Anthony Green - Beautiful Things
Rating
RIYL
Good Old WarCirca Survive
Dustin Kensrue
Release Date
01/17/2012
Label
Photo Finish RecordsTracklist
1. If I Don’t Sing2. Do it Right
3. Moon Song
4. Get Yours While You Can
5. When I’m on Pills
6. Can’t Have it All at Once
7. Big Mistake
8. Love You No Matter What
9. How it Goes
10. Just to Feel Alive
11. James’ Song
12. Blood Song
13. Lullaby
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Anthony Green has come a long way since his short-lived stint with Saosin, which put him on our radar and served as the beginning of a successful career that is still going strong years later. He’s a musician whose progression has yet to peak, and his sophomore solo album Beautiful Things is an appropriate representation of his career at this time.
As far as solo efforts go, Beautiful Things is an above average release, showing the many sides to Anthony Green and keeping the listener’s attention for its duration. Where Avalon felt like a collection of random songs Green wrote by himself over the years, Beautiful Things feels like a well thought-out collaboration. The boys in Good Old War provide their services on Beautiful Things (as well as at his live shows) and it sounds like they had their hands in the writing process as well, giving the album an interesting mix of genres as a result of the collaborative efforts of both parties.
All the songs are in the alternative rock realm with different twists thrown in – like a mix of country or folk on some, while “When I’m on Pills” has a reggae groove to it. Then there’s “Do it Right,” which is an acapella ditty led by Green with Good Old War providing multiple harmonies to help fill it out. Moreover, some of the more lighthearted tracks like “Love You No Matter What,” “James’ Song,” and “Beautiful Things” are presumably about the birth of his son, and you can hear his vocals shift to a more delicate tone while singing them. As you can see, the songs vary quite a bit, which is always a welcome quality for any album.
The main issue with Beautiful Things is that it’s a little too easy-going, to the point where all the songs are enjoyable to listen to but none particularly stand out. There are basically two types of tracks here: really good and good. This problem isn’t necessarily a bad one to have, but it’s what keeps Beautiful Things out of the four-star range,
Beautiful Things is a big step up from Avalon, though, and successfully provides a more intimate look into the Circa Survive frontman’s life. In the album’s uplifting closer, “Lullaby,” Green belts out “beautiful things are coming,” which is fitting because the best is yet to come from Anthony Green, and it’s my personal belief that he’s just warming up.
--Nicholas Fritz
Comments
The Murder Mitten
Solid review, NF. Agreed.
Mother Nature is a hateful whore.
Coopersburg, PA
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the record too!
Illinois
still need to check this out, but i loved his last one.
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Fishers, Indiana
There are basically two types of tracks here: bland and also bland.
I finally got to listen to this today, and I can't say that I'm moved to listen again. That said, Avalon took me a while too. I do like the variety, and you're right that the album is enjoyable, but it's not sticking with me.
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West Haven, CT
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Coopersburg, PA
It's not an album that immediately grabs you, it took me maybe 4-5 spins to get into it. I think Good Old War help to make the record interesting as well, but you really have to pay attention to what they're doing to appreciate the little things that are going on.
Illinois
i was the same way with avalon. i gave this a half listen one night (where you make it halfway through then realize you had something to do), and i enjoyed what i heard. i have to be in the right mindset to enjoy this kind of music though...
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