By Grouch Rating 1 Scowl The Marshmallow Theory
The Marshmallow Theory
Friday, 21 August 2009 14:24 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
A couple of weeks back I got an email from a band called The Essentials. They said they liked the website and wanted to send me their CD. I got the CD in the mail the other day along with a really nice letter so I was pretty excited to hear their stuff. The name of the album is The Marshmallow Theory you can check out their blog at http://theessentialsmusic.blogspot.com/.
So I listened to the album several times. Here is a breakdown of my thoughts.
She Never Talks to Him – killer guitar leads come in after a few chords establish the rhythm. His voice sounds pretty good too. I like the drummer’s groove a lot. The chorus is a bit cheesy, but the really nice leads make up for any cheese. This is a good song.
Cigarettes and Lies – This could be a killer jam. Sorry Art, while the music is pretty good. Your voice bugs me. I could do with fewer words and more soulful leads. As it is I find myself waiting for the chorus to come around so I can try to figure out exactly what it is about your voice on the chorus that bothers me.
Broken Heroes – There is some nice guitar work on this song. Again I’m bugged by the vocals – I just can’t groove to what he is saying although working D.B. Cooper, Don Quixote and Batman into one song is impressive. The good part is the guitar. I really like what he is doing. Once again I wish there was less singing and more of the jam at the tail end of the song
Bells of Freedom – This time their female singer takes the lead. I can’t put my finger on it, maybe it’s the song or maybe it’s her voice but I find myself looking out the window and thinking “Wow – a bird in a tree. What was I doing? Oh yeah, listening to the Essentials’ CD.” Finally at 3:09 the guitar opens up and the song moves from yawn to killer. This dude can play! Oh wait it was only 20 seconds of jam, now he is gone and we hear the chorus over and over and over until actual bells (that is just so stock) come in to end the song. Guys, LET THE GUITAR PLAYER DO HIS THING – PLEASE!
Can I Be Your Hero – There is some interesting stuff in the background. But this song is a skip. The two notes the guitar keep hitting – pluck pluck – are getting on my nerves.
It Is Time – A funky bass starts off and I dig the drums. The female singer is back – thankfully so is the killer guitar. The problem with this band is that they want to be a vocally centered band when they should be a guitar centered band. I don’t feel any soul in the vocals. I could take you to heaven just give me your hand – this has all the soul of Marge Simpson. Turn the vocals down and the guitar up.
A Secret Thing Called Love – The song starts with a blast! I dig it. The killer high hat work combined with accented cymbal crashes and a smoking lead that are all supported by a solid bass are truly righteous. 34 seconds in the vocals hit – this is the way this band should play. The music grooves so much that the vocals don’t bother me at all – in fact they sound good. Is he singing any differently? I don’t think so except he is trying to sound gritty. It works though. Why? The band can finally open up! I like this song a lot. Well done guys!
Convoluted Minds - The Neo-sixties folk vibe is back. Musically this song is not bad. Unfortunately I feel like I’m being sold a message. His voice sounds good, but the backing vocals are annoying. (bap bap ba da da)
Mutual Insanity - Again the music isn’t bad. It has a Joe Strummer post Clash vibe. The vocals however – skip. Welcome to the Cheese Factory – thank God the guitar player gets to lead at least a little bit. I find myself wondering if during the band meetings anyone questions the direction the band is going in.
Even Lightening - Sorry I can’t make it through this song again. I listen to a CD several times before doing the review and then again while writing. This is slow and boring. Even the solo that starts at 1:51 doesn’t save it.
Flashback – The Timothy Leary sound bite at the beginning was funny and it made me think this song might rock. It rocks – I like the way this guy plays guitar. There is some very nice work here. The keyboards do some retro “trippy” stuff and then annoying background vocals come in. I like this song.
Never Too Late – Again too many vocals and not enough jam. Just before he tells us this is the end, the person singing/talking the vocals asks “Are we having fun yet?” Sorry I must say no.
The basic problem is that the band wants to be vocally important when they sould use their strenghts and allow the music to be the main focus. The guitar player can play, but as it is he is underutilized while the lyrics /vocals are over emphasized.
Grouch rating: 1.5 scowls out of 5