Customer Reviews

Funny Thing

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Good
"Inside Your Head" uses a simple yet effective chord pattern, highlighted by a melodic chorus. "Anyway" is just as effective, as 40 Ft. Ringo echo most men when they sing about; despite the abuse, we are all crazy in love. "Big Fat Smile" is led by an infectious guitar lead and drumbeat, and describes someone who is a bad ass, or at least thinks they are. There are arena rock riffs aplenty on "Origami Mommy". For such a happy sounding tune, it sure has a dark message about destroyed feelings.

A Freak Like You" has a Green Day-like feel to it with its three chord progression and catchy little riffs. The tempo slows down a bit "I Miss You Blue". Soothing and touching vocals are backed by serine acoustic guitars. As with most of the songs on this CD, "Anti-Zero" has a very radio-friendly appeal to it. An obsessed stalker is the main focal point of the bluesy track "Fanatic". The song is meant to be all in fun and is about a celebrity stalker, not a scary ex-boyfriend/girlfriend kind.

The Bad
It's been out for a year and had pretty much fell under the radar. However, it was just recently re-released with five bonus tracks.

The Verdict
I never really listened to Trixter when they were around, so I couldn't tell you if they were good or bad. 40 Ft. Ringo's latest however is a great modern melodic rock album. Between the familiar chord changes, instantly recognizable guitar riffs, well-written sometimes playful lyrics, and melodic vocals, it really is a no-brainer to have this one in your CD collection.

40FT. RINGO "FUNNY THING" is one of the best cd's that came out in 2003.
amazing songs, great big guitars and melodies to die for.
If you like CHEAP TRICK ,GOO GOO DOLLS & SIMPLE PLAN
YOU WILL LOVE 40FT. RINGO

NOTE** - This is not a 100% complete review because Amazon doesn't have the US version, and I've never heard the bonus tracks here.

Anyway, the band was formed from the ashes of one of the worst 80's hair bands, Trixter. Guitarist Steve Brown and bassist PJ Farley show they had quite strong melodic gifts, and did a more than serviceable job on this nu-breed, pop punk album. Power pop, AOR, and pop punk fans will all find a lot to like here, as almost every song has a smash chorus and strong verse. Only problem is, as with a lot of 90's/00's pop punk, no matter how good it is, when I want to hear this type of music I still reach for 70's and 80's pop punk bands like the Ramones, Quick, and Cheap Trick. While hardly revolutionary, this album does contain a nice variety of power pop/rock, from the heavy riffage of "Wired" to the updated monster ballad "Origami Mommy" - for a good fix of catchy rock, pick this up, I'd almost say it's worth the steep import price.

Best Tracks:
"Anyway" - Slamming opener with a ready for radio chorus and some nice jangle thrown in with the power chords.
"Origami Mommy" - Power ballad that falls somewhere between Warrant and Matchbox 20 - and somehow that is a very good thing. Catchy but still very guitar driven for a ballad.
"Book Of Virtues" - Another punky, ready for radio potential hit. Better than Blink, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte by MILES.
"Unbroken" - More of the same, thank you - this has some tongue-in-cheek 80's rock style goofy lyrics, I love it!
"Tough" - Ends the album on a soft, but not too sappy note. If the Smiths had done this first it would be a jangle pop classic, a nice change of pace for the album.

This album is worth every penny. Steve Brown's writing, singing and guitar playing just gets better all the time, and PJ's bass is really smooth. "Inside Your Head" was definitely my favorite. The songs are catchy and the sound really rocks. Looking forward to these guys getting some radio play.

a great cd one for the collection ,buy it