Track Listing:
2. Good Days
6. Stay Calm
7. Sit Tight
8. Loudmouth
9. Changed Man
11. Untitled
Getting sick and tired of my incessant concept album reviews? Well, lucky for you, I'll be reviewing Person L's second full-length album The Positives. This band is fronted by a Mr. Kenny Visoli from the pop punk band The Starting Line. Other members of the band include the drummers, Brian Medlin and Ryan Zimmaro, the bassist, Charles Schneider, and the keyboardist/guitarist Nate Vaeth.
Person L's methodically crude and strained vocals weave with repetitive beats to create an uplifting and, at times, tranquil melody. But, enough with my nonsensical, brief album breakdowns; let's get started.
The album kicks off with a track exhibiting serene and ethereal guitar riffs overlapping a rapid snare. In Hole In The Fence, Kenny Vasoli's vocals seamlessly ease their way in with the instruments. It's a very cozy song up until the 3 minute mark when the guitars and drums erupt in unison (I'll stop trying to make this sound so sexual) and exit in a distorted mix of sounds.
Good Days carries a slightly more upbeat tempo. Vasoli's voice is heard more upfront and showcases his range and even a glimpse of his shouts. There is certainly more of a force behind the guitar and other instruments. Following Good Days is The Positives which picks up the pace even more. Although Vasoli is a bit more conservative with his vocals in this track, the beat is catchy and the entirety of the song blends well enough.
Up next is Goodness Gracious which is a lot more grungy than the last 3 tracks. It goes so far as to mix heavy guitar and drums while featuring horns and even cowbell (Must fight urge to bring up Christopher Walken's SNL sketch). The phonics are dynamic and unkempt to match the pace of the instrumentals. The following song, New Sensations, has the same feel of Goodness Gracious, and although I hate to compare bands, the sound is very reminiscent of The Hives, just a little more gnarly and boisterous.
Stay Calm sounds much like the title suggests, calm. However, there is an audible sense of apprehension with a psychedelic facet in the tone of the track. Adversely, the following song, Sit Tight, holds the opposite effect as it features compelling and sometimes strained vocals and an uplifting tempo to snap the listener out of their previously imposed funk.
In the next track, Loudmouth, Vasoli's voice is distorted and is supported by energetic and upbeat instruments. This song has the same audible atmosphere as Goodness Gracious and New Sensations.
Changed Man features a bluesy guitar riff and Vasoli's characteristic articulate and drowning vocals. The subject matter of the track is also a hallmark of most blues songs. Changed Man is definitely the most unique and intriguing song on the album, in my opinion. The singer's pleading shouts are truly powerful. Afterward Pleasure Is All Mine brings back the uplifting aura with a fast beat and quick lyrics.
Untitled is truly an invigorating and influential song. There is a lot of build up in the song which leads to the singer's intense vocals exploding onto the track. But it's I Sing The Body Electric (Yes, like Walt Whitman's poem) that truly mesmerizes the listener with its elegant melody and warming lyrics. It's definitely a perfect way to close out an album presenting so many different tempos and styles.
In closing, Person L's The Positives is a pretty good album. Although the beats can get overly repetitive at times, the explosive vocals and varied pacing adds creativity and originality to the album. As a disclaimer, the album may not be suited for everyone, but give it a listen and you may find yourself satisfied with your decision. It definitely plays with your emotions (Oh, Mary-Beth! Why did you leave me all alone on prom night!).
Final Verdict:
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