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Last year, teen-friendly punk rock trio Eleventy Seven left some listeners scratching their heads in wonder as if to think “oh great, not another copycat band.” In all fairness, they did create a few memorable songs about the popular site Myspace and an urgency to go beyond seeking a revolution. In an interesting turn of events, E7 has upped the ante and have now crafted a sound that proves they are not just another carbon copy of a pop/punk band that went before them. While the flare from “And the Land of Fake Believe is still evident, eclectic keyboard synths and futuristic samples are also thrown into the mix for their second album on Flicker Records, titled “Galaxy Conquest.” While there are bands that hit the occasional ‘sophomore slump,’ Eleventy Seven refuses to fit the same mold.
The lyrical content of “Galaxy Conquest” is not too shabby as the topics of hope, love, dying to one’s self, and willingness to start over are all addressed here. The keyboard-laced melody of “12 Step Programs” is an easy highlight and is all about not relying on society’s help to achieve peace and happiness in life. The band likes to show off their humorous side as well with the song “Conan” focusing on none other than nationally known talk show host Conan O’ Brien. Other notable tracks are the spacey-feel of “Love in Your Arms,” “Fight to Save Your Life,” and the ‘ignorance is bliss’ message of “Retail Value.” What makes “Galaxy Conquest” unique is that Matt Langston and Co. have drifted away from the teen anthems that made “And the Land of Fake Believe” more relevant to the band’s culture as those particular songs were written while the guys were still in high school.
Maybe it’s just my personal observation, but it seems like Matt’s vocals have soared to a higher pitch since last year and sounds like he inhaled a gallon of helium. Those who are familiar with the annoying overtone of that type of individual realizes that it can get tiresome early on and be rather nerve racking. While it can be simply overlooked because of the band’s uplifting and positive messages, it is nearly impossible to avoid throughout the duration of “Galaxy Conquest.” However, the album’s closing track “Galaxies Collide” and the hidden instrumental “Starship Unicorn” will cause fans of Joy Electric to sport a grin with their similar hooks and arrangements.
All nit-picking aside, Eleventy Seven have proved themselves worthy of a spot in the world of pop/punk with a genre that should find its way into the hands of those into bands such as Roper, New Found Glory, and Joy Electric. While “Galaxy Conquest” does little to change the pop/punk genre, it’s guaranteed to make a lasting impression on fans of Eleventy Seven’s previous material.
| Production | 8 | | Lyrics | 7 | | Message | 8 | | Overall Quality
8 |
Release Date: September 4, 2007
Label: Flicker Records
Track Listing
1. Initiation Sequence
2. Love in Your Arms
3. Happiness
4. Fight to Save Your Life
5. How It Feels [To Be With You]
6. It's Beautiful
7. Retail Value
8. Feel Ow
9. 12 Step Programs
10. Conan
11. Galaxies Collide
12. Program Terminated.....Bonus Track - Starship Unicorn[Instrumental]
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