smarterthan3's Full Review: Sing, But Keep Going by Sherwood
I’m anything but a fan of Greatest Hits/Best of… compilations unless they are a capstone on a truly remarkable career, but I would take a small exception in the case of Sherwood, a pop-punk outfit that looks quite stunning in the pictures, but is a lot more drab then you would expect when you finally see it in action. Here’s the thing: Sherwood, fronted by vocalist/songwriter Dan Koch, can write a small variety of guitar-based songs in the lighthearted vein as well as most of those caught up in the genre’s rat race. They may not be Fall Out Boy or Relient K when it comes to either popularity or pure wit, but they try their best. And when they successfully translate said best into their most moving/relatable/catchy numbers, it is positive affirmation of this genre’s worth contrary to some popular opinion. (Ah, who am I kidding? 90% of the stuff shoved under the pop-punk tent is all about living life to the party-filled fullest; it’s just the ones that make me actually believe it that I label a positive presence in the genre). But when they fall below the bar of very good, even into good, these guys are about as exciting to watch as an adolescent boy forced to partake in charades at a five-year old’s birthday party…and winning.
As far as first dips go, “We Do This to Ourselves” is suitable, if not engaging beyond the simple handshake of the fluffy, expected, guitar notes and lukewarm drum beat. It does the album a disfavor by being first in line as it fails to set anything of a tone. “Traveling Alone” is equally neat and scandal-less. The chorus is dull and rounded and it mixes the whole song into a healthy, but gray, mush.
Those highlights worthy of a re-release I mentioned are coming. “The Town That You Live In” is a nice recipe of loneliness sans angst. I’m quite surprised this number didn’t make it big on the radio (I’m 99% sure it was released), although it’s foundational similarities to Green Day’s“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and competition against it on the airwaves had lots to do with it, I’m sure (It’s sortof like saying the Utah Jazz would have been considered a team for the ages if they were in a generation younger then Jordan). The salty nostalgia of “Lake Tahoe (For My Father)” serves as another early highlight. While dreamy guitar strums lull and a xylophone-esque keyboard occasionally interjects, Mr. Koch reminisces of Lake Tahoe; obviously, a familiar meeting ground for young father and son. It reeks of nostalgia and, if you like that stuff, you’ll adore this as much as I do.
“Learn to Sing,” coaxes you into a fog with it’s preachy nature, but wakes you up with some nice, understated, vocal volume and A.D.D. influenced verse writing. “I’ll Wait for You” spices things up with a slacker of a drum intro and a mildly spicy piano romp. The bridge, half-full with the echoing shouts of band members declaring/crooning promises of availability to a traveling lover, is refreshing in a “Manual toy in an electric world” way (Okay, I’ve officially gone off the deep end). And “Like a Ghost” finally benefits from memorable lyrics (All these complaints don’t apply to the two previously mentioned highlights), but…
I find the major problem with this album is its lack of variety. It adds one little trick per track as it continues towards the belly of the album, and they are most of what has been mentioned in the above descriptions. It may not be that the second half is a lot less interesting then the first more then it is probably the fact that it was first come, first serve in the idea department, and they were arranged into two groups, shuffled randomly between themselves, and, voila(!), there’s your tracklist. The band isn’t without fault simply because they don’t have a big imagination, though. “What Lucy Found There,” aside from having potential (If such a thing can be gleaned from a title) and a tranquil setting is as deep, empty and as easy to reach down into as a pair of silk basketball shorts (pockets). And I have yet to meet a song that truly benefited from a 1:39 running time. Or an album that made the listener want to hit the repeat button on the strength of a 2-minute wish-wash finale.
I wouldn’t call it a dilemma, quite, but I have some trouble with Sherwood. I want to recommend them, label them my own little indie band that I knew before everyone else on my street does, but they certainly aren’t making it easy. I became friendlier with their 2007 sophomore release "A Different Light" since I reviewed it but, even as that album grows stronger in areas, its flaws are magnified as well, balancing out to an even product once again (Although, compared to this, “Light” is much more alive). Take the top tracks from that LP and stir ‘em in with the top lights here and you’ll have a nice little five-star greatest hits EP, for those who like the genre. Another average rating to an unfortunately synonymous disc that, occasionally, juggles sticks of fire and, for a majority of its running time simply tosses two brightly colored bean bags in the air. Check out the raved-about tracks via download, but approach the rest with a veteran’s caution.
Great Music to Play While: Wishing this was an exceptional album so I could take the review title seriously
2.5 Stars
The Best of Sherwood*:
1. Give Up
2. The Town That You Live In
3. Never Ready to Leave
4. The Only Song
5. Lake Tahoe (For My Father)
6. Song in My Head
*One post-angst, nostalgia addicted person’s opinion**
**Reserves the right to be updated***
***Even if it’s just in the author’s head and not in print
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