Reviews

Love Arcade’s self titled album saw every modern influence from the Postal Service to Head Automatica, and countless influences from pop bands of the 80’s and 90’s. The creative department seems to be headed up by one 19 year old musician simply known as Christian who writes, records, and produces all his own songs. Usually this sends up a red flag for repetition and underdevelopment, but it was surprisingly fresh and new, and left me with too much to say, as each track is notably unique and innovative.
 
The CD starts with “Keep It Coming”; a power packed dance song with what I must admit is a creative and well organized use of synthesizers. It gets a bit repetitive after a few listens, but otherwise I’d say it’s a perfect kickoff track. The pace slows a bit for “Sara”, a song seemingly based on a letter to an old friend, but keeps consistently catchy as it goes on. Thus far into the album I was pleasantly surprised- but was then put off a bit by “Candy”.
 
“Candy”, the third track of the CD, starts off with, “Lollipop, I won’t stop/gotta lick that sweetness from the top.” The only thing I know for sure is another use of the word sweetness would’ve made me uncomfortable. It made me wonder if I was listening to the new millennium’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me”. A tad suggestive and awkward listening to a guy I’ve never met talk about licking and- well I’ll spare you.
 
My favorite song of the CD, “Moses”, is a string and piano ballad reminiscent of Muse. Not quite as good as Muse, but I’ll give credit for good use of string instruments on the track. The docility is abruptly broken by “Can’t Stop”, a song of late 70’s early 80’s pop influence featuring everything from keyboards to a fake British accent I feel could have been better done by- well, anyone but him. It felt like there was something to be said about every track on the CD up to this point, until my mind was blown by the concept of one song.
 
Track 9, “Party”, kicks off with a Moby-esque synthesizer and drum part that draws your attention into it from the very beginning of the track. Just as you’re lured in, the song moves into a synthetic phone call between two people about going to a party. This aids to lead into their hit single “How I Beat Shaq” (just kidding). If for no one else but Christian’s sake, I hope this was a joke- no, I really do, because Aaron Carter is not an acceptable influence. This was actually a song I would ignore if you wish to enjoy the CD as a whole, because the voice effects on the chorus are nothing I would call “savory”.
 
Love Arcade’s self titled album was an interesting experience for me. It was unique, undoubtedly innovative, definitely a bit fun and campy, and certainly something for the MTV generation. Besides a couple songs I found personally annoying, the one major flaw of the CD is the lyrical value, but it has a sense of humor and musical style most modern music is missing. I’m giving it a very strong three stars, I’d like to see what else this Christian has up his sleeve for the next album, but check it out for yourself. You’ll either love it or hate it- or think it’s just okay (Mitch Hedberg).