Generally, I write positive reviews about bands that are good at what they do. I like a little bit of everything, so it's not that hard for me to appreciate either a delicate ballad or ear-shredding thrash. Shit, I genuinely love the first Britney Spears record, and think Toby Keith is a tragically under appreciated genius. With that said, it's very hard for me to appreciate Goodbye to Pretty, despite them being very good at what they do.
The Scottsdale band plays that brand of bland Maroon 5 pop-rock that filters through the speakers at Old Navy-type establishments. Most of the songs on their radio-ready self-titled disc sound like B-sides to the Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah." For me, three listens through the album was tough, though I can easily picture a lot of girls with bright smiles and tasteful sundresses singing along with these guys at a concert.
Take the record's midpoint, "I Want You Now." If you're in to this, you'll like the record. If you're not, you won't.
Roughly-strummed acoustic opening
Sexy, sexy
Your bottom leans, in to mine.
I need your company.
And I want you now, and I'll show you how.
Let's fool around.
5 second instrumental break
Baby, baby
Talk to me.
Whisper sweet, ember(?) energy.
And I want you now, and I'll show you how.
Let's fool around.
Swelling acoustic guitars to the refrain.
Yes, Goodbye to Pretty sounds exactly like that band your buddy's girlfriend insisted you go see, that show where you spent the entire hour they played shooting daggers at him. But, hey if you are that girl -- and not me, the poor, suffering, friend -- you might really dig this.
Like I said, this is a genre of music it's hard for me to enjoy, but Goodbye to Pretty is doing it as well as anyone else out there. And, certainly, they have fans, as you can tell by the fact that they're currently in the middle of a Western tour. What that means: Watch out, your buddy's girlfriend is going to suggest you see them soon. You were warned.
If you're a musician from the Phoenix metro area and would like to submit a CD for review, please send it in an envelope marked "YAFI" to:
Martin Cizmar
You Asked For It
c/o Phoenix New Times
1201 E. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
