2008 Woodie Awards
Breaking out: a review of Train's Pat Monahan
Ashley Johnson
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Sometimes things go horribly wrong when an artist decides to break away from their home base and release a solo album. However there are the exceptions who's names are Beyoncé from Destiny's Child, Justin Timberlake from N*Sync, and Aaron Gillespie from System of a Down among others. Thank goodness Pat Monahan has been blessed with just a remnant of that luck. The lead singer of Train sheds his "Drops of Jupiter" skin to debut his solo album, titled The Last of Seven.
What's great is that his music has done a complete about-face from what Train had to offer which was a great choice on his part. He's managed to incorporate some soul along with a solid acoustic overlay. When added to his whiny yet powerfully emotive vocals, the transition absolutely works for him.
The album also has a few cool guest stars. Brani Carlile joins in on "Pirate on the Run" for a beautifully rich duet and Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora adds a classic touch to "Someday." My personal favorite on the record is "Cowboys and Indians," not only because Graham Nash is doing background vocals, but it's a somber ode to humanity of sorts. Although compelling lyics are a rarity throughout the rest of the album, "Cowboys and Indians" offered some I was immediately attracted to. In the song he lists everything from communists, to homosexuals and says to them in the bridge, "…Well I'd like to thank you all/ I'd like to make you all lunch by a river I know./ I'd like to take your hands/ I'd like to give you some peace."
I'm no sucker for cheesy lyrics and a drawback to this record, as well as most music floating around the airwaves, is that the lyrics are too predictable. How many times does the world have to stop turning because you're thinking about your lover? Or how many times does someone's eyes have to be like blue skies and sunrises before I start to mentally cave? "Thinking' About You" and "Her Eyes" are two examples from the record. It's not all bad though, Monahan has some great choruses.
At some point you have to look at what's been done and go around it to find something new. Great hip-hop artists like Common and Nas do it all the time. Even other amazing acoustic artists like John Mayer, James Morrison, and Paolo Nutini have managed to do it. Believe me, it can be done. I'm not saying that for lyrics to be acceptable they have to look like a Marianne Moore poem. In other words, don't overdo the range, just save the cheesiness for someone who has the capacity for bad music.
Above all, The Last of Seven is a great compilation of songs. They each support each other, and transition gracefully from track to track. It's best you save this album for a rainy day (which in the present state of our environment, that doesn't mean very often).
What's great is that his music has done a complete about-face from what Train had to offer which was a great choice on his part. He's managed to incorporate some soul along with a solid acoustic overlay. When added to his whiny yet powerfully emotive vocals, the transition absolutely works for him.
The album also has a few cool guest stars. Brani Carlile joins in on "Pirate on the Run" for a beautifully rich duet and Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora adds a classic touch to "Someday." My personal favorite on the record is "Cowboys and Indians," not only because Graham Nash is doing background vocals, but it's a somber ode to humanity of sorts. Although compelling lyics are a rarity throughout the rest of the album, "Cowboys and Indians" offered some I was immediately attracted to. In the song he lists everything from communists, to homosexuals and says to them in the bridge, "…Well I'd like to thank you all/ I'd like to make you all lunch by a river I know./ I'd like to take your hands/ I'd like to give you some peace."
I'm no sucker for cheesy lyrics and a drawback to this record, as well as most music floating around the airwaves, is that the lyrics are too predictable. How many times does the world have to stop turning because you're thinking about your lover? Or how many times does someone's eyes have to be like blue skies and sunrises before I start to mentally cave? "Thinking' About You" and "Her Eyes" are two examples from the record. It's not all bad though, Monahan has some great choruses.
At some point you have to look at what's been done and go around it to find something new. Great hip-hop artists like Common and Nas do it all the time. Even other amazing acoustic artists like John Mayer, James Morrison, and Paolo Nutini have managed to do it. Believe me, it can be done. I'm not saying that for lyrics to be acceptable they have to look like a Marianne Moore poem. In other words, don't overdo the range, just save the cheesiness for someone who has the capacity for bad music.
Above all, The Last of Seven is a great compilation of songs. They each support each other, and transition gracefully from track to track. It's best you save this album for a rainy day (which in the present state of our environment, that doesn't mean very often).
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