Active Child- You Are All I See

From the beautiful harp work on the opening and album titled track “You Are All I See” the scene is set magnificently for Active Child’s debut album. Not only does Pat Grossi have the voice of a choir boy; he also has the power to sing strong and reach further than just a normal classically trained vocalist. You Are All I See is put together uniquely with classical instruments meeting dup step and almost an R & B style. At times it reminds me of James Blake’s debut album from earlier this year. Though the music is beautiful and has lyrics that people can relate to, I feel that because of how well polished everything is it also leaves a bit too much space between the artist and his audience, which at the end of the day makes this album just a borrow and not a must listen. I don’t see it as a disappointment I just look forward to when Grossi puts out something that has a bit more soul to it, which I feel like he definitely can. For a debut album this is good, but it could be done better.  

Final Review- 75


Best Songs- Hanging On, Playing House, Way Too Fast

The Muppets- The Green Album

The Green Album is the first and probably only compilation album I will review but an artist lineup like this is too good to pass up. “Muppet Show Theme Song” being performed by OK Go was really enough to rope me into checking it out and I am incredibly happy I did. Not only does OK Go do a great rendition of the theme but all of the other artists really add their own signature sound to the tracks. A great moment was listening to The Fray do “Mahna Mahna” and hearing them step away from the slow and pretty piano music most people know them for. I was definitely a Muppet Show Tonight kind of kid. I remember watching it with my siblings and laughing really hard even at parts there was no way I could understand what the jokes were. The only down side to The Green Album is listening to some of the more popular bands do their mediocre makeover on some of the songs but even those are not completely horrible. I can’t justify giving the green Album a perfect score but as far as compilation or soundtracks go this is right at the top for me. And I know you will do what you will but I think everyone should give The Green Album a chance.

Final Review- 90


Best Songs- The Muppet Show Theme, The Rainbow Connection, Our World, Bein' Green

Ganglians- Still Living

Still Living starts off a little slow but definitely unfolds into its own as it progresses. Part of me wants to talk about how much the vocals hurt the band but another part of me kind of likes the badness of them. It’s not just that the lead singer is a weak vocalist; it’s that everything is so heavily distorted and just big sounding and that weighs down the music. Now, am I trying to say they should lay off the vocalist? Maybe. What I am really trying to say is that the Ganglians should find a way to make his vocals work rather than just cover them up with so much reverb that it’s all you’re hearing. If you are using him, you might as well have a type of music that he can really participate in. The track “Sleep” is the first real time you get to hear him sing, and it’s not completely horrible. Another problem with this album is that in the midst of all the dreamy softness, the songs sometimes begin to sound a little less distinctive. Even through the bad, Still Living is a decent listen and the couple songs that break through the repetitiveness are fun. All in all, however, I am going to have to say a pass.

Final Review- 75


Best Songs- Jungle, My House, California Cousins