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After the Room Clears

 
Album Review: After the Room Clears

  • Artist: Permanent ME
  • Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Release Date: January 30, 2007
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

Every once in a while a band comes along that just makes you smile. Permanent ME is that kind of group, with all the flamboyant swagger of a Cheap Trick, the sense of fun of the Go-Go's, and the charm of the Romantics. But before the band commits mass suicide, be assured that although Permanent ME may boast the spirit of these groups, they sound nothing like any of them. In fact, their influences are fairly subtle, more a nod to general genres than any specific bands. The poppier side of rock definitely left a mark, as did the juttery stop-start rhythms of post-punk and their modern proponents (Franz Ferdinand, anyone?), but so did punk and new wave. Melody driven, but without smacking you in the head with overly showy hooks, there's a brightness to their sound but a shading to the production that posits them somewhere between indie and pop. "Allison" is the obvious point of entry to After the Room Clears, a track initially included on Permanent ME's Dear Virginia EP, and now spun off this set onto a single, an exuberant, tempo twisting number with a splendid singalong chorus. Album opener "Until You Leave" is just as strong, but more rock orientated, and featuring an even more dizzying chorus. There again, every song within has its own charms, be it the chiming guitars that illuminate "Heartattack," the keyboards that sweep across "By the Time," the rousing harmonies of "Blackjaw," the evocative mood that underpins "4 A.M.," the yearning for home that wraps around "NYC," the power that electrifies "Christine" or the pop-punk perfection of "20 Years." Like their music, Permanent ME' lyrics too are meaty, with sharply drawn vignettes that rumble with emotion. A superb debut, and if this album doesn't make you smile, it must be time to refill that Prozac. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Until You Leave Brian Kapler, Permanent ME Permanent ME (3:19)
Allison Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (3:04)
Heartattack Brian Kapler, Permanent ME Permanent ME (3:43)
4 A.M. Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (2:44)
Christine Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (2:21)
Blackjaw Suitcase Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (3:35)
By the Time Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (2:56)
Later On Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (3:00)
Friday Night Brian Kapler, Permanent ME Permanent ME (2:44)
Dead to You Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (3:02)
New York City Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (3:03)
Twenty Years Permanent ME, Brian Kapler Permanent ME (3:03)

Credits

Terese Joseph (A&R), Matt Squire (Audio Engineer), Andy West (Design), Matt Squire (Engineer), Matt Squire (Mixing), Rey Roldan (Publicity), Sarah Lewitinn (A&R), Joseph Guccione (Vocals), Meaghan Montagano (Portrait Photography), Justin Morrell (Bass), Brian Kapler (Vocals), Brian Kapler (Guitar), Louis Marino (Layout Design), Matt Squire (Audio Production), Matt Squire (Producer), Joseph Guccione (Guitar), Mike Fleischmann (Drums), Mike Fleishman (Drums), Louis Marino (Artwork), Andy West (Art Direction)
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Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more