Playradioplay – The Frequency EP

Playradioplay – The Frequency EP / 2007 Stolen Transmission / 6 Tracks / http://www.playradioplay.com / http://www.stolentransmission.com / Reviewed 24 May 2007

“Bad Cops Bad Charities” reminds me of HelloGoodbye and The Rocket Summer. That is to say that PlayRadioPlay mixes emo stylings with an electronic component that is comparable to acts like Fischerspooner. The quirkiness of the vocalist of PlayRadioPlay seems to pull itself towards that of a Blink 182.

Thus, “Bad Cops Bad Charities” is an odd Frankenstein’s monster of a track. The band steps strongly here, but there needs to be a better collusion of sounds and styles for the band to really succeed. The vocal harmonies that operate as a bridge between the two distinct parts of the track is perhaps what the band needs to look at to properly move forward to fame. Similarly, a track like “Complement Each Other Like Colors” is a track that is too unwieldy to bring PlayRadioPlay much in the way of fame. If the vocal opening to “Complement Each Other Like Colors” could be isolated and be turned into its own song, the band would be well on their way to burning up the charts. Hell, even the simplistic synth line that immediately follows the opening vocals could be added, and the band would get all sorts of new Myspace fans. The sequenced drum beats that open up “Confines of Gravity” bring PlayRadioPlay to a different position, with the rest of the track mixing Delirious with Bright Eyes. PlayRadioPlay seem to be focusing in on a style with each subsequent track. Sure, there will be growing pains that are present during a number of these songs, but the band is genuinely trying their hardest to craft something that the widest possible array of fans can like.

My suggestion to PlayRadioPlay for their full-length would have to be to not try to add five distinct styles to each track. Some of these songs (such as “Complement Each Other Like Colors”) just try to have too many distinct styles going, and the resulting song sounds disjointed as a result. PlayRadioPlay will be an act to look forward to in the next few years, and a song like “Confines of Gravity” show that they can succeed. The band struggles to make a solid effort of “The Frequency”. While there are songs that are not the strongest, the ability of the band shows through at times. Just make sure to avoid the clunky cover of “Mr. Brightside”, and individuals will generally like PlayRadioPlay and their compositions on “The Frequency”.

Top Track: Confines of Gravity

Rating: 5.3/10

[JMcQ]