Label: Big Machine/Sony MusicRating: 3.5 Guns
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Written By: Natalie Perez
(Metal Editor)
Three years have come and gone since Boys Like Girls' last album. BLG are a pop-rock sensation that had the world in the palm of their hands in 2006, just after the release of their self-titled debut. Their next round of creation is “Love Drunk," a major label follow-up that takes their former hard rock sound and does a 180 degree turn into the pop direction.
These modern pop-rockers were already considered a pop-rock sensation in 2006 - but this time they've taken the "pop" genre to a higher standard. Their first single, the title track, proved that their former hit “The Great Escape,” was just a glimpse into the musical direction that these Boston rockers were aiming towards. That being said, a chiming lead guitar riff comes thundering in reminding us of their other smash hit "Thunder."
"Love Drunk" reminds you of those poppy, bouncy teenager anthems with a chorus that grasps your heart and soul. Many bands tend to abuse the key changes when writing their songs, giving them that mainstream flair, but not Boyslikegirls - They're able to be pop without being formulaic, and without lacking of substance or originality whatsoever. The amazing swing found throughout this album, captures the the essence of what pop music should be and hopefully will become in the future.
As a stand-out track, "Two Better Than One," strikes the proper chord; a most beautiful acoustic song that highlights the rhythm guitar and vocal of frontman, Martin Johnson. The more studio-edited tunes “Contagious,” and “The Shot Heard ‘Round The World,” head back into the standard pop direction. The instrumental flair rises upward causing an overheating mixture of guitar leads and catchy riffs with catchy chorus to take you over from start to finish.
Boys Like Girls may have been gone for three long years but have returned with a more matured sound and style to balance it evenly and according to what they had intended to do.
