The overall impression I got from this album was very good. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it seemed like every **** bridge had to slow the whole song down. Back on “… Just Balls” there were slow parts in even the fastest of songs, but they still seemed to fit well. On this CD they’re like interruptions on certain tracks but on others they actually work. However, the album is longer than the last one (even though it’s one less track) and the tracks are more “real” in a sense. And for some reason… there’s no lyrics in the booklet for “Untitled”. What the heck…
Side A rating…
 :upset:
SIDE B
Directed by Patrick Langlois
Co-Directed by Chuck Comeau
Still Not Getting Any…
The whole freaking record in GLORIOUS DVD audio surround sound! I’ve listened to the whole thing and it’s great. It brings out the leads and beats. It’s excellent.
Making of the Record 20 minutes
Pretty good doc of how the record was put together. Each band member goes over their role and we get to see a lot of the recording and writing in progress. Pretty cool.
Extra Footage 6 minutes
This is an exclusive section for the discs sold at Target. This whole 6 minutes of funny, goof-off footage is just like Simple Plan’s other DVD “A Big Package For You”. Hmm… I should review that one.
Photos
Photo gallery. Not much to say about this than the obvious.
Lyrics
All the lyrics in full length. Pretty cool if you lose the book or something. And yes, the lyrics for “Untitled” are all there, as well.
Discography
The band’s past issues.
Credits
El fin, I guess.
Side B Rating:
I really can't think of a flaw in the dvd, really.
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Pretty good review. Although I do not care for Simple Plan.
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[QUOTE=Sep]Nice review. It's a bit too biased in my opinion though.[/QUOTE]
i'd probably say that as well.
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My next review will not be as biased. . .*sniff* *sniff*
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Acoustic or clean? Cuz there is a difference./
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Why I don't like them at all...
Whiny voices
Cliche type lyrics
Bland overdone/ripped off guitar parts.
There's more but that immediately ruins me from ever liking them.
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[QUOTE=basher_guitar]6) Crazy: 10/10
Nice steady beat throughout the intro, Theses guys try to prove a point to people; instead of rich people buying expensive clothes and cars they could be out helping little kids on the streets. Very good song. Almost made me cry the first time I heard it . . . *sniff sniff* My favorite song on the album. I think about this song twenty-four seven. You have to listen to this song. [/QUOTE]
maybe when i see them practicing what they preach i will give in to the bullshit
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this band is marketed for the preteen audience. if you're above 15 years old and think this is "great music" or has "great lyrical content"... you need to get out more. or start reading.
Otherwise, enjoy away. Listening to Simple Plan isn't any different than listening to Ashlee Simpson.
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^^^^ agreed. these guys are really cr@p.
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They're really not that bad. Good Charlotte are a lot worse. That said, that "I'm a dick" song is pretty poor. The last few singles before that though, I really liked.
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Ohhh Dude, take it back.
Take it back...
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*doesn't*
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[QUOTE=Horace]
SIDE B
Directed by Patrick Langlois
Co-Directed by Chuck Comeau
Still Not Getting Any…
The whole freaking record in GLORIOUS DVD audio surround sound! I’ve listened to the whole thing and it’s great. It brings out the leads and beats. It’s excellent.
Making of the Record 20 minutes
Pretty good doc of how the record was put together. Each band member goes over their role and we get to see a lot of the recording and writing in progress. Pretty cool.
Extra Footage 6 minutes
This is an exclusive section for the discs sold at Target. This whole 6 minutes of funny, goof-off footage is just like Simple Plan’s other DVD “A Big Package For You”. Hmm… I should review that one.
Photos
Photo gallery. Not much to say about this than the obvious.
Lyrics
All the lyrics in full length. Pretty cool if you lose the book or something. And yes, the lyrics for “Untitled” are all there, as well.
Discography
The band’s past issues.
Credits
El fin, I guess.
Side B Rating:
I really can't think of a flaw in the dvd, really.[/QUOTE]
Yeah I like the DVD too, I just watched it a few minutes ago. It was pretty funny when Chuck tried to make a basket with the excersize ball.
