At a superficial level, Something and the Whatevers are easy to pigeonhole as a "joke band," notably because of their lyrics. The Lawrence-based trio have lyrics filled with wit, sarcasm, and irony. Even their band name is goofier than most. But musically, their first full-length album, We Sold Our Souls For Wicked Lulz, hints at a wide range of influences and styles, and has a high standard of musicianship.
The first track, "We're Not Even Trying," is probably the strongest Something and the Whatevers song I have heard. Singer Ben narrates the song as if it is your prototypical pop radio song. "This is the part where the guitar solo starts....this is the part where the guitar solo keeps going." If it weren't for his narration, the song is so catchy it might actually pass for a pop radio song.
"Note to Self" is a how-to guide to getting stuff done. One of my favorite tracks, "Paranoid Humanoid," has Ben sounding like a psychopath (and Max Bemis from the band Say Anything) trying to explain how everyone, including John Travolta, is trying to kill him. He's pretty convincing, and the song makes me pretty paranoid listening. In the middle of typing this review, in fact, I had to look out the window to make sure John Travolta was not hiding in a tree in my backyard.
"Slacker Blues" sounds like a Panda Circus (the trio's former band) left over. Singer Quinton reflects about slacker life in the style of Say Anything meets Ben Folds Five meets Weezer. It's in 3/4 time, and it's incredibly catchy.
The whole album is solid, but there are two tracks just need a special mention. "Good Job, Well Done," clocking in at 9:17, is an epic masterpiece. It feels like a ballad, and in the beginning it feels like a serious and sincere congratulations to a recent high school or college graduate. But then Ben starts screaming, and his tone gets sarcastic quickly. And then it speeds up. And self indulgently instrumentally carries on for several minutes. The listener wonders...where are we going with this? Is it worth it to stick around until the end of the song? Why, yes it is. Some of the most meaningful lyrics I have ever heard are on the end of this song. "Sometimes being reasonable is an act of rebellion/sometimes using your eyes and ears is just blasphemy/ sometimes telling the truth is unpatriotic/sometimes writing a ten minute song is really pretentious." Ok, the sarcasm is still there, too.
"Party Harder" is the perfect way to wrap the album up. The title might be misleading because a lot of sad things are described in the song. However, the tone is a happy one, with bright and twinkling piano riffs. It's depressing, but uplifting at the same time.
This is not The Bloodhound Gang. Something and the Whatevers are serious, talented musicians with heavy topics to sing about. Sure, they can be hilarious at times, but only because they are being honest. On We Sold Our Souls For Wicked Lulz, Something and the Whatevers find the perfect mix of originally witty lyrics, polished songwriting, and excellent musicianship. Download this album now as "pay what you want" on its Bandcamp site.
RIYL: Say Anything, Ben Folds Five, Weezer, They Might Be Giants
The first track, "We're Not Even Trying," is probably the strongest Something and the Whatevers song I have heard. Singer Ben narrates the song as if it is your prototypical pop radio song. "This is the part where the guitar solo starts....this is the part where the guitar solo keeps going." If it weren't for his narration, the song is so catchy it might actually pass for a pop radio song.
"Slacker Blues" sounds like a Panda Circus (the trio's former band) left over. Singer Quinton reflects about slacker life in the style of Say Anything meets Ben Folds Five meets Weezer. It's in 3/4 time, and it's incredibly catchy.
The whole album is solid, but there are two tracks just need a special mention. "Good Job, Well Done," clocking in at 9:17, is an epic masterpiece. It feels like a ballad, and in the beginning it feels like a serious and sincere congratulations to a recent high school or college graduate. But then Ben starts screaming, and his tone gets sarcastic quickly. And then it speeds up. And self indulgently instrumentally carries on for several minutes. The listener wonders...where are we going with this? Is it worth it to stick around until the end of the song? Why, yes it is. Some of the most meaningful lyrics I have ever heard are on the end of this song. "Sometimes being reasonable is an act of rebellion/sometimes using your eyes and ears is just blasphemy/ sometimes telling the truth is unpatriotic/sometimes writing a ten minute song is really pretentious." Ok, the sarcasm is still there, too.
"Party Harder" is the perfect way to wrap the album up. The title might be misleading because a lot of sad things are described in the song. However, the tone is a happy one, with bright and twinkling piano riffs. It's depressing, but uplifting at the same time.
This is not The Bloodhound Gang. Something and the Whatevers are serious, talented musicians with heavy topics to sing about. Sure, they can be hilarious at times, but only because they are being honest. On We Sold Our Souls For Wicked Lulz, Something and the Whatevers find the perfect mix of originally witty lyrics, polished songwriting, and excellent musicianship. Download this album now as "pay what you want" on its Bandcamp site.
RIYL: Say Anything, Ben Folds Five, Weezer, They Might Be Giants
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