OC Music Magazine

Madlen Hulme 

Dallas-based indie pop rockers Artist vs. Poet may just be releasing their debut album, but they are certainly no strangers to the music scene. The five-man band secured a wealth of fans after the release of their self-titled EP in November 2008, which went on to sell over 12,000 copies. Favorite Fix is Artist vs. Poet’s 12-song melodic baby, set for release on March 2, 2010.

            The upbeat five-piece harmony and handclaps of “Car Crash” open and set the stage for the album, which is itself an interesting experiment in quirky beats and noises. Through the usual instruments can be heard an eclectic array of new mediums: title track “Favorite Fix” weighs heavily with synth, the giddy “Adorable” features marbles rolling and glass tinkling, and the palpable powerlessness of “Unconscious Reality” is ironically tinged with the sweep of whimsical violins. Held constant through this quite ear-pleasing chaos is lead singer Tarcy Thomason’s distinctly high vocals, reminiscent of Martin Johnson from the pop rock group Boys Like Girls. And while the album certainly has all the bells and whistles, at the core of it still rests your basic light rock, accessible to just about everybody.

            Following in the footsteps of such mainstream bands as All-American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, and even the electronically driven Owl City, Artist vs. Poet’s debut succeeds as an enjoyable, if sometimes generic, piece of musicianship. Sure, it’s love-heavy in lyric (tracks include “Miserably Loving You” and “He’s Just Not Me”;) and it’s not an entirely unique sound, but if you’re looking for a solid pop album that delivers head-bopping beats, engaging detail, and catchy melodies, Favorite Fix could be the fix you crave.

 

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