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If you’ve never been to Santa Barbara, CA, it’s clean, beautiful and scenic, with a ridiculously pleasant climate. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to get on a bike and cruise around all day with the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. It’s no surprise that Only Human, the new album from Santa Barbara’s Tommy & The High Pilots, evokes a similar mindset. Out May 28th, this is 41 minutes of music that puts you in a good mood. On this album you’ll hear songs that remind you of anyone from Augustana to Paul Simon to your favorite 90’s alt-rock bands. It’s alternative, pop, indie, however you want to classify it—it’s good. In fact, it’s one of the best albums released so far in 2013.
Starting off with “Get Up,” and “Outta My Head,” the band showcases exactly what they do and why you they deserve your attention. Upbeat alternative songs crafted with verve and purpose. “Devil To Pay” and “Broken Down” follow and demonstrate the depth and range of the band’s songwriting skills. “Only Human” is a great blend of the sounds/styles on the album, conjuring the catchiest moments of a ‘John Butler Trio’ type sound.
The last half of the album is where a band can really separate themselves. Are all of the singles and noteworthy songs placed up front, giving way to filler and a disappointing finish? Or, does the album get stronger and finish with a bang? This is precisely why I love this album so much. As wonderful as the first half of the album is, the last half matches and exceeds it. “Young And Hungry” is incredibly fun to listen to, and “Here In My Hands” and “Somebody Make A Move” are my personal favorites on the album—songs I could listen to on repeat and never grow tired of. “Painted Cave” builds and explodes with a gripping crescendo and provides the perfect end to an impressive album.
The closest comparison I can come up with for this band is that they represent the sincerity and compelling songwriting of Augustana with the upbeat, fun hooks of classic 90’s alt-rock. Only Human has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. It’s a fantastic album with strong lyricism and excellent production. Setting aside all the musical comparisons I’ve listed, this album definitively stands on its own and is a perfect summer soundtrack. Now go put on your headphones and get your bike!
Track Listing:
1. Get Up
2. Outta My Head
3. Devil To Pay
4. Broken Down
5. Only Human
6. Here In My Hands
7. Young & Hungry
8. Somebody Make A Move
9. Innocent
10. Painted Cave
Tommy & The High Pilots – “Outta My Head”
*When I review an album, I don’t use numbers, ratings, scores, stars, thumbs, etc. I feel like music is a fluid experience where opinions and feelings may change over time. I think ratings are a bit arbitrary, and to reduce complex feelings into a single score or value doesn’t do the overall assessment justice. All I really want to get across is “What does it sound like,” “Where does succeed/fail,” and “Do I recommend it?” Meat and potatoes, no flowery adjectives and groundbreaking metaphors. Meat and potatoes…mmmm…delicious!
