Songs like the opener, “Aerosol Ball”, “Plunder” and “Sally” are rocking tunes reminiscent of shows like Happy Days. Not many bands would try and pull this sound off – mixing the rock n’ roll of the 1950s under lyrics about issues of today is just, well, nifty.
“Jack at the Asylum” and Life in the Dark” are two examples of a slower side of the Brothers. In “Asylum”, Ian Felice howls “America” with what would seems like his last breath while “Life in the Park” preaches a different, very morbid message. At the end of the song chanting that “we live and we die and we don’t know why”, there seems no place for such a line, but maybe, since the album was named after this song, there is a reason its on here.
“Diamond Bell” is the only song that has a new age folk vibe. It is the story of a girl who seemingly goes on a murder spree across the country and he loves her anyway: more of the same story that’s been told a million time. My deepest apologies if this “Diamond Bell” did enter your life and cause such a ruckus, but it seems far fetched and when all is said and done it didn’t add very much value as the album is strong enough on its own. The style that fans have grown to love shines through this album. People who think folk is a dead art need to listen to “Life in the Dark”, by The Felice Brothers.
Key Tracks: Jack at the Asylum, Life in the Park, Plunder