by Emily Myer
Daily Lobo
Pop music has hit an all-time low.
With marginally talented pop princesses ruling the charts, Simple Plan fits right in. Considering the band writes its own lyrics, it may be a bit of an improvement. Yet its new album, Still Not Getting Any... is remarkably similar to its last album, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls.
The band's latest attempt is full of songs about how bad life can be when you're hauling in millions as an internationally known punk group. Teen angst, rebelling against social norms and betrayal by a girlfriend or friend are the recurring themes.
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The album is more pop than punk. Point-in-case: Bass player David Desrosiers thanks Avril Lavigne and Hillary Duff for their support of the band. The poppy tunes are catchy and fun to listen to as long as the listener isn't hoping to find any life-directing inspiration beyond manufactured teenage rebelliousness.
Every track seems to channel emotions and problems from high school despite the fact the band members are in their early 20s. Fans who are looking for more mature material will be disappointed by lyrics suggesting the members don't want to think about tomorrow. Instead, they'd rather "jump" tonight.
Most of the lyrics are stereotypical of the pop-punk genre, which includes artists such as Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte and Ashlee Simpson. Lyrics repeatedly scream "Shut up," and members say they will never be stopped, that the world just needs to leave them alone and get out of their way.
The boys attempt to be different or rebellious, but most of the time they come off as whiney. Every track is a complaint about the singer's life. Individual songs are fun on their own, but when integrated into an album, the predominant message becomes an ode to lead singer Pierre Bouvier's misery.
Still Not Getting Any... does hold two surprises - a fairly advanced guitar solo in track nine, "Promise," and an untitled track at the end with orchestral music. The guitar solo is indicative of the band developing into more talented musicians.
The untitled track starts off as promising, with a piano and orchestra as the only music, but reverts back to the same formula of moaning.
Simple Plan has managed to keep a lot of the old punk-rock spirit in their lyrics but has added more whines, catchy choruses and bubblegum-inspired music. Every song on the album sounds like a possible hit for the radio. Even if you find the lyrics to be simple-minded, you can't help but sing along.
Still Not Getting Any...
Simple Plan
Lava / Warner
Grade: C
