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Artist: Exit the Ordinary
Album: Exit the Ordinary
Label: Clear Glass Recordings
Release Date: February 10, 2009
Review by: Michael Mayer III
Tracklisting:
- Fly Away
- Letting Go
- Need to Know
- Conditional
- When I Look at You
- The Place You Are
- In Paradise
- Feel You Slip Away
- This Life
- Reflections
- Here I Am
- Grey Lines
- Here in These Arms
- Life’s Maze
Sometimes I can’t help but get frustrated with a band when they create some of the most catchy singles and then can’t quite piece together an album that follows suit. It’s as if they know how to create those addictive pop numbers that stick in your head and they simply choose not to for a full album. Instead they have a mixed bag of gems and Fool’s Gold. After giving Exit the Ordinary’s self-titled debut some time to soak in, that’s exactly how I feel.
I always get a little worried when I see an album’s tracklist get close to reaching 15 songs, but I give a band the benefit of the doubt. Seeing most of the tracks hover around the three minute mark reassured me a bit and it’s a good thing they didn’t let some of those songs drag on any longer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if the songs are horrible. It’s just that a lot seem to kind of wander aimlessly with no real trait to stand out. In fact, most of the songs after the brilliantly poignant ‘When I Look at You’ feel this way.
The first five tracks are well-crafted pop/rock songs that will stick in your head immediately. Whether it’s the addictive beat of the synth heavy ‘Letting Go’, or the catchy riff that drives ‘Conditional’ or the vocal hooks in all of the songs you can’t help but feeling like dancing and rocking out. It helps that Tim West’s vocals are very strong, somewhat reminiscent of Dan’s from Jars of Clay. There are also some gems spread throughout the album like ‘In Paradise’ and ‘This Life’, but the rest leave much to be desired. In a lot of ways this CD reminds me of Seabird’s debut last year. Catchy songs abound, both fast and slow, but as a whole they could’ve been so much more if they were a bit more focused and, in this case, trimmed down.
Seeing as this is their debut album and they are probably still finding out what their sound is and who they are, I can look past the negative points a bit. I just think they need to channel what makes their best songs catchy and try to create (not re-create) that magic every time. Making me hum a tune all day at work or sing along loudly in my car is what these guys do best and if they can craft an album with less tracks that bring that all out of me I would be ecstatic.
Overall: Exit the Ordinary have a solid launching point for their career with sure-fire radio hits. I have a feeling that sophomore album is going to be a make or break type of thing for them. But that’s the future and for right now I say Exit the Ordinary is worth picking up if you have some extra cash for the 7 or so songs that are amazing.
Gems of this album are: ‘Letting Go’, ‘Conditional’, ‘When I Look at You’
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| 02/09/2010 03:07 am | News
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This is really well-written (the review, I mean). I might check at laest a few songs out.
Not only have I purchased this CD (before reading your review), but I, for one, am GLAD they included so many songs! It’s nice to see a band willing to give their all and give you “more bang for your buck” these days.
In my opinion, there isn’t a bad song on the album. Once I start playing it, I don’t want to turn it off until I listen to the whole thing. Such a refreshing change from albums by other bands that only have one hit and the rest are clinkers. This is an album full of hits, IMHO, and I think these guys are going a long way.
Of course, I’ve seen these guys live (a MUST do when you get the chance!), so I may have the added benefit as a listener to their music in having already experienced the energy of their live show. They really know how to reach their audience. I was waiting for the CD to release and bought mine at Best Buy as soon as it came out. It did not disappoint!
Well, Michael, I definitely have to agree with the many, many points you bring up about the new release by Exit the Ordinary. Yes, they do “create some of the most catchy singles” and “know how to create those addictive pop numbers that stick in your head.” And, yes, the “first five tracks are well-crafted pop/rock songs that will stick in your head immediately” and “you can’t help but feeling like dancing and rocking out.” I too feel that “Tim West’s vocals are very strong”, and it is always a good thing being reminded of Dan from Jars of Clay!
I also find that “making me hum all day at work and singing along loudly in my car is what these guys do best,” and one of my favorite things to do! And once more, you are so right – “Exit the Ordinary have a solid launching point for their career with sure-fire radio hits.” And like it or not, that is always a good thing!
It seems the real negative point for you is the length of the tracklist – the 13 tracks, plus the short “Life’s Maze” at the end, but still the total time is still about 45 minutes. With songs on the shorter side as these, I don’t see how they have much room to “wander aimlessly with no real trait to stand out.”
And I must agree, it has been a while since I have purchased a CD with 13+ tracks on it, but I also can’t remember the last time a bought a CD with “7 or so songs that are amazing.” And, yes, amazing – making this so worth the purchase. And that is definitely a good thing!
Good and insightful review – but I would give Exit the Ordinary the rating of 9/10.
Thanks for the comments folks. I realize my review may seem a bit harsh but, hey, that’s why they call ‘em opinions! :-P
Griffin: Do that if you can. A simple check at their Myspace or website will give you the chance to hear those songs that I loved the most so it’s as good of a place to start as any.
Pamela: I agree that 13+ songs doesn’t happen a lot and I love it when a band does it well (see: House of Heroes or The Classic Crime of last year), but it can be a bad thing too. Granted, none of the songs are horrible, like you said, but if a song doesn’t stand out to me or have some signature sound and then there’s a few more like it on an album that can be a problem. Maybe those songs do stand out to you but for me they didn’t. Oh, and I’m sure they are great live. I actually just saw Seabird a couple of weeks ago and they did a great job. So much so that I actually revisted their ‘08 release and enjoyed it more. I wouldn’t be surprise if the same would happen to me after seeing Exit the Ordinary live.
songsprings: I know that 45 minutes is the norm on CD’s so it’s not the length that worries me. It’s more of the fact that I feel there are some weak tracks on the album that chop up the flow and don’t do enough to stand out and be worthwhile. I guess my opinion is I’d rather have 11 songs that get my attention instead of 14 where only half of them do. Again, more power to those who do enjoy all 14 songs.
An old Mae copycat with a little of Copeland old stuff. Either way, I like it.
I agree with your analysis of this CD completely. I am happily adding the whole album to my mp3 player because it is so easy to listen to. . Tim West has a great voice and I hope they do come up with “what makes their best songs catchy and try to create (not re-create) that magic every time” on future albums. I will listen to them for a long time.
One thing to add, I heard “Letting Go” on the radio before I listened to the CD and originally thought it was a remake! Great to hear them get airtime so quickly, they’ve certainly earned it.
I am so glad to hear that this band is already getting radio play. The singer does have a great voice. The lyrics are so amazing and different, not the usual, same old predictable lines. So many surprises! I love the earnest searching and humbleness of the lyrics. A true cry of everyone’s heart. And the message is not sad and gloomy, but full of joy and hope. Can’t wait see them play live one day.
Just saw on their myspace that Exit the Ordinary will be live at the Rock For Life Showcase this Monday, April 20, at Uptown 162 in Downtown Nashville, along with Sonic Flood, John Schlitt, and a few other bands. Sounds like a great evening with a great cause, and admission is free! Doors are at 7:00 p.m.
That is great news – just wish I lived close to Nashville. I am waiting to see them again at Cornerstone Festival this year. Saw them a few years back and they rocked.
Squeeeeeeee!!! Exit the Ordinary is playing Cornerstone this weekend! I can’t wait!!!!!!
Yes – Exit the Ordinary will be hitting the stage on Friday, July 3rd, at the Cornerstone Festival. They will go on at 4:45 p.m on the Label Showcase Stage. I will be there for sure!