Review: Simple Plan “Get Your Heart On”

Rock
It is hard to believe that the young pop punk band from Montreal has now entered their second decade as Simple Plan. Their last album (self-titled) threw their fans for a loop with its uneven batch of songs mixing their standard sound with some techno and other experimental soundscapes. However, their fourth album “Get Your Heart On!” marks a strong return to form that should reignite the fanbase that fell in love with them from the get go. Released back in June, word has slowly been spreading that Simple Plan is back doing what they do best: belting out catchy pop rock tunes that sing about lost love, alienation, and the uncertainty of youth.

While the band foregoes the aloof experimentation that plagued the last album, they still brought in some A-list stars to guest on the album. Some that you might expect – Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) and Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low) – and others you wouldn’t necessarily expect, like Natasha Bedingfield and K'naan. But whoever is guesting, the song retains the distinct Simple Plan sound. The band rushes to reassure the fans that they aim to please by delivering a monster of a signature Simple Plan tune in “You Suck At Love”. This is the kind of song that made the band famous, and its peppy rhythm and sing-a-long chorus makes it an early favorite. “Jet Lag” is another arena-ready rocker featuring some infectious harmonies with Bedingfield and a huge chorus (video below). “Loser Of The Year” and “Last Man Standing” are classic teen anthems in the making.

For those of you looking for another big ballad along the lines of their hit “Perfect”, you might want to check out “Astronaut” and “Gone Too Soon”. They don’t quite rise to the heights of “Perfect”, but make a solid attempt. In the end, I am very pleased the band went back to their comfort zone – “Get Your Heart On” is a fine addition to the Simple Plan catalogue.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10

Simple Plan – Official site

Check out the video for “Jet Lag”

Review: Simple Plan "Simple Plan"

I always get a little nervous when a band puts out a self-titled CD that is not their debut. It is usually an indicator that they've deviated from the formula that made them famous. So in a way, it is a fair warning to fans who want more of the same from the band.

This could not be more true with the new release from pop emo rockers Simple Plan. The first few seconds of track 1 and you'll think you accidentally put in some freaky bad dance pop CD by mistake. Thankfully, the guitar sound that is stereotypical Simple Plan kicks in without torturing us too long. It is clear the boys have tried to infuse some dance and DJ junk with good ol' rock n' roll. Let me make this clear: techno and rock are like Britney Spears and underwear...they just don't go together.

I must commend Simple Plan for other things on this CD, their third studio release. As far as the guitars and vocals, they sound phenomenal. A problem many people had with them was the thin, whiny voice of the lead singer. But on this release, he sounds better - stronger and more mature - and accentuated with some great gang vocals in the background here and there. The only thing I am having trouble with is the house music contaminating about half the tracks. Sounds like half the band quit and some of the guys from Maroon 5 replaced them. Track 6, "Generation" may be the worst of it...it is the musical equivalent of Ipecac.

But when they stick to their original formula, it works and then some. Big bold choruses with fat hooks abound on the tracks I deem worthy for the iPOD. There are a couple moments where it sounds like these guys want to be the next Firehouse (check out the utterly sappy and unsophisticated "I Can Wait Forever"). Overall, the experiment to incorporate hip hop and techno crap should have stayed in the lab...but the classic Simple Plan tracks concentrated towards the end of CD are some of the best they've ever done.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10

Simple Plan on MySpace. Official Site.

Check out the car commercial...I mean video for "When I'm Gone"