Returning for their third consecutive album, titled The Show Must Go, British Columbia’s Hedley ditches their known edgy-pop vibe for a more traditional pop. Something Hedley fans can be familiar with but something that’s also a little bit different than anything else they’ve done in the past.
Lead singer Jacob Hoggard goes back to his Canadian Idol days in a sense, using his raw vocals that got him noticed and into the final three back in 2005. He uses his unique and powerful vocals to make his mark on all the new songs on the album. He channels his uniqueness and turns it into something that everybody can’t help but love.
The first two colourful tracks on the album are their first and second singles off the album. Cha-ching and Don’t Talk to Strangers helps the band vocalize their views about the commercialization and obsession with fame these days as well as the ever popular “cougars” – those obsessive older women who love to seduce the younger generation of males.
All songs have a steady beat and strong instrumentals. Guitarist Dave Rosin has amazing finger skills on the guitar and improves every time I hear him play. He has a way of engaging the audience every single time he picks up a guitar. I can’t help but smile when I hear him play.
Other songs boast an almost reggae like sound. Songs such as Friendsand Shelter have a lighter drumbeat and a stronger emphasis on the guitar. The lyrics are upbeat and happy but come with a message of friendship and being there through anything.
No CD wouldn’t be complete with out a few power ballads and Amazing and Perfect are just that – power ballads. Both leave you with chills and a realization that everybody can relate to the songs more than they care to admit. Perfect is one of my favourite songs and I must admit, I often have it on repeat!
The last song I would like to mention, purely on the fact that it’s unconventional in today’s music world, is called Sweater Song. Pretty much written in one big grouping, the song portrays the story of a musician going away on tour and leaving his sweater behind for the one he loves. The song itself lacks a chorus, bridge or anything else that resembles the traditional structure of a song.
All in all this is the best album that has yet to be released by Hedley. It’s soulful, the lyrics are full of compassion and love, and the overall powerful sound is almost overwhelming – almost.
Seeing Hedley grow up throughout the years has been somewhat of an honour. Seeing them go from a band struggling to get out of the shadow of Canadian Idol and touring non-stop for months on end to producing a third album and headlining in their first stadium tour in the spring of 2010. It always amazes me what musicians/bands can accomplish when they set their mind and give all their heart.
Hedley’s new album The Show Must Go is available everywhere and on itunes.
For more information on Hedley and their up-coming tour across Canada please visit: http://www.myspace.com/hedley
♫♫♫♫ (out of five)
Written by: Taryn McElheran
(Originally posted on Dec 10, 2009 on www.sugarcainentertainment.com)
♫ (horrible) ♫♫ (meh) ♫♫♫ (it’s okay) ♫♫♫♫ (worth the buy) ♫♫♫♫♫ (must buy)
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