One Chord To Another: Bands

Ben's Diapers: Laughter Tracks (Rhythm Barrel, 2003)

Favourite Songs:

Skylight, The Way It's Going to Be For the Rest of Our Lives, Under The Surface, Play Through The Pain

The second album by Ben's Diapers is, like you may have guessed, a very good pop album. It's quite a classic pop album too. All the elements that we pop freaks love are here. Melodic guitar pop, strong vocals, sweet pop hooks, honest lyrical approach and especially vocal harmonies. I love harmonies and on laughter tracks Ben's Diapers are able to create a few astounding vocal parts. Especially on three tracks (which are Huge In Heaven, Play Through The Pain, Under The Surface). If you haven't listened to these songs with headphones, please do so, because otherwise you might miss some of those beautiful backing vocals. In fact I would like to hear even more of these harmonies, because now after Harri 'Huuki' Huuhtanen joined the band, they have the possibility to make some fabulous 3-part harmonies. And please don't bury the harmonies too deep into the mix.

Like the title says, Laughter Tracks isn't one of those pop albums that makes you think various reasons why you should be completely miserable. It isn't all about laughter thou. There are some longing aspects as well. Mikko Lappalainen is a good writer and I like his views about relationships and the somewhat witty phrases he often uses. My favourite lyrics on Laughter Tracks are mellow 'Skylight' which is able to catch a mood that I'm very familiar with ("Sometimes it feels so good To collect heart beats And write them down And it’s moments like this When life is most around") and 'Play Through The Pain' which introduces love as a contact sport. Musicwise Laughter Tracks is not so straight-forward power pop as you might assume. Ben's Diapers always have some mellow country and folk elements giving some flavours to otherwise rather typical pop music. Still they don't sound very inventive, but I suppose that's not even something what they are trying to be. Ben's Diapers are just making sentimental pop music and they are doing it really well.

Ben's Diapers Website

Written 18.06.2003



		REVIEWS:
		Ben's Diapers: Laughter Tracks (Rhythm Barrel, 2003) Favourite Songs: Skylight, The Way It's Going to Be For the Rest of Our Lives, Under The Surface, Play Through The Pain The second album by Ben's Diapers is, like you may have guessed, a very good pop album. It's quite a classic pop album too. All the elements that we pop freaks love are here. Melodic guitar pop, strong vocals, sweet pop hooks, honest lyrical approach and especially vocal harmonies. I love harmonies and on laughter tracks Ben's Diapers are able to create a few astounding vocal parts. Especially on three tracks (which are Huge In Heaven, Play Through The Pain, Under The Surface). If you haven't listened to these songs with headphones, please do so, because otherwise you might miss some of those beautiful backing vocals. In fact I would like to hear even more of these harmonies, because now after Harri 'Huuki' Huuhtanen joined the band, they have the possibility to make some fabulous 3-part harmonies. And please don't bury the harmonies too deep into the mix. Like the title says, Laughter Tracks isn't one of those pop albums that makes you think various reasons why you should be completely miserable. It isn't all about laughter thou. There are some longing aspects as well. Mikko Lappalainen is a good writer and I like his views about relationships and the somewhat witty phrases he often uses. My favourite lyrics on Laughter Tracks are mellow 'Skylight' which is able to catch a mood that I'm very familiar with ("Sometimes it feels so good To collect heart beats And write them down And it’s moments like this When life is most around") and 'Play Through The Pain' which introduces love as a contact sport. Musicwise Laughter Tracks is not so straight-forward power pop as you might assume. Ben's Diapers always have some mellow country and folk elements giving some flavours to otherwise rather typical pop music. Still they don't sound very inventive, but I suppose that's not even something what they are trying to be. Ben's Diapers are just making sentimental pop music and they are doing it really well. Ben's Diapers Website Written 18.06.2003		News Bands Labels Releases Gigs Radio/Clubs Reviews Whatever Links Contact Guestbook F.A.Q Home