Album Review: Simple Plan - Get Your Heart On!

Gone are the days when the likes of Avril Lavigne and Good Charlotte were filling arenas, playing to swarms of optimistic teens whose bobbing heads had yet to be turned by the wailing movement they have dubbed "emo". But, rather than follow the lead of the aforementioned acts and write material obviously pining for the affections of the masses, Simple Plan have admirably stayed true to the formula that made tracks like 'I'm Like A Kid' and 'Shut Up' so popular at the start of the last decade on their latest work, 'Get Your Heart On!'.

'You Suck At Love' opens the record in typically clean cut, hook laden fashion, encompassing Simple Plan's ability to pen exceptionally cheesy lyrics and write rousing sing-a-long choruses. It's the sort of infectious song that would drive a metal head off a cliff owing to the fact that they physically couldn't refrain from humming along. Rivers Cuomo's playful cameo on 'Can't Keep My Hands Off You' adds a wise touch to a song that has all the staple characteristics of a radio friendly pop song, the cheeky tag line supplemented by a genre standard "woah" ... or 50.

The record suffers a slight lull in the middle, trundling offerings 'Astronaut' and 'Anywhere Else But Here' proving to be uninspiring, while Alex Gaskarth's appearance on 'Freaking Me Out' isn't enough to mask the fact that it lacks any real stand out qualities, the All Time Low front man adding little other than a name to the track, which is forgettable and a tad clichéd. Were it not for the rapid fire (if hardly self deprecating) 'Loser Of The Year' the album's heart would have been altogether disappointing, but as it is, it's sound is highly reminiscent of the defining Simple Plan offerings on 'No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls...' and 'Still Not Getting Any', which is certainly a positive.

'Last One Standing' is, believe it or not, something of a motoring powerhouse and shows a side of Simple Plan otherwise invisible thus far. It has a much edgier, angsty tone that works brilliantly, and leaves you wondering why the band don't go for this approach more often.

Let's face it, Simple Plan were never going to turn heads with a brave new style or a complete musical makeover to shatter any pre-conceptions you had of them. With GYHO!, they have stayed true to their own sound, a sound that got them where they are today. So while they more than likely wont garner any new fans, they'll please their die hard following, and continue to live the dream.

3/5

'Get Your Heart On!' by Simple Plan is out now through Lava/Atlantic Records.

Official Website
Simple Plan on Twitter and Facebook.

Liam McGarry