Banki
02-24-2009, 11:35 PM
Parmalee - Complicated EP 2008 320kbps
http://i.bayw.org/16bnin9.jpg
Overview: Jagermeister sponsors Parmalee are the pride and joy of Greenville, North Carolina, who, for the past several years have been working hard to turn their musical nest egg into several dozen. The band’s labor has amassed them an impressive back catalogue that includes bukoos of EP’s, a full length album entitled ‘Inside‘, and even a self-proclaimed DVD “rockumentary” exploring life inside the Parmalee camp. Skipping forward to 2008 and to the latest edition of Parmalee, and we arrive at ‘Complicated‘, a six song EP unveiled by the band this past spring. ‘Complicated‘ and the rest of the group’s discography can be purchased at iTunes.
The Good: The only thing complicated about ‘Complicated‘ is trying to choose which of these six songs is the effort’s greatest hit, because EVERY single song is a smash in waiting at some venue. Frontrunner “Gasoline” is as flammable as its namesake, torching the EP with hopping verses and sporty choruses resting inside a grungy snarl. The breakdown of its bridge is cool, starting as a faint spark from embossed acoustic guitars that ends up a roasting inferno by the song’s end. Title track “Complicated” bleeds with heartfelt emotion and reflective recollection, making it a song legions of folks can relate to. Think the best smash from Tonic, co-written by Brian Howes and infused with a rustic charm, and you’ve got “Complicated”; my god this song has crossover sensation tattooed all over. An ode to Parmalee’s homeland, the resplendent and peachy “Carolina” takes you back to growing up and the joys of home sweet home, regardless of whether or not you hail from the Carolinas. A touching definition of nostalgia, “Carolina” is a North and/or South Carolina Top 40 monster waiting to happen. “Only the Good Die Young” is a soaring breeze full of life, imbued by Matt Thomas’ vocal work. Thomas’ sound is relative to Mark Wilkerson of Course of Nature fame, with Parmalee teaching Melissa Joan Hart’s hubby a thing or three with “Only the Good Die Young”. Labels seeking next year’s spring break/off to college staple need look no further than “San Diego”. The song nurses a versatile twang, enabling it to fit and excel in both modern rock and country pop-rock markets. “San Diego” is an easy sell because of its “she left heaven for San Diego” lyrical anchor, the EP’s most addictive line. The final release of ‘Complicated‘ is “Wash”, for which there is no written word to do it justice-just listen.
The Bad: My only real blow to the ego of ‘Complicated‘ concerns the theme and how it never changes. Every song on the album falls into one, more, or all four recurrent storylines: longing, missing, wishing, or longing, missing, and/or wishing in regards to a woman. Understandably, their proximity to hit status is a direct result of the album’s fairytale disposition. But after a few listens, things start to sound a little to syrupy for me. The other hindrance to ‘Complicated‘ is its length, as I feel Parmalee robbed themselves of a potentially gifted full length by cutting things off so soon.
Bottomline: Parmalee is sitting on a gem with ‘Complicated‘ and I hope they understand that. Rock bands who have seen moderate success wish they could get their hands on one of these puppies, because it would launch them from middle of the road mainstays to acclaimed top dogs. In Parmalee’s case, the band can only hope it’s just a matter of time before industry types come flocking over to their cause; with ‘Complicated‘ in tow, Parmalee have plenty of reason to keep their faith alive.
Rating: 9 out of 10
http://rapidshare.com/files/171852843/Parmalee_-_Complicated_EP_320kbps.zip
http://i.bayw.org/16bnin9.jpg
Overview: Jagermeister sponsors Parmalee are the pride and joy of Greenville, North Carolina, who, for the past several years have been working hard to turn their musical nest egg into several dozen. The band’s labor has amassed them an impressive back catalogue that includes bukoos of EP’s, a full length album entitled ‘Inside‘, and even a self-proclaimed DVD “rockumentary” exploring life inside the Parmalee camp. Skipping forward to 2008 and to the latest edition of Parmalee, and we arrive at ‘Complicated‘, a six song EP unveiled by the band this past spring. ‘Complicated‘ and the rest of the group’s discography can be purchased at iTunes.
The Good: The only thing complicated about ‘Complicated‘ is trying to choose which of these six songs is the effort’s greatest hit, because EVERY single song is a smash in waiting at some venue. Frontrunner “Gasoline” is as flammable as its namesake, torching the EP with hopping verses and sporty choruses resting inside a grungy snarl. The breakdown of its bridge is cool, starting as a faint spark from embossed acoustic guitars that ends up a roasting inferno by the song’s end. Title track “Complicated” bleeds with heartfelt emotion and reflective recollection, making it a song legions of folks can relate to. Think the best smash from Tonic, co-written by Brian Howes and infused with a rustic charm, and you’ve got “Complicated”; my god this song has crossover sensation tattooed all over. An ode to Parmalee’s homeland, the resplendent and peachy “Carolina” takes you back to growing up and the joys of home sweet home, regardless of whether or not you hail from the Carolinas. A touching definition of nostalgia, “Carolina” is a North and/or South Carolina Top 40 monster waiting to happen. “Only the Good Die Young” is a soaring breeze full of life, imbued by Matt Thomas’ vocal work. Thomas’ sound is relative to Mark Wilkerson of Course of Nature fame, with Parmalee teaching Melissa Joan Hart’s hubby a thing or three with “Only the Good Die Young”. Labels seeking next year’s spring break/off to college staple need look no further than “San Diego”. The song nurses a versatile twang, enabling it to fit and excel in both modern rock and country pop-rock markets. “San Diego” is an easy sell because of its “she left heaven for San Diego” lyrical anchor, the EP’s most addictive line. The final release of ‘Complicated‘ is “Wash”, for which there is no written word to do it justice-just listen.
The Bad: My only real blow to the ego of ‘Complicated‘ concerns the theme and how it never changes. Every song on the album falls into one, more, or all four recurrent storylines: longing, missing, wishing, or longing, missing, and/or wishing in regards to a woman. Understandably, their proximity to hit status is a direct result of the album’s fairytale disposition. But after a few listens, things start to sound a little to syrupy for me. The other hindrance to ‘Complicated‘ is its length, as I feel Parmalee robbed themselves of a potentially gifted full length by cutting things off so soon.
Bottomline: Parmalee is sitting on a gem with ‘Complicated‘ and I hope they understand that. Rock bands who have seen moderate success wish they could get their hands on one of these puppies, because it would launch them from middle of the road mainstays to acclaimed top dogs. In Parmalee’s case, the band can only hope it’s just a matter of time before industry types come flocking over to their cause; with ‘Complicated‘ in tow, Parmalee have plenty of reason to keep their faith alive.
Rating: 9 out of 10
http://rapidshare.com/files/171852843/Parmalee_-_Complicated_EP_320kbps.zip