Album Review: Makeshift Lullaby – ‘Shadows’


Makeshift Lullaby are a three piece from the Bronx who seem to be somewhere between teenybopper pop rock and earnest adult alternative balladeer-ing, and that’s not saying anything against the band.  They stand strong and seem pretty genuine on debut disc Shadows, even though there’s enough syrup (over-processed/produced sugar) in this album to cover a pile of pancakes.  Sadly, I’m not feeling particularly hungry after Howie Day and the Fray just cooked me breakfast in bed…

Led by singer/songwriter John Black, the group moves quite easily between songs that touch upon being in love, being out of love, and being in love some more.  This isn’t surprising, and in the end the album is no more than Black guy singing his poetry against petty chords and some random string sections.  Once again, this isn’t a bad thing if you’re into it, and I have a little cousin who would adore this.  Her emo phase is slowly ending and her birthday is coming up, so I think I found a perfect gift.

I must say I have found two big faults with this album, none of which are major.  It’s one thing to write a good and listenable song, but it’s something else to write a catchy one.  After two listens to the album, I find that nothing has stuck except a hopeful vibe and a cure for drinking too much RedBull.  Other artists give the same feeling and have much more recognizable melodies to boot.  I think it would be in the group’s best interest to listen to some Jack’s Mannequin, because they’re a good example of a band covering the same territory and making it count.

My other issue is purely with the length of Shadows.  Seventy one minutes?  You must be joking.  To me that just screams “put me on before you go to sleep and I’ll soundtrack your dreams, only because I’ll still be playing when you enter the REM stage.”  Sorry, that was too clever for me to leave out.  Also clever is saying that ‘Lullaby’ is in the band’s name for a reason.  Seriously though, this album needs to be cut in half, and if it was the result would be the nine better songs and a fifty percent higher chance of the disk making a lasting impression.

So there you have it.  I pride myself in being honest, but remember that I did twice say there isn’t anything terribly wrong with Makeshift Lullaby.  For what they are, they’re consistent and talented.  I just won’t remember them unless they play the last slow song at my prom.  My favorites are “Eviction Notice” and “A Steady Reign,” if you were curious to know.

For more information on Makeshift Lullaby check out their official website, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter pages. Get Shadows now on iTunes.

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