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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watch for the Alabama Boys Choir..., January 6, 2003
I had the great privilege of seeing these guys live when they opened for Local H a while ago. Local Hs singer/guitarist/bassist Scott Lucas had said this was one of his favorite bands, but I knew nothing about the band going in (and the band has since changed their name to Alabama Boys Choir). And I was surprisingly impressed with every song they played. They did play some songs from their debut Souls For Sale, but I remember hearing Bang Bang, Lovely Isnt Love, Baby Got Shot, and Depression Is A Fashion from Into The Pink. Since that fateful night, I have been listening to this CD on a [habitually] regular basis. This is a very noteworthy album; one that shouldnt go overlooked. Heres a short summary of the 13 songs.Into The Pink starts with the melodious Lovely Isnt Love. Its opening line reads: we may get caught but well never be found / not until were on our knees. Its actually my second favorite song on the CD, although the piano and slow pace are not characteristic of most of their songs. The second song, the title track, is also very good. Into The Pink has a more grunge-ish feel to it. Yet its not comparable with the likes of Baby Got Shot. This songs as close to a single as it gets for the band. This song was actually the particular reason I looked into Verbena; after hearing it live of course. Its right up there (at least should be) with many of the best rock songs out there. John Beverly is another slow song; but with more guitar. Its very good, but still not better than track one. The next song, Pretty Please, is also one of my favorites. It has very appealing lyrics; and the music is similar to Baby Got Shot. If there is a weak point towards the beginning of the CD, its Monkey, Im Your Man. It kind of has a Pixies-like feel to it, which normally would be good, but it never really develops. Usually rock bands only use one slow song on their albums, but with Prick The Sun, Verbena already has three in the albums first half. Oh My is another catchy song; its very likable. Its drum-enforced chorus is excellent and the lyrics are easily superb. Submissionary is just as cool; there seems to be a trend within Verbenas songs. This ones very reminiscent of latter-day Nirvana. When they were playing live, I heard a fan shout Bang Bang; which allowed me to assume Bang Bang was one of their hits. And that assumption was correct. Although maybe not as good as (again) Baby Got Shot, it is still an excellent song. And the line were gonna kill the king / were gonna kiss the queen is certainly noteworthy. Bang Bang is definitely one of Into The Pinks best songs. The less-than 2-minute Depression Is A Fashion is awesome; and features the best lyrics of any song. Break down and use yourself says it all. Track 12, Sympathy Was Dead is also smart. It may be hard to enjoy; its start seems almost too similar to many of the previous songs, but the chorus and background vocals make it good. The epic closer (if thats fitting), Big Skies, Black Rainbows is another slow-paced hit, and is better than John Beverly and Prick The Sun (which its most similar to); though still not as good as Lovely Isnt Love. Its a phenomenal closer; since it really carries out the albums greatness. Its very hard to find music like this; that takes us back to grunge-like years without actually being grunge music. And whether you liked the infamous grunge scene or not, Verbenas Into The Pink is still an amazing CD. I am very thankful that I was able to see this band live, as I have become quite a fan. You probably know this band only through their ties with Local H if at all, but even if you dont, take a listen to this album... And Souls For Sale if you can find it. Be sure to watch for Alabama Boys Choir; (or Verbena, if in Alabama) when they come to your town. This is a great band and an excellent CD; and neither deserve to be ignored.
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by Verbena 
