Full Review: The Higher – It’s Only Natural
The thing which is most disappointing about ‘It’s Only Natural’ is the fact that at one point this band was so close to pop/punk perfection [on Histrionics] but have now proven, with this new album, that they care more about the possiblity of fame than the music.
The short and simplified reason for why this record is a mistake is because there doesn’t seem to be any soul in these songs. Even compared to the band’s last album (which was starting to go the way of over polished over produced pop/rock) ‘It’s Only Natural’ is unnatural with Botox-esque effects propping up what can’t stand on its own.
The title track “It’s Only Natural” wants to be the “sexual healing” song for a hipster scene crowd. It’s not just that one song though, but at every opportunity the band tries to inject some sort of sexual innuendo [spoiler warning, it does get old sooner rather than later]. More than any other release from this band this collection of songs seems to blend together with little variations beyond opening riffs. It’s debatable, but my vote for worst song would be “Play With Fire” which aims for a pop [maybe R&B?] genre but only ends up straddling mediocrity. “Undertaker”, which is the band’s ode to Vegas, seemed to be trying for the top position of worst song with its laughable lyrics, but in the the end “Play With Fire” is just confused about what it wants to be and takes the cake.
Talking about all the things that are wrong could go on for awhile and so even though it might be easy to bash an album it isn’t usually constructive. Using the rest of this review to offer suggestions rather than deflate it even more seemed more reasonable. The first thing I would put forward would be to remember the words from “Pace Yourself”, “you can’t write the same song over again…”. Looking back at the ‘Histrionics’ album as a mile marker, there was just a good mix of infectious hooks, solid rock, and even plenty of danceable groove moments. Moving forward in time to the band’s next album, ‘On Fire’, “Carly” sticks out as a sore thumb and seems to clearly be the direction the band headed. I would have preferred they chase after tracks like “Rock My Body” and “Movement” but then again those are old songs re-recorded from a time when they exceled.
I guess in the end I hope that The Higher go back in time and search for the driving motivation behind ‘Histrionics’ and use that as inspiration on their next record. If ‘It’s Only Natural’ does get a following though I’m afraid that will be something that never happens.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Nice review. While I agree with what you are saying, I also think it is important to look towards the future. Not musician wants to stay put where they are at musically. The band may want to explore more, and even though that new avenue may not be your cup of tea, it may be their own….. then again. They may just be sellouts.