Minutes Too Far - Let It Roll

I was initially going to list all of the horrible bands that have come from my godforsaken home state of Oklahoma, but as I was compiling the list I discovered it’s not as bad as it used to be. Sure, we’re responsible for Hanson, Color Me Badd and Hinder…but we also have The Flaming Lips, so suck it. There are actually a number of good indie bands from this area, however not a lot of mainstream talent breaks out. All American Rejects? I think that’s it. Well, now we can proudly add Minutes Too Far to that short list. Their new album ‘Let It Roll’ has been rocking me right since I received it a little over a week ago.

Why did I wait so long to review it? Look, man…I’m real busy.

I actually wasn’t sure if I would review it at all, at first, but after a few listens I fell so passionately in love with these boys, I knew I had no choice. First of all, they’re completely adorable, but just skuzzy enough to be rock and roll. Secondly, their music is insanely infectious. Like it’s so addictive, it should be a controlled substance. There should be some new warning system made just for albums with mad hooks.

Woah Oh, Woah Oh Oh

Anyone who stays up on unsigned music has heard the songs ‘Something You Really Oughta Know’ and ‘Uh Huh’ before. If you don’t stay up on unsigned music, then go to their altsounds profile, listen, and pretend you do. Better yet, go to altsounds.fm and listen to the whole record. Anyway, those songs are on this album and you’d never guess they’re old songs. Well-written songs don’t have expiration dates. Although their songwriting has matured as the band has grown up (to the ripe old age of 22), they have been consistent in their abilities.

Their debut full-length ‘Let It Roll’ is quite an achievement for anyone, not just a young band. They have fully mastered the pop punk composition and toned it down into an easily digestible, fun rock record, abandoning all gimmicks and clichés. They get it. These guys get it. They don’t pigeonhole themselves as this or that. They go from the rock anthem ‘Rock And Roll Is Dead’ into a chilled out Deathcab-esque gem called ‘Love Is A Dance’ without losing any MTF feel. Good comparisons would be Jimmy Eat World or The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, with the same explosive energy, melodic prowess and technical proficiency.

Let It Roll is a fantastic record. If you don’t go buy it immediately, at least listen to it on altsounds.fm. 2006 is turning out to be a really good year for music!

www.altsounds.com/minutestoofar
www.altsounds.fm - HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM