Customer Reviews

Paint the Town

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i'm normally not a fan of 4/4 rock like this. there is nothing edgy or out of the ordinary about push stars. frankly, they would fall in the same category as huey lewis or hootie & the blowfish... EXCEPT... they write such great songs. my take on music is that a great song is a great song, be it rock, jazz, rap, country, etc... lyrically, even, there is nothing really revealing or special... but those songs stick like a juju bee in your filling. they defy all my expectations of what a "typical" bar band can do... don't expect new revelations. expect what 1000's of bands have done before, just done better.

Bouncy rock and roll meets a seemingly endless supply of positive energy and soul in this album. Here are some guys who know how to rock. They need to get more popular so they can spread their music further into the mainstream, thus loosening mediocre music's grip on our world. Mediocre this album is not.
With tracks like "Outside of a Dream", "Lucky Sevens" and "Dream Came Down" you will have these lyrics memorized in record time. These guys are what the future of music needs to be: they're fun, and they put on one hell of a live show. I saw them open for Great Big Sea in Philadelphia this past spring, and they held their own marvelously. After a week with this album in your discman you'll be listening to it from start to finish again and again. Listen to the wailing, synthesized opening of "Lucky Sevens" and you get chills. The optimistic, cheerful and drunken lyrics of "Keg on my Coffin" can make anyone smile.
Insanely addictive and almost suspiciously talented, you need this album.

1- Claire- 4/5
2- Outside Of A Dream- 5/5
3- In The Galaxy- 4/5
4- Lucky Sevens- 5/5
5- Every Angel- 4/5
6- Freedom- 3/5
7- Paint The Town- 4/5
8- Hanging By A Thread- 5/5
9- At Sea- 4/5
10- Dream Came Down- 5/5 (#1 song of the album)
11- Keg On My Coffin- 5/5
12- Drifting Away- 4/5

If you have never heard this band, buy this CD. It far and away Chris Trapper's best work to date. This album features the musicianship of one of the best singer songwriters you have never heard of. In this world of Hip Hop, Brittany, and Janet this album gives me hope that there are musicians out there that still write and play quality work. It is not that mass produced make a buck crap that has gripped the music industry lately.

You've probably heard them - on a tv show here or there, in your favorite grocery store or restaurant. You're probably familiar with their songs without even knowing it - "Any Little Town", "Everything Shines" both play on today's version of "muzak". "Everything Shines" was featured in the movie and soundtrack "Something About Mary". They've released 4 (I think?) excellent cd's that are far superior to most of what you hear on the radio. The question is still - WHY aren't these guys a household word? They toured with Matchbox 20 because Rob Thomas heard their new cd and loved it, they're presently touring with Canadian Celtic rockers Great Big Sea who have covered their songs but somehow that BIG success has always eluded them, perhaps because they fought to keep some kind of quality control even when signed to a major label - and they succeeded.

"Paint the Town" hopefully will be the release that changes that. These guys deserve to be heard. They should be all over the radio, but we know what's playing on the radio these days.

Anyway, to return to the subject at hand. When I first got the cd, I didn't think it was nearly as good as their others, particularly "Opening Time". I listened to it a few times and suddenly, it was in my head all the time, even when I WASN'T listening to it. Upon further listenings, it grew and grew on me. Chris Trapper is a songwriter's songwriter - his songs are so simple...at first. The more you listen, the more you realize they're not simple at all. The difference I think between this and their other releases is the mood of the music. It's more cohesive and fits together better. The songs seem to flow into one another easily. The cd is reflective, yet lighthearted (Keg on my Coffin is so cute that you don't really think about how meaningful it really is).

It's difficult for me to pick out favorite songs - I like them all and they all grow on you, until you can't seem to get the cd out of your head OR your cd player. There IS still good music out there, and it's not hard to find if you look in the right places. This cd will be in your head long after the songs on the radio have faded away - I recommend it to anyone who is looking for good MUSIC. The Push Stars remain my favorite band, and I can't help but think they won't be such a secret much longer.

Once again, the Push Stars have managed to create an incredible piece of music. Chris Trapper is one of the best songwriters around today - there isn't a bad song on the CD. The first single, Outside Of A Dream, is a perfect example of Trappers' knack for great melodies and hooks that will catch you every time. Other songs like Every Angel, Hanging By A Thread, and Dream Came Down are similar in style. At the other end of the spectrum, songs like In The Galaxy, Freedom, and Keg On My Coffin, continue the acoustic sound that Chris Trapper had on his solo CD, Songs From The Drive-In (which is also a fantastic CD). Not to leave out the other guys, Dan Mcloughlin (who plays bass) adds amazing keyboards to the songs, and Ryan Macmillan on drums is way solid and powers the music along. Can you tell I like this band? They are my absolute favorite band - I can't think of anyone that even comes close. Paint The Town is worth every cent - just try and get the songs out of your head after you've listened to it a couple of times. I recommend it to anyone who likes music that is well written, well played, and just well.... awesome, I guess. Pick it up soon.

This is by far my favorite album that I own. Outside of a Dream, is one of the best songs I've ever heard, the lyrics, and sound are amazing. I find myself singing the chorus all the time. Once you get this cd, you'll find yourself listening to it in your car, and then taking it back inside with you, so you can hear it again. Also Keg on my Coffin is such a cool song. What I love about the Push Stars is that their music is so catchy, and has a great sound, but also the songs are meaningful. It's not fluff. Chris Trapper, Ryan Macmillan, and Dan McLoughlin are the finest musicians of all time. I'd definitely reccomend this album to anyone who likes music, and you should definitely try to see them play live. Paint the Town is a must own!

Once again the PushStars have released an incrdible album of diverse musical genious. From the first single "Outside of a Dream" to the pop worthy "Paint the Town" this album is one that you will be whistling at work and telling your friends about. A gem. Some other favorites are "Keg on My Coffin" and "Freedom", both with a folk feel and great lyrics and a great toe tapping cadence. Pick this one up, you will not be disappointed.

I've been following the Pushstars for almost 10 years now, and I can honestly say that "Paint the Town" is one of the best albums the band has produced. The number of upbeat, energetic tunes ("In the Galaxy," "Lucky Sevens," and "Keg on my Coffin") balances nicely with some quieter ballads ("Outside of a Dream," "At Sea"). As always, Chris Trapper's lyrics complement catchy melodies without compromising on intelligence or meaning. Each song is a story that carries you along with it. Another great addition to a fine body of music from one of Boston's best original bands!

Push Stars' "Paint the Town" is a bubbly pop confection that thunders, rocks & ultimately charms. "In the Galaxy" is slow & sweet with a simple chord progression for the love song, "All I need is to just believe in you endlessly like the sun on the sea." "Freedom" likewise draws you in with the earnest love of a working man, "So I crank the tunes up in my car & drive to anywhere you are, And if my car broke down well then I'd run." The title track jams a bevy full of lyric into the driving rhythm and then explodes on the gorgeous chorus, "Long enough to say we saw the sun come up; The songs we sing will sooth our suffering." "Dream Came Down" bubbles with Trapper's vocals sounding like the boy next door, "Who thought hope would show her face down here?" "Lucky Sevens" & "At Sea" are also strong tracks. "Paint the Town" is like a bullet that hits its target, music that satisfies. Enjoy!

I bought about 1000 cd's in my life so far and this is one of a few cd's that I can play, from the beginning to the end, without skipping any track.
Awesome, the Push Stars got me hooked forever.