Lucky Boys Confusion Commitment (2003) Elektra

Lucky Boys Confusion, being a suburban pop-rock group from Chicago…usually gets pigeonholed with many other less talented suburban Chicago groups. You may be surprised at what you hear out of these guys. They write a very distinct blend of punk, reggae, and hip-hop music to create a unique sound. Their first CD, released in 1998, was raw but showed the band’s enormous amount of potential. The band then gained a following in the Midwest and released a single, “Dumb Pop Song” to the local stations here in Chicago. They picked up a major record contract along the way with Elektra, while touring profusely. They then released an album, “Throwing the Game”, their first from Elektra. This album screams party, to say the least, with most the songs being about partying, drinking, smoking pot, and running from cops. It turned out to be an extremely underrated album, mixing elements of several genres while being quite catchy. The CD’s main single, Fred Estaire also got plenty of spins here in Chicago, being a pretty unique pop-rock song inspired by the great Fred Estaire, of course. Not to mention these guys put on a hell of a live show.

The album starts off with somewhat of a surprise: a short intro track with a very reggae/dub feel. The rest of the CD then turns to what this band does best, write catchy rock. “Hey Driver,” the band’s new single, which is a good example of what the album sounds like, with a catchy fist-pumping chorus, although the lyrics are a bit weak. Stubhy’s lyrics are much more personal and heartfelt then their previous albums and his voice has gotten stronger and more defined. Standout tracks on the first half of the CD are “Mr. Wilmington” and “Broken.” Next comes another surprise track, “Sunday Afternoon,” with a heavy reggae feel and a guest singer on hand. The album closes solidly with more pop-rock, some great tracks being “Something to Believe” (a tune about religious struggles) and “Medicine and Gasoline.” The CD ends with an outro that is pretty much an extended version of the intro.

If you’re looking for a complicated musical experience, don’t look here. If you’re looking for a mind-blowing album, or a CD to add to your best of 2003 list, I wouldn’t suggest this either. This is more mainstream than Lucky Boys Confusion’s earlier efforts, but their lyrics have matured and their songwriting has improved. Staying true to their pop-rock roots, while showing their potential to break out into other genres, these guys have finally written their own breakout album.

(ridebdr)