Simple Plan

by

Simple Plan

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Believe me, I am not a big fan of the electronic blips and blats that are littered throughout Simple Plan's third full length album. And I also might add that there are no less than 4 ballads on the album (one of which is a transparent re-write of Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and the other sounds way too much like the Backstreet Boys' "More Than That"). However, there IS a spectacular ballad on the disc, the piano-laden "I Can Wait Forever." Simple Plan is always at its best, though, when it attacks a straightforward rocker, such as "Time To Say Goodbye" and the hook-laden "Take My Hand." The boys don't always hit the mark, but they deserve props for not putting out the same album three times in a row....or like so many bands do, soften out completely (like Relient K). There is a good bit of guitar rock here, and far more hooks than other bands in this genre crank out every few years. I give it four stars because at times the sound is intriguing, and other times it is annoying (like on the disasterously embarrasing track "Generation'), and although the band goes to great lengths to sound different or unique, in some form or another, you have heard all of these songs before.

Here's a run-through of a few selected tracks:

When I'm Gone - First single off the album, big hook & chorus, but kind of slow-paced.

Take My Hand - The beat sounds exactly like The Bravery's "Honest Mistake" but the hook is very catchy.

Generation - Wretched synth intro, worse than Europe's "Final Countdown." This track is embarrassing.

Time To Say Goodbye - Their trademark pop-punk sound.

I Can Wait Forever - No, this is not a cover of the song by Air Supply. This is actually a great track and the best the band has ever done. Hope you enjoy.