Chester French just released their new album, Love the Future, on Tuesday and I do not remember the last time I was so giddy about legally downloading music. Pharrell Williams better be thanking his lucky Ice Creams that he snagged this band away from Kanye. I really like Pharrell's arrangements and his influence is apparent in most songs of the album, for example "She Loves Everybody." But mostly, I can't pinpoint a certain style of Chester French. Sometimes folksy ("Beneath the Veil," "Jimmy Choos"), sometimes poppy ("People," "C'mon," "Bebe Buell"), sometimes sentimental ("Not Over You"), but always groovy and addictive. Definitely fresh, new tunes from the Harvard-based duo of singer and plays-every-instrumentalist. By the way, if you want to hear a little example of the ecclectic style I'm talking about, get the free download of "Ciroc Star," featuring Chester French, Diddy, Jadakiss & Clinton Sparks, which is not folksy, poppy, or sentimental, but definitely booty-poppin' material (a special shout-out to Diddy--no bitchassness on Asian BBQ).
CHESTER FRENCH - LOVE THE FUTURE
1. Introduction
Okay, fine. Introductions are fine.
2. C'mon (On My Own)
This song is a great way to start off the album. It's definitely the most encompassing of their style.
3. Bebe Buell
I like the dog barks after D.A. Wallace (the lead singer) sings "Oh!" in the chorus ... and for other reasons also.
4. String Interlude
My only personal objection to this album is that it has too many random interludes which I think cuts off the flow.
5. The Jimmy Choos
6. Time to Unwind
Very simple, light, beachy. Short and sweet and a great way to transition between the more poppy first quarter and the folksy next quarter. Thank god they didn't use another stupid interlude.
7. Fingers
8. Country Interlude
9. Beneath the Veil
10. Neal
11. Not Over You
Absolutely one of my top two of the album. I love the chorus--"I tried to say what I gotta say, but I'm not through. I tried to do what I gotta do, but I'm not over you." When I first listened to it, I thought that the reprise at the end was a new song and I was really excited because the beat was sick. They should really use that material somewhere.
12. She Loves Everybody
This is the first song I encountered when I found the Chester French and I think it's the one that the least like the others. I guess the song kind of grew on me but there are a bunch of pretty kick-ass remixes of it, i.e. the Steve Aoki version.
13. Sleep
14. People (iTunes Album only)
My favorite and the reason I wanted to buy the album in the first place. I love the way that D.A. Wallace croons and the modulations in the middle. The chorus part ("No, no, no, no, no one's ever gonna find us") has the most addictive beats and makes the song jam so well. The synth riffs in the chorus are pretty sick as well.
