Album Review
Three Stars (***)
By Anthony Kuzminski
Brian Vander Ark crooned and wailed an anthem for a whole generation a little over a decade ago with the wonderfully heartrending and philosophical “The Freshman”. Released in 1997, the song became more than a song, but a prayer to a world hoping to find solace in it or at least a diversion from a callous world that didn’t care. It was an overwhelming accomplishment so early in the career of Vander Ark’s band, The Verve Pipe. Despite making two first-rate follow up albums (a self-titled album in 1999 and Underneath in 2001), the band went on hiatus and Brian Vander Ark released a series of excellent solo albums including 2003’s superb Resurrection. Pulling from within and expunging his own personal demons, Vander Ark is an artist in the truest sense of the word and is anything but a one-hit wonder, but an ever evolving and notable musician. 2009 saw the Verve Pipe reunite and they did more than just reform for reunion shows, but recorded a new record, one no one in their wildest imagination could ever have imagined; a children’s album. The band was asked to contribute to a song to a compilation album, Calling All Kids. What began as one song blossomed almost immediately into ten songs that became A Family Album.
A little more than a year ago, I may have very well dismissed this record, but with a daughter who just turned one, when the disc arrived in my mail, I took an interest, loaded it into my iPod, where it has stayed and continually been played for weeks. Bridging middle ground between Sesame Street albums and the Beatles, the Verve Pipe has created a record that both children and parents can listen to and enjoy. The ten songs that encompass the record are full of bright choruses and contagious melodies that will swim inside your mind after one listen. “Wake Up” is full of serendipitous harmonies, as are all of the album’s eleven songs. “When One Becomes Two” is soft-hearted yet the band’s delivery is spot on. There’s a childish sense of wonder to sing-a-long songs exemplified on “Cereal”, “Suppertime” and “Go To Sleep Now” and yet it’s their experience with writing melodic gems that allows them to get away with a record that induces a smile at every turn.
The Verve Pipe and Brian Vander Ark have created visceral music that flourished with voices and guitars that speak to and resonate strongly with their audience for nearly two decades. While the Verve Pipe is in the process of recording a new record, they’re calling their own shots. They are not tied to a major label at this time and just want to create the best music they can. While A Family Album was a detour I am not sure anyone saw coming, it’s a welcomed collection of songs. It’s the first step in what will hopefully be a flourishing and vital second act. Until those new rock songs appear, A Family Album can keep you company with its insanely fun, playful and memorable songs that will turn your smile upward.
Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicago based writer and Special Features Editor for the antiMusic Network and his daily writings can be read at The Screen Door and can be contacted at thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com.
