"We really proud of how [this record] turned out.I think we've really stepped up to the plate" - Brian Ireland
With "North," Ireland and Something Corporate haven't just stepped up to the plate -- they've hit a grand slam. Their third album is much more rock-oriented than previous albums, but it still retains the 88-key piano that makes Something Corporate so unique.
From their beginnings as a local band in Dana Point, Ca., Something Corporate has grown exponentially and gained fans from around the country. This group of five high school friends (Andrew McMahon, piano and vocals; Brian Ireland, drums; Clutch, bass guitar; Josh Partington and William Tell, guitar) share a strong love for music. They recorded their first album, "Audioboxer," two years ago, and they've been gaining notoriety ever since.
Something Corporate, known as "SoCo" by their fans, were invited to perform on the Warped Tour in 2002 and were admittedly one of the softer bands, in part because their sound is such a compromise between punk and alternative rock.
Starting with the release of their second album, "Leaving Through the Window," and now continuing with "North," a steady process of refinement has become noticeable.The first six songs from "Audioboxer" have a rough "garage band" sort of sound; the best example of this is "If You C Jordan." Those are fantastic in their own right, but the more mature songs on "North" have much more emotional lyrics. As Partington put it, "each song is written with different inspiration."
Every track is distinctive ininstrumentation. "Space," the most popular track on the album, uses drums and guitars to embrace the rock ideal while also including music interludes and electronically altered voices. Conversely, "Me and the Moon" is a fantastic example of pianist McMahon's talents, and they create a distinct sound that is quite a refreshing change of pace compared to the usual guitar-and-drums formula. (You can thank Billy Joel and Elton John for the presence of the piano, but SoCo is certainly not a piano-driven band overall.)
SoCo has been compared to The Ataris and Dashboard Confessional, but that description doesn't really fit properly. Each song is distinct, with varying tempos, themes, and instruments, so slapping a single genre label on it all is a bit too dismissive. Something Corporate is a great 'not quite rock, not quite punk' band.
In an era of downloads and customized mix CDs, it takes a very talented band to sustain audience interest over the course of a full album. Something Corporate is one of the few bands to whose albums listeners will be able to listen from cover to metaphorical cover. Their diverse tempos and creative lyrics sustain interest on long car rides and such.
SoCo does have its limits, however. Andrew's lead vocals get a bit monotonous after about eight songs. The other four artists are only background singers, and it is about time they step up to the plate -- they're talented, and they ought to be allowed to expand on their initial roles in the band. Even though they may be shortchanging themselves somewhat, though, "North" is a fantastic manifestation of their talent.
Something Corporate is currently on tour, and understandably has had several sold out shows already. They will show up in Norfolk and Washington, D.C. later this month, and you can catch them on MTV's "Advanced Warning" Nov. 11 at 9 p.m.
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