Review Summary: Dispatch is one unique band who creates a fresh new sound and timeless jams in their sophomore album, Bang Bang. This album is an easy classic, and one to be remembered.
There comes a time in everyone's life when simply get bored of your music. Maybe you are an avid pop-punk fan who loves every fresh power chord and every hey-oh chorus. Then, a time will come when you just get tired of listening to the repetitive riffs over and over again. You need some new music, your old collection is full of music you've heard too many times. When this happens, the band you should turn to is none other than Dispatch. Dispatch's three man lineup in which all three members can play multiple instruments has changed the face of music. Recording on their own indie record label, Bomber Records they have never been seen on MTV or VH1, yet they sold out Madison Square Garden three nights in a row. Not one member of the band is the 'best' at any instrument, yet they play their hearts out, thus making up and going far beyond anything anyone would expect from them. But why, why should Dispatch be the band to turn to when you are in need? The answer lies within their sophomore 1999 album, Bang Bang.
Here on Sputnikmusic.com, Dispatch are labeled as a jam rock band. However, large reggae influences grace Bang Bang from beginning to end, while many tracks are obviously folk. Whirlwind, the second to last track, may even count as a more exotic tribal song, similar to the Beatles' Within You, Without You. Of course, Dispatch was never a band that could be narrowed down into one genre. They are one of the few bands who dare to explore multiple genres, while still slapping their unique signature upon every track. Most of the album is comprised of completely acoustic songs, but the occasional electric guitar does give some songs a twist. While songs like Mission and Bats in the Belfry are upbeat sing-alongs, Outloud and Two Coins prove to be a darker, sad sound. This album contains songs for every mood and occasion, from celebration to mourning. Even ska and funk make an appearance somewhere within the album. The amazing thing about Bang Bang is that even the songs that are not obvious, immediate hits are unique and catchy in their own way. While songs like Drive and Whirlwird do not shine as the greatest songs on the album, they are far from poor, and, on any other album, would easily be the best tracks.
Another interesting addition to the album is that each of the three members does a little bit, if not all, of the singing on each song. The different voices and tones give each song a unique feel, especially on the title track, Bang Bang. At first, it is just Chad singing the verses. Then, Brad comes in to back up the chorus. Soon enough, Pete and Brad are switching off singing verses, before they all join together for the final chorus. This trio from Boston, though definitely not the most talented, makes up for talent by playing their hearts and and creating a completely creative, timeless album. Of course, there is one track that, to many lesser dedicated fans, has probably defined the band Dispatch. That song is The General. If you have not heard this song, I highly suggest slapping yourself in the face and then logging onto your iTunes account and purchasing it immediately. The General is easily the most popular, well-known Dispatch song. Of course, while this song has probably lost appeal to older, experienced fans the same way that Stairway to Heaven has lost appeal to most older Led Zeppelin fans, few can disagree that this song had a lot of influence on Dispatch's huge fanbase. Luckily, while this song is dazzling and memorably, so is every other track on this album.
As I mentioned before, Bang Bang holds a track for almost every occasion. The album starts off with two of the fastest tracks, Here We Go and Bats in the Belfry. Here We Go has some obvious funk influences and the verses could almost be considered rapping. Try listening to either of the first two tracks and not singing along to the choruses. Railway and Mission are the two other fast jams. Mission, sung by Brad, starts out with a little clean electric guitar intro before blasting into the uplifting song. Railways features some silly lyrics combined with some ska horns to make a fun little ditty. Two Coins and Outloud are two jams about loneliness and sorrow. Pete's vocals and solo acoustic guitar on Two Coins are combined perfectly to make a very memorable love song. Drive and Outloud are both led by bongo drums and, while they are probably the two strangest songs on Bang Bang, they are probably the two deepest intellectual songs as well. Then there are the two would-be singles and definitely would-be chart-toppers: Bang Bang and The General. Both are truly majestic songs and will easily get replayed over and over again. Each song on this album tells a story, whether it is a childish, fun tale or a deep tragedy about lost love. There is no low point, or for that matter, high point on Bang Bang at all. From the opening chords of Here We Go to the final chorus of Outloud, Bang Bang is a truly classic album which is consistent the whole way through. Never once does the album falter, and never once will the album lose your attention. I would recommend tracks but that would be too challenging, as each song is different from the last and each song is just as memorably as the one before it. My advice to new listeners would be: find this album and listen to it right now.
