Reviewed on Oct 8, 2005 by Tom

Hailing from Southern California, The Army Of Freshmen is just another one of those bands that mostly got themselves where they are at this point in time through means of relentless touring and basically a mouth to mouth approach to things, selling 10.000 copies of their self-titled release somewhere along the road. The band just celebrated their 6th year of existence and graced the Warped Tour with their presence last summer before venturing to the UK to fire their anthemic pop-punking blasts all across with their partners in crimes The Suburban Legends.

Make no mistake, "Beg, Borrow, Steal" is by no means a spectacular album that adds new elements or that will enlighten you in ways only a few bands out there can, but it is fun guaranteed that’s for sure. The production by Angus Cooke (Lagwagon, the Ataris) is crisp and captures the energy behind AOF’s soulful onslaught as they try to get under your skin by using a dual, keyboard driven glitterball that sends their infectious, pop-infused harmonies in every which way. At times, AOF’s musings are just like a ray of light, brilliant in the way they are laid out and always easily captivating. It’s like listening to The Reunion Show who are covering Home Grown songs (Kings Of Pop era mind you) with Jon Pebsworth from Buck ‘O Nine on guest vocals. So let’s recapitulate: the sweetness of moog and synth combined with bouncy, upbeat feel-good rhythms and a multi-vocalist approach that ensures a richness and variety that is both vast and compelling. Just one example of that is how Chris Jay takes care of the lead vocals (much in the nasal vein of Buck O’ Nines frontman like mentioned before) in an almost-rapping kind of way, but the keyboard and guitar player really get things going on the chorus and add a whole other meaning to the word dynamism. AOf really have more hooks than a contingent of old ladies can shake their stick at. While this variety and richness will ensure the album won’t get old quickly, it also has its downside as at times there’s simply too many things going on for me to really enjoy the songs in full. But like I mentioned before, AOF are fun, lively, extremely cheesy and certainly have a lot going for them.

I’m sure that this “Synth-pop” will be the scourge of every music critic in the years to come, but for now i’m finding it easy to indulge in this up-and-coming genre in all of it’s facets. I dare you to listen to Army of Freshmen and withstand the temptation to bop your head and tap your feet. If you like The Reunion Show, Motion City Soundtrack or if can easily revel in any sort of pop-styled marvels, then AOF could be the answer to your every prayer! In my opinion, “Beg, Borrow, Steal” is not the album it could have been. I’m expecting big(ger) things from these guys in the near future and surely hope they can dig in their teeth and develop somewhat more of an identity they can fully claim as their own.

Related Links:

• www.armyoffreshmen.com

1. Beg, Borrow, Steal
2. Uniforms
3. Gang Sign
4. Paradise
5. Get Um Up
6. Song Away From You
7. Road Less Traveled
8. Sing Along
9. Put Me in a Photograph
10. Hard to Say
11. No Engine
12. Last Dance
13. On the Night the Boardwalk Died
14. Crossing Over
15. We Don't Hear a Single

Album Reviews

Beg, Borrow, Steal Nov 30, -0001

Interviews

	Oct 20, 2007 Brighton Centre
	Oct 21, 2004