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[QUOTE=TempermentalGoat]this band is marketed for the preteen audience. if you're above 15 years old and think this is "great music" or has "great lyrical content"... you need to get out more. or start reading.
Otherwise, enjoy away. Listening to Simple Plan isn't any different than listening to Ashlee Simpson.[/QUOTE]
i agree with this guy, besides the fact that it is made for the preteen audience. I'm 12, and i think its ****, but i do see what your tallking about. i don't think this even be called pop-punk. pop-punk to me is like.... i dunno, new-found glory, green day. i don't really listen to pop-punk anyways. well the point is they are not pop-punk they are ****
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Originally Posted by TempermentalGoat
this band is marketed for the preteen audience. if you're above 15 years old and think this is "great music" or has "great lyrical content"... you need to get out more. or start reading.
Otherwise, enjoy away. Listening to Simple Plan isn't any different than listening to Ashlee Simpson.
heres a new idea stop being over critical about music, it isent just preteeen kids that like this kind of music, who are you to say whats good and bad about music? and who can and cant listen to it? you cant just force your views on other people, maybe you all think simple plan are crap but some people dont, and i dont see the point in you all bitching about how pop you think they are cos it aint gonna make them go away! why cant you just take a diplomatoc view and keep your personal opinions about how pop or annoying they are to yourselves!
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Great review Great album great band but i don't think SP is a punk nor a rock or a pop band they're just making music that they like one song of this album remind me of Nirvana, they're touring, making CD and travel around the world how lucky are they don't you think?
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[QUOTE=basher_guitar]ur mom=big and more piggish than every ****ing pig in america! Put together
Please people, if ur going to make a comment have some concrete info to back it up! Jesus Christ![/QUOTE]
Concrete...opinion? Well good golly me! That appears to be an oxymoron.
Well here's my opinion: They are doing nothing new or interesting. Their music is lyrically immature (think: 15 year old girl), and offers nothing interesting in the way of instrumental work. So really, anyone who has dealt with mature issues in their life will not enjoy this music very much, unless of course they really don't care about the song meaning, but favor trendiness and catchiness. Simple Plan are like every other Blink 182 ripoff to come out in the last four or five years. At least Blink 182, despite their shortcomings, were more inventive.
I will agree that they've succeeded at what they are, but that really isn't much.
An it's not so much that they're horrible, it's more that they don't deserve fame and millions.
Also, consider that the more-than-trace elements of pop music style that exists in their music makes them Pop-Punk (or Pop-Punk-Rock, if you will).
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[QUOTE=Araminta]heres a new idea stop being over critical about music, it isent just preteeen kids that like this kind of music, who are you to say whats good and bad about music? and who can and cant listen to it? you cant just force your views on other people, maybe you all think simple plan are crap but some people dont, and i dont see the point in you all bitching about how pop you think they are cos it aint gonna make them go away! why cant you just take a diplomatoc view and keep your personal opinions about how pop or annoying they are to yourselves![/QUOTE]
I hear this so much. But really, who is he forcing his opinion upon? Unless he is at your computer, forcing your head to the screen, no one is making you read it or agree with it. And, judging by your brash attitude, it doesn't appear you will.
In fact, i could propose that YOU are trying to force your opinion on him. Of course this would be ridiculous; you are only stating your, however strong, opinion. Just as he was. Maybe some people don't think simple plan are crap....what a concept! Did it occur to you that he does know this? And, i do apologize for "bitching," however i do believe we are entitled to "bitch" by our constitutionally (or otherwise) given rights of free speech. Once again: No one is forcing you to read any of this!
Unfortunately, i realize my bitching will not make this band go away. Your point? I don't quite understand what you mean by diplomatic view, but may i again point out that this is a forum for DISCUSSION. We are in a thread about simple plan. Clearly, it might occur to one of adequate mental stability that you would...discuss...simple plan? Oh, goodness me NO! I might "force" someone to read my opinion.
Here's another one to force on you: I've not yet met a Simple Plan fan who was a knowlegable musician, mature, or both. WAIT, DON'T LOOK AT THE SCREEN! I MAY FOOOOORCE YOU TO READ THIS!
PS: When you are critiquing a band, it is kind of hard not to be....critical!
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