This review was written by Carl Isonhart for his Sonic Ruin Magazine.
http://www.sonicruin.com/
Baby Scream – Ups and Downs
Though a bit more mellow than I usually listen to, there has always been something about Baby Scream that I just love. Partially it might be a slight bias to them being the first interview I did for Sonic Ruin. But I am also willing to bet that the main reason for a love of this band is the attention paid to song writing and just how well mainman Juan knows what he is aiming for, and how well he achieves those goals.
The sound of Baby Scream is along the lines of Chamber Strings. It’s that old Todd Rundgren Pop style. That mellow, hooky stuff that just seeps into your head, haunting you for you whole damn day. Songs you hum to yourself as you drift off to sleep.
Songs 1 through three are mellow, yet hooky. Song 4, “Everyday (I Die A Little Bit)”, however opens things up and Juan proves to all of us that he can rock out with the best of them. Guitars raging, drums open and moving quick, and a voice full of snottiness of the finest order. I tell ya, I could go for a track or two more of these types of numbers. Knowing the band has a Trash/Punk/Glam interest to them its nice to this style show up, and even nicer to hear it done so well. Back to mellow town, “One More Chance” leads one to think of post Beatles John Lennon.
Now though, no matter what I have said about the mellow stuff, and my loving the driving track number 4, there is no doubt in my mind that the stand out track on this release comes along at number 8 in the form of “Morning Light”. This is the type of stuff that you lay down as a band, listen back to and just stare at the speakers in amazement that you pulled something off this good. Seriously, this track alone makes the whole CD worth whatever you might pay. Wonderful groove, wonderful production with a guitar that cuts through exactly as it should, and a keyboard that would make Ian MacLagan proud. This is a band hitting perfectly, in all aspects. Outstanding track.
After that track we move into a different recording session called Planet Michael. Though not as polished as the previous 8 tracks, it is still the wonderful style we have fallen into for the preceding tracks.
“Walls Crumbling Down” rocks out pretty hard in all honesty, and sets the band into more of a Rock and Roll vibe. Killer tune for sure.
Track 12 took me by complete surprise. In my opinion the greatest band from to the U.S. is The Replacements. For me, they are right up there with Faces and The Damned. A greatness that might never be seen again. So when I saw “Skyway” listed on the back of the CD I was fearful it was the Mats song. But knowing Juan, I had a feeling it was. And it is.
But the version Baby Scream pulls out here is brilliant. The type of cover that needs to be sent on to Paul Westerberg, and I am sure he would love it. Faithful as can be, but it still changes the song up quite a bit with a wonderful shuffling drum that I would bet Chris Mars would adore. Just a perfect cover to a great song. In the end, this is a great CD. Strong writing, wonderful execution, and a heart beating inside that could warm everybody. Place this CD right alongside your Chamber Strings CD’s and cherish the wonderful things that are Baby Scream.
Picture by Violeta Mollo :
www.myspace.com/jourdebelle
