Cover Art
After the release of 5 Extended Plays (demo-shmemo, Yippee, Me & My Uke, The Summer, and an untitled EP often called Hot Topic), NeverShoutNever! frontman Christofer Drew Ingle released his debut mini-album, What Is Love? The mini-album has 8 tracks, with 4 bonus tracks (2 are available through dowload with the purchase of the album, and 2 others are iTunes bonus tracks).
Track List:
1. Love Is Our Weapon
2. Jane Doe
3. Can’t Stand It
4. Sacrilegious
5. I Love You 5
6. California
7. What Is Love?
8. The Past
Love Is Our Weapon is the opening track of the album. The beginning vocals start off a little bit muted, and I was wondering if my speakers were malfunctioning. Luckily, they weren’t, and the song is officially kicked off with a loud “HEY!” It keeps a steady beat throughout, and seemingly talks about changing the world using “love as our weapon” and “working out the pissy little problems that we’re fighting about.” All in all, it’s a decent, upbeat song that’s worth the listen.
Jane Doe is the album’s second track, and the first track on his most recent extended play. It has a light, somewhat airy feel, and it played mostly on acoustic and electric guitar, and another instrument that I can’t quite tell what it is. The song is quite reminiscent of his earlier works, namely that from the Me & My Uke extended play. It’s the second shortest track on the album, with a run time of one minute and fifty-six seconds.
Can’t Stand It is the third track, and by far one of my favorites. It starts off with an acoustic guitar and finger-snapping underneath Christofer’s vocals. The phrase “…is super-fucking cute” is probably what gave the What Is Love? album it’s parental advisory label. It has a continuous, catchy beat that will keep that song on repeat in your iTunes or mp3 player. It’s the second longest track on the album, with a run time of two minutes and fifteen seconds.
Sacrilegious is the fourth track, which seems like it’s talking about Christofer’s views on religion, and is another track that could remind one of his older works. Its seems like a quite nondescript song, but it carries a powerful message, beautiful guitar chords, and a wonderful melody with an amazing chorus. Though this song is the shortest on the album, running at one minute and fifty one seconds, it’s definitely worth the listen.
I Love You 5 is the fifth track, and nearly the complete opposite of “Sacrilegious.” It has an upbeat drum and guitar beat, and explodes into a great pop/rock track. After one of the choruses, it goes into a softer, more melodic section with what seems like a violin or cello in the background. The “ba-da-da” in the background after this section is just a great addition, and just adds to the flair and charm of this song. The ending is what makes it most spectacular.
California is the sixth track on the album, and my absolute favorite. A refrain of “la-la-las” in the background of the chorus could keep you hooked; these “la-la-las” also make up the harmony in later choruses. It’s upbeat and happy, and one of those definite must-repeat tracks.
What Is Love? is the seventh and the title track of the album, and a little more hardcore than some of the others. Christofer’s vocals are extremely powerful in this song; “What Is Love?” seems to show the most striking differences between Christofer’s current musical style and the style of his older music. This song is one of the album’s best, and a must listen; the way he says the word “hope” in this song just makes you want to listen; the harmonies are also great too.
The Past is the eighth and final track on the album, and also my least favorite. It’s the longest song on the album, with a run time of four minutes and eight seconds. It’s very musically beautiful and diverse, but it’s still pretty boring. If you don’t enjoy listening to slow songs for over three and a half minutes, this song isn’t for you.
Overall Rating:
4/5
Reason For Rating:
The album undoubtedly had its good points, but songs such as “The Past” didn’t seem to fit with the album, and I’m just going to state it plainly: What Is Love? just didn’t fit the expectations I had sent after listening to extended plays like Yippee and Me & My Uke.
Recommended Tracks:
Can’t Stand It
I Love You 5
What Is Love?
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