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elephants & giraffes
album review
by erin thursby
scopes1925@msn.com

Artist:
Plastic Parachute

Title:
Elephants & Giraffes

Release Date:
09.28.07

Label:
Self Release
      Plastic Parachute can only be described as hard-hitting power pop. Lately, even the poppiest of pop has developed an indie feel. The same is true of the radio-ready Plastic Parachute. Vocalist Deb Hooks has a burgeoning sexuality to her voice, as though she’s just discovered how cool sex and rock & roll are and wants to sing about it. By turns she sounds girlish and edgy, but mostly girlish. That’s not a bad thing at all, in the context of the formulaic-yet-quirky album. You’ll be reminded of No Doubt, Blondie and even (gasp) Britney Spears.
      In their promo info they wax poetical about how they’re “too indie for mainstream and too mainstream for indie” but the band actually fits nicely in the power-pop category, along with a host of other bands. While it seems to be quite the height of fashion for a band to be so damn unique that you can’t possibly place them in a category, they are power-pop. And they do it well.
      ‘Four Alarm Fire’ kicks off the album with a danceable sure-fire hit. It’s a fast start for the album, which occasionally wanders off into ballad territory, as in their song ‘Willing.’ They’re strongest, though, when they rock fast and hard, which luckily comprises the majority of the CD. My least favorite track, the sentimental ‘Finish with the Heart’ is one of the slower tracks, but it’s bound to be somebody’s favorite. Even the slower stuff is worth listening to, and ‘Willing’ has grown on me enough that I’ve developed a craving for it which will only be slaked by skipping ahead to it on the CD.
      ‘’Chute Love’, a 40 second mélange of sound and well wishes from fans seamlessly pours into the next catchy track, ‘Gotta Get It.’
      ‘Tres Chic’ is the earwig of the album. It’s practically guaranteed that you’ll be singing the chorus in your head for days after hearing it.
      The crux of the music is that is just feels good. Their sound is enough to make any power-popster hopelessly addicted. It’s the kind of music you slide into your CD player for a carefree road trip to the beach. Musically, they do just enough that’s different to keep your interest, but it’s the wall-to-wall catchy riffs and hooks that will sound vaguely familiar.
      The band already has a devoted fan base that they hope to expand by touring to promote their music. The tour will take them from Georgia to Kansas, including a stop here in Jacksonville. You can see the band at Jack Rabbits on November 25th or, just check out their MySpace for an addictive dose of power pop at myspace.com/plasticparachute.

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