Customer Reviews

Social Life

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

 

 

This was an impulse buy--I had never heard Koufax's music before, but I was pleasantly surprised--Social Life is a solid set of guitar/bass/keyboard pop songs that I guess could only be labeled as "alternative" today simply because this kind of pop music doesn't get played on the radio (hmm--maybe if their record company didn't promote them as being as "infectious as the clap"--just kidding!). I have noticed reviews of their other CDs seem to imply that Koufax's previous releases are a little more "emo" than their current one. I don't know about that, but the general mood I get from this disc is happy and optimistic, even when the topics are adultery or breaking off a relationship--the bounce, the jaunty keyboards and the chiming guitars are always in place. A few tunes drive a little harder--the title tune, "Break It Off," and "So Put On" (my favorite on the disc--love that intro)--but nothing too heavy--I'm thinking a less cynical and smart-assed Ben Folds, or of the lift I get from the Canadian band Sloan. Good company. The production is pretty much turn on the mikes and let 'em play; if you let these guys get a little creative in the studio, or have them under an inventive producer (for instance, if you're going to have such a long fade with repetition in the final track, why not spice it up a bit?), you could really secure a classic from these guys in the future. Until then, this is quite enjoyable.

One of they're greatest albums besides "It had to do with love". I could never find it in stores and im glad I found it here. Very fun and upbeat music with almost depressing lyrics but thats why I like them.

Koufax's previous albums weren't really that good, so it's good that "Social Life" fared a lot better. What's great about this album is that they finally create some genuinely fun and catchy tunes which aren't really cheesy or guilty pleasures. They STRAY on those two lines, but they somehow manage to stay in most-genre-fans-will-like-this territory. The singer is pretty good, but he's not great - most people will like him. Another good thing here is that every song is good-if-not great pop rock (with a little more "pop" than rock). The lyrics are sometimes interesting, but they're mostly there to help make the songs catchier. Musically the album is relatively unique, though it's mostly just indie pop rock with a piano every now and then. It's very well done and clean, however. All in all I think that fans of the band and genre will like this CD a lot. Recommended if you can get it for cheaper than the $22.00 it costs here.

Highlights include:
the entire album!

Koufax is incredible! They have that catchy, 80's punk/ keyboard, dance style akin to Hot Hot Heat or The Faint you can't get out of your head. I saw these guys live a couple months ago and they kicked so much ass on stage. Their sound reminded me of The Anniversary, but with the lyrics of Elvis Costello. It was incredible! I highly recommend Koufax and go see them live!!!!

If you like Phantom Planet or the Get Up Kids or even Rooney, definitely check out Koufax. I also agree with the other reveiwer - they have an awesome stage presence and great live show.

I'd never heard of Koufax and I (impulsively) bought this CD based solely on hearing the 30-sec samples of the first two tracks. The album sounded good at first, but after about the 4rd or 5th track I found myself bored already. The vocals have a tendency to be monotonous and predictable, the quasi-jazzy moments seem out of place, and lead singer Suchan is always trying to cram too many words in one line and not enough in others. The intros to some songs could get a bit cheesy and I'm still trying to figure out why the electric piano at times sounded like a cheap Casio. I can't say I hate the album, though I can't say I love it either. It's not a CD you can listen to all the way through in one sitting because it can get tedious, but it does have some very good songs that when heard singly stand on their own merits (Let Us Know and Social Life especially).