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Publication: The Recorder
Date: February 14, 2007
Title: Album: Meg & Dia: Something Real
Author: Samantha Sullivan
Original URL: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/recorder/entertainment/entertainment_item.asp?NewsID=220
I have to admit that I was shocked at my own opinion of this CD; after listening to the entire album multiple times in an attempt to change how I felt, I realized that it was too late. The sophomore Meg & Dia album Something Real officially blows.
I will admit that I had high hopes for the duo. I feel strongly for women breaking out into the music industry as more than big boobs and pretty faces. We don't need any more Jessica Simpson's or Britney Spears' flouncing around, but this CD just didn't do it for me.
Don't get me wrong—these girls have talent, and I would support their efforts, if it weren't for their poor song choice. I can see where they were going with their first song, titled "Monster." I love it. Actually, it's the only song that I did like. It is then followed, however, by songs that completely deter from the genre they claim to represent (which is apparently supposed to be a mix of pop, rock and "indie"). In fact, the last few songs on their list represent more of a Broadway-type theme.
Starting with track six, titled "Rebecca," every song goes downhill. I don't mean to say that tracks two through five are good, but they aren't a complete disgrace like most of the other songs are. This song in particular has earned the honor of being my least favorite on the CD, mainly because it does not fit into their milieu, but also because it is just plain horrible. The lyrics are thoughtful and interesting, but more fitting for a Broadway production than an "indie" CD.
Also, let me just mention that any group who claims that their genre is "indie" doesn't know what the title even means. "Indie" refers to the record label a group is associated with, as in an independent record label. "Indie" is not a music genre, so don't fool yourself.
The track sets up with a light piano intro, which at first seems calm and enjoyable. Meg Frampton, one of the two sisters that makes up this group, begins singing soft spoken words about what sounds like an old-fashioned scene, singing of her "missus" and of "tea lounged on the sofa." It continues to speak of "ladies" and "masters" as if these names are the regular, which is what leads me to believe the time period is not current. "My lady spoke of everyone she knew there / She paused, grabbed my wrist / Said, now darling, there he is / Though half his age I was / I've never been in love before then." The song peaks in the chorus with Meg speaking to the man mentioned, telling him that she can replace his dead wife. "Max, you're so distraught / Perhaps I'll help you out / Your wife was so much more than me / But I can be her now." Heartwarming, isn't it?
What's left of the songs follows a similar pattern in what I can explain only as "Broadway- esque." They come from no obvious background and have no apparent explanation. Most songs that I can think of actually make sense, but no matter how many times I listen to them, I cannot decipher what these girls were getting at. Basically, both Meg and Dia have a great deal of talent, that is readily visible, but they need to sit down and seriously reconsider the quality of their writing. |
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