| By Andrew Olson Reader Weekly & http://www.thefountainheads.com
The "it" gift to have this Christmas was something trendy and with a fancy label on it. My wealthy cousin cried on Christmas Eve when she was given fake Uggs.. Even sadder was that her 6 year old son put them on and paraded around the room modeling and taunting that they were "Fake Uggs".. Then my cousin was given the real thing "Uggs" (Short for moon-boot-ugly) as a joke to her petty jubilation. On New Years Eve I saw another girl wearing Uggs which made me cringe.. But this Britney Spears was highkicking on the dancefloor in her mini skirt while a Federline crooked hat P-I-M-P picked her up. After midnight there were few reservations, and a few drunk inhabitants passing out against the wall at The Sunset. The Alrights and their new album High School are becoming an answer to the dying generation of commercialistic admirers who order online to get expensive celebrity labels.. And obviously they are great to party to on New Years Eve..
We all know the story of Crazy Betty and the band that was around for 9 years hipping and hopping through the Northland.. Then they did what every great band and high school sweetheart must do, move on. For the past year that is what The Alrights have done, and they are celebrating with their recent release of the hit CD titled High School. The Alrights are made up of Toby Churchill (CO-founder of Crazy Betty, piano, vocals, and guitar), Danny Cosgrove (Ski-bummed into Crazy Betty through Denver, Duluth, and Las Vegas Bass), and Chad "Chavo" Amborn (via LA, Crazy Betty, and a love of hip-hop and No Doubt Drums).
High School begins like most days of old, with the ringing of the bell and mass screams of guitar and heavy Rock.. Wake up it’s time for school kids, and the Alrights are on your headphones as you enter the building of the first song, "Call Her Name". A painful ode to memories, the song moves like Scott Weiland sleeking across a stage to Velvet Revolver/Guns N’ Roses Bass. Don’t get caught up in the old days because "Heaven Sends Her Regards" is a great song touched from heavens harp and Prince’s voice. Imagine Prince singing with the Strokes playing behind him, now launch John Lennon’s piano into the sky and let it ride the chorus. You now have a picture of the contemplation and revelation that this catchy ditty has about questioning of faith. This song also features a great Cello in the background played by Ed Willet and inspired by John Lennon and the Beatles through the mind of Toby.
"In A Way" takes the listener walking down the sidewalk with a modern strut on piano. This song does for walking what Saturday Night Fever did, make it look and sound so cool. While walking we reach the "City Underground" and the life of a Donald Trump suit and tie, day to day, modern slavery career. The song states, "I wear a suit and a tie, yes everyday, making lot’s of money dressed this way… My family, they don’t understand. Don’t they know I do it all for them?" In the song the lyrics show the loss of individuality when growing older and having to provide for a family. At the same time the next song "Jump for Joy" is what is happening in the mind of the worker. Banging piano with hints of the workers’ chains attached until it quiets and sings in a questioning of value. The end of the song says, "So lock your door, Don’t ever leave". Making a statement that can be regarded these days as poetic both politically, musically and lyrically.
At this point the CD slows down for "If It Is A Dream". Quiet guitar and singing it has the feel of if Oasis got together with Otis Redding to sing "I’ve Got Dreams". This dream was about summer love though, and the memories of fleeting Grease emotions. That small town where at 16 you met the new girl in town and she loved you. In the fall she would head back to school and find your social status and you’d be forgotten… Living for a moment in a dream and hoping it lasts forever.. The sadness of this song makes the next two a bit perplexing in the scheme of the CD. "The Sickness" begins with an awesome slow guitar and turns into contrived hand clapping, digital, hip hop love. The next song "Validation" contemplates death from the view of a young twenty something poet. Before you go turning off the CD and ending it all the next song drags you back in. "Alright by me" is jazzy with a love theme and lets you rest for a moment. Then comes "Young Man Blues" close your eyes and you will see Bob Dylan writing for John Lennon and a southern gospel choir about questioning art. The main theme is when they sing, "I’d rather be famous ‘cause I’ve been watching. It turns to gold whatever they’re touching". Contemplating selling out versus being an artist.
The CD ends with two songs, the first, "Almost Never Always" and the last, "School Revisited". "Almost" is Maroon 5 (Like a lot of the CD), mixed with some simplistic "Blah, Blah, Blah" lyrics. Nice drum solo! "School Revisited" has a wake up call in the beginning of Beach Boys harmonies and leaves one wishing for more. It is a simple exit like the White Stripes do on some minimalist numbers.. A song about the passing of a father and not wanting to go to school.. Hit repeat for full enjoyment..
Hip, Cool, Modern, and with great potential is what surrounds this band. On New Years they were scared that I arrived too late. Toby announced when he noticed I was snapping some pictures, "Oh great you only got to see us wasted up here".. Sure they drank more than the Britney Spears dancer, the guy passing out against the wall, and the P-I-M-P. But I was there early enough to hear them play the great songs from their CD. The drunken 1 AM rendition of a Lennon song was a great way to bring in 2005. It made everything, Alright.
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