Masonic - Never Stood a Chance
(Tight Spot)
The seventh track on Masonic's debut album, Never
Stood a Chance, is called "Friday Night Song," which,
for me, is a fitting title for every song on the
album. Never Stood a Chance is full of concise little
pop rock songs that I imagine would be perfect for a
Friday night out on the town. I don't really know what
everyone does on a Friday night, but I am imagining a
bunch of happy young people driving around their city
looking for trouble with Masonic playing on the car
stereo. I can also imagine breathless, giggling youth
at one of Masonic's shows jumping around to the peppy,
nonstop beats of songs like "Chopper."
The music on Never Stood a Chance is a comfortable
mix of electric guitars, which are always bright and
often distorted; basic drums that are constantly
pounding out a strong pop beat; a bass that's fairly
buried beneath the rest of the instruments, but is
steady and warm nonetheless; piano and electronic
keyboards; and Jennifer Christen's vocals. The vocals
stand out because Jennifer has a low, smooth, and
unpretentious voice that blends nicely with the music.
Strong melodies abound, and they are definitely
alluring. They tend to stick with you, as a good
melody probably should. I catch myself humming the
songs long after the album is over. The keyboards add
interest and a cozy nostalgia to the sometimes brash
guitars and drums. This is especially true in songs
like "Brand New Day," in which a vintage organ has a
large part and plays a catchy theme throughout the
song. Masonic also uses piano often, which adds a
subtly resonant texture, like in "New Song."
Masonic's songs are upbeat and to the point. I get
the feeling that the band wants to have a good time
with their music, and that they want the listener to
have fun as well. The poppy rock of Never Stood a
Chance is a genre we have heard before, but that's OK.
I don't think Masonic is using their music to make
some sort of statement or to reach new musical realms,
and that's just fine. Listening to Never Stood a
Chance, it's obvious that the musicians in Masonic are
playing the music they love, and they do it well.
|
