Maybe I’m biased because I have a soft spot for the musically inclined, but it’s hard to deny that the Harvard graduates from Chester French, D.A. Wallach and Max Drummey, have got some serious talent. Their first album “Love the Future,” which debuted Apr. 21, offers the duo’s ability to seamlessly traverse musical genres and still make a cohesive album.
“Love the Future” includes the soulfully groovy “She Loves Everybody,” the catchy single for alternative/indie fans who appreciate a beat that sounds like The Neptune, along with the nonchalance of dirty lyrics: “Well she craves affection/So I use protection/And I know she loves me/She loves everybody. …”
The sweet syncopation on the entire album is apparent, not just because it gives Chester French a distinguishable sound, but also because the band’s label is indeed that of Pharrell Williams (of The Neptunes). The Star Trak/Interscope label includes its own scope of artists, from Williams’ N.E.R.D. group to smooth sounding Robin Thicke. Chester French brings Thicke’s melodies to N.E.R.D.’s beats, in the soulfully groovy song “She Loves Everybody,” the catchy single perfect for alternative or indie fans.
But even with Chester French’s indie-pop-rock similarities to the “new” boy bands like MGMT and Peter Bjorn and John, the debut album is much more than just a trend. Evidence of this is in the album’s “Introduction,” with violins, aclassical guitar and lyrics I can’t understand – probably because they are in Spanish.
Johnny Cash aficionados will appreciate the band’s Cash-ian “Beneath the Veil,” preceded by the “Country Interlude” to ease listeners into the abrupt shift in musical gears. In “Not Over You,” an adorably sensitive number with rhyme and attitude, Wallach croons like Ben Folds over a rhythmic synthesizer beat reminiscent of any song by The Strokes. Yet, the song still contains those party starting dance elements, which I noticed as I was found myself casually bouncing to the beat.
The best part of the pop-rock duo’s “Love the Future” is the comic relief mixed into the songs. Ben Folds turns Beach Boy turns Hellogoodbye in “The Jimmy Choos,” about a materialistic girl who just has to have a wealthy boyfriend and unnecessarily expensive shoes. Similarly, “On My Own” is both pop rock and pure fun. In fact, after about two chorus refrains, it’s almost liberating.
Chester French offers something for music lovers of any genre, from country to classical, to classic rock. It’s no wonder that they’ve acquired Kanye West as a fan; and they’ve already collaborated with Asher Roth and Jay-Z (the rapper’s song “Ciroc Star” features Chester French in all their hilarious glory.). I’ve hopped on the Chester French bandwagon, but I guarantee it was worth it.
Myspace.com/chesterfrench
