Music reviews: My Big Beautiful - "The Way Things Are: The Soundtrack To My Life Vol. 1"

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's discovering an album that's been under my nose for so long and I never got around to hearing it. What's worse is when you love that album so much that you can't understand WHY you haven't heard it! This is the case for me and a little 'ol band called My Big Beautiful. Their album "The Way Things Are: The Soundtrack To My Life Vol. 1" (Underground Communique Records) is a great album front to back. It's pop punk at it's finest. It's got well crafted songs with good hooks, catchy lyrics and a great beat. Sure the album came out in 2006 and I'm just now getting around to reviewing it. But hey, better late than never! This album needs to be heard.

The album opener "The Triumphant Return Of The Kid With The Mispelled Name" get things going with great harmonies and lyrics about fighting adversity and coming out on top. It's a true anthem for anyone who's felt like an outsider just trying to fit in, only to find out it's better to be your own person than trying to be like everyone else. This is the theme for the album. Stand tall, be yourself and you'll win every time!

Later there's a wonderful gem called "People Places And Things". I'm not one for lovey dovey songs. But this is an exception. It has BALLS musically, but has sentiment at the same time. Who can deny lyrics like "I've been drinking with DeNiro, smoking cigarettes with James Dean. Singing with Sinatra just trying to make the scene. But of all the people that I've known, the friends I've had in the past. There is one thing that I know for sure. You and I are built to last, yeah! You're everything to me." This song is so sweet it makes sugar taste like salt!

Singer/bassist Stev Walker is an amazingly strong singer and really brings out the best in guitarist Steev Custer's lyrics. They both, along with drummer Mark London, really bring their A game on songs like "Turned It All Around" and "The Strongest Signal" (complete with a sound bite from Pulp Fiction). These songs are so fun they had me singing along with the first listen. Great playing and lyrics that everyone can identify with make this a real piece of ear candy. Don't be like me, waiting so long to hear this. You can stream the album and purchase it here. Give it a listen and if you like it, buy it. Your ears will thank you later.

My Big Beautiful will be playing tonight at Mojoes in Joliet with Smoking Popes, About The Mess and After The Fight. Go and show some love for a great band. And let's HOPE we get a "Vol. 2" soon. 

4 ½ / 5 stars