By STEPHANIE McGRATH -- AllPop
The Moffatts' new album "Submodalities"
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Canada's favourite brother group has returned with a brand new album, different haircuts, and growly vocals.
The Moffatts' latest musical effort, "Submodalities," is released this Tuesday to the delight of their many, many fans, not to mention Top 40 radio stations, which must have been getting weary of playing the group's hit "Misery" over and over again.
"Submodalities" is louder and harder than one might expect, given the heartthrob status and ages of Bob, Dave, Clint and Scott Moffatt. (Radio junkies are probably already aware of that, though, considering the enormous airplay the new album's first single, "Bang Bang Boom", has been getting lately).
Eighties Aerosmith comes to mind on tracks like "Antifreeze & Aeroplanes." That's no surprise considering the album was produced by none other than Bob Rock, who worked as an engineer for Aerosmith in the '80s and has produced albums for Metallica.
Then, the track "California" is a bizarre combination of Green Day and Blink-182.
On the other hand, slow, almost-retro love songs such as "Always In My Heart" swoop and repeat while anguished vocals accompany traditional love-song lyrics, bringing instantly to mind ... sweaty gymnasiums decorated with streamers - prom 2001, here come The Moffatts!
As far as good vs. bad songs go: "Just Another Phase" opens the album on a catchy, sweepingly memorable note, while "Always in My Heart" and "Who Do You Love" are fun, radio-friendly tracks that will remind Moffatts fans what's oh-so-dreamy about the boys.
"California" is skippable, though, as is the way-too-moany "Antifreeze & Aeroplanes".
As a whole, "Submodalities" is a strange mixture of old-fashioned love songs, modern teen rock, and a tiny hint of pop every now and then.
That's not saying it's a bad album, just a little odd in a world where synthesized beats and fancy foot-work spell chart-topping success. It would have been easy for the group to cash in on their cute-ness factor, learn a couple of slick dance moves, and harmonize with back-up vocals, so kudos to them for trying something different and risky.
Track Listing
1.
Just Another Phase
2.
Bang Bang Boom
3.
California
4.
Always In My Heart
5.
Typical
6.
Walking Behind
7.
Antifreeze & Aeroplanes
8.
I Don't Want You To Want Me
9.
Life On Mars
10.
Who Do You Love
11.
Call The Doctor
12.
Spy
Album rating
