ALBUM REVIEW: Hey Monday Beneath It All

Power pop band Hey Monday just released their second album Beneath It All.   I saw the band perform three times in a one week period earlier this summer, so high expectation for this album is an understatement. 

Considering the fact that I am the biggest Hey Monday fan over voting age, when they announced that the record would only be released as an EP with six tracks, I was slightly disappointed.  After a few spins, I'm realizing this is because of quality over quantity. 

The EP is a follow up to their 2008 debut album Hold On Tight that put the West Palm Beach band on the map with its two singles “Homecoming” and “How You Love Me Now.”  Although they only experienced mild success with the first record, it was one that was received well by critics and fans.  The record was housed with tracks that were all noteworthy for their radio-friendly sound and the outstanding lead vocals of Cassadee Pope.  Pope's contribution to Hey Monday is a rarity of a pop punk band that instead of being composed of five guys with rad haircuts had a female singer that is something we have only seen recently with Paramore and further back with No Doubt.

Hey Monday take the creativity from Hold On Tight to the next level on Beneath It All with a collection of powerful dance tracks.  The album opens with the strongest track on the record “Wish You Were Here." The album continues with “Wondergirl,” where Pope belts to a former flame to save himself instead of being saved by her.  But she sure proves she is a wondergirl with the strong vocals and well-constructed songs.  The third track “I Don’t Want to Dance” is probably the most hard rock song on the album and will for sure get you out of your seat, whether you want to or not.  The lyrics say "You missed your chance to rock my night away," but at least we don’t miss ours with this song.  

Check out the music video for "I Don't Wanna Dance" here

“Hangover” is probably the most radio-appropriate track with its catchy metaphor to a bad relationship with a terrible hangover that’s all too relatable for the target audience.  The album concludes with two excellent  tracks “Mr. Pushover” and “Where Is My Head.”  In the song “Where Is My Head,” Pope seems unsure what she was thinking about a boy, but the band’s head was in the right place when writing this track.  If you didn't catch Hey Monday on the Vans Warped Tour this summer, they will be playing several in-store performances across the country in the next few weeks.  The full length album is expected for an early 2011 release date.  Track listing for Beneath It All is as follows:

1. Wish You Were Here
2. Wondergirl
3. I Don't Wanna Dance
4. Hangover
5. Mr. Pushover
6. Where is My Head"

Katherine Epstein for Citadel Digital © 2010

Image courtesy of Columbia Records

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