Crazy World - Boys Like Girls

When they debuted in 2006, Boys Like Girls hit the scene with hits like "The Great Escape", "Hero/Heroine", and "Thunder" and captured the minds and hearts of fans all over. Their first CD, Boys Like Girls, was a major success and lead to many tours across the U.S. and all over the world. Their second album Love Drunk, spawned another few big hits like "Love Drunk", and their collaboration with Taylor Swift, "Two Is Better Than One", but was not quite as successful as their debut. Love Drunk was released in 2009, and was accompanied by more touring, which I was privileged enough to attend. They put on a great show, as well as supporting acts Cobra Starship and The Maine. Between 2010-2011, many rumors spread around pertaining to a new record and the band splitting. It turned out that the record rumors were false, and the split rumors were semi true. The band was put on hold indefinitely, and many side projects began.

However, the band revealed last year that they were hard at work on a new album, which was finally released last week on December 11th. It's called Crazy World. I had listened to three of the songs which had been released in an EP in July, and was eager to hear the rest of the record. It felt like Boys Like Girls had some new energy, yet they had also matured. They also adapted a hint of country in their music, which is something that a few bands have picked up on in the last few years. After downloading the new album, I plugged in my speakers and let it play through. I was thoroughly impressed. Granted, it was not the same Boys Like Girls when they debuted, but that's expected. It's necessary. If they hadn't changed, evolved, matured, then they wouldn't be able to keep making music. So I was pleased with their direction. Most of the songs are very laid-back, summertime songs, like "Red Cup Hands Up Long Brown Hair" or "Life Of The Party", the later including an awesome addition of a gospel choir. They have some with a more sad tone, but it works very well for the record. These tunes include "Leaving California" and "Take Me Home", both of which were fantastic. Overall, my personal favorite from the album was "Stuck In The Middle", a song which ironically has a similar message to that of the classic song "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World. The acoustic introduction brings to mind the beautiful "Hero/Heroine",  and the song then unfolds with driving drums and big synths.

Now, not every album is perfect. I thought this was a very solid effort from Boys Like Girls, but I had one complaint; their song "Cheated". Cheating is a subject that has been covered in much detail in songs, and needs to now be handled with a fresh and creative look. Boys Like Girls did a very generic song about a relationship gone because of cheating, and I believe it was the lowest point of the album. However, the rest of the album was done very well, and I was thoroughly impressed.

Rating:
4/5

Songs to get?:
Stuck In The Middle
Life Of The Party
The First Time
Leaving California