Public Radio - Sweetchild [EP]

Deep Elm Records

October 29, 2009, 05:06 PM

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Public Radio is on a mission. At least according their myspace page (PublicRadio on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads), that mission is simple: to make a difference by creating songs that are energetic and inspiring for social and personal change. After listening to this Charlotte based quartet’s latest EP “Sweetchild,” I’d say the boys are on the right track.

Public Radio is comprised of singer/songwriter Mark Mathis, Jessie Mathis, Jeremy Smith, and Luke Hill. Mark Mathis also has a solo project under his own name and has released three full length albums to date.

“Sweetchild” is an all around decent effort, not great, just decent. The first track, ‘Sweetchild’ is comprised of lyrics that come from the song titles of other popular songs like, “I was talking with a friend of mine about the end of the world as we know it…Sunday bloody Sunday come again as you are as you were.” It’s a creative and thoughtful way to write lyrics, but the actual music in the song isn’t super catchy. '17 Is Too Young' and ‘Outer Limits’ display Public Radio electronic leanings nicely, though, like ‘Sweetchild’, they fall short of being memorable.

Despite three out of five songs being a little short of catchy two of the five make up for that, especially the power pop track ‘Forgot Love.’ I’m not kidding when I say this; ‘Forgot Love’ is one of the best of songs I’ve heard in recent months. The melody, music, and rhythm are all synched perfectly. I’m a sucker for meaningful and positive lyrics and ‘Forgot Love’ delivers with lines like, “You can hum it all you like…but you can’t be in love without showing it” and “I wanna be with you when the night time is over, I wanna be with you when the morning is coming.” ‘Accident’ is almost as appealing and memorable as ‘Forgot Love’ but not quite. The majority of the track is purely electronic rhythms and ends with a cool little guitar lick.

Public Radio is headed in the right direction with “Sweetchild.” Two out of five solid tracks on an EP isn’t bad at all. I’m hoping for great things from these guys in the future. If you dig on groups like Phoenix, The Medicine, or We Are Lions you’re likely to enjoy Public Radio.

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