All it takes is 3 chords and a dream!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

CD Review: Christian Brown - When It's Perfect


Christian Brown - When It's Perfect

2007, Christian Brown

Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Christian Brown moved to Cedar Falls, IA when he was seven. This move brought about his indoctrination into American popular culture, and Christian quickly fell in love with the alt-rock sound of the mid-1990’s. Trading in his saxophone for the piano, Christian quickly turned to creating his own songs. Come 2007, Christian Brown released his debut album, When It’s Perfect.

When It's Perfect isn't, but it's pretty good. Christian Brown plays big jangly piano pop in the vein of Ben Folds, often with an incessant punk-polka beat. The CD opens with Here We Go Again Anyway, an ode to revisiting old relationship mistakes. A Mile Above A Small Town is self-denigrating look at loser-hood, complete with horn section. Just Need is a must-hear peppy little love song with an ironic twist. My favorite song on the album is Baby Call Me Names, which has a frantic punk energy to it. Other highlights include Such Fun, When It's Perfect and The Biggest Favor.

Christian Brown has enough similarities to Ben Folds to avoid the unique label, but differentiates himself enough to be original. As a songwriter he's adept with room to grow into exceptional. Not to overkill the comparison but he shows the same sort of rough edges that Folds showed on his groundbreaking self-titled debut with the Ben Folds Five. When It's Perfect is an enjoyable listen with memorable songs and an energy that grabs hold of you. It's definitely worth a listen.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Christian Brown at www.myspace.com/christianmbrown. You can purchase a copy of When It’s Perfect at www.cdbaby.com/cd/christianbrown.

No comments: