Artist Vs. Poet – Favorite Fix – Review

Release Date: March 2nd, 2010
Record Label: Fearless Records
Genre: Pop Rock

Back in 2007 when a Myspace bulletin from Tarcy Thomason went out pleading for new members to join his Texas pop punk band, four others answered. After forming a semi-generic, yet appealing sound, and stepping into a bit of luck — Artist Vs. Poet was signed to the indie-famous label, Fearless Records. What followed was a set of EPs, that paved the way for their newest recording, their debut full-length “Favorite Fix.” Artist Vs. Poet fits the Fearless signing pattern of energetic poppy rock bands with loads of personality. It’s probably the only time when it’s alright to be like everyone else. Honestly though, this record is anything but the norm.

“Favorite Fix” — which was recorded with a slew of producers, Zack Odom, Kenneth Mount (All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Cartel) and Mike Green (Paramore, Breathe Carolina), as you can see is loaded to the very brim with popular and mainstream sounds. The result is crystal clear pop rock with all the bells, whistles, and effects of the bands mentioned above, with the addition of swooning lyrics ala The All-American Rejects, as well as sporadic sprinkling of other instruments (piano, violins, bells, etc). The last of which is integrated almost as a beat rather than a composition.  For instance, the violins that string together the repeating beat in the verses of “Unconscious Reality” add a bit of hipness, much as we have heard before from bands like The Secret Handshake or Owl City.

However, at the heart of Artist Vs. Poet rests pretty standard light rock. Sure they add rippling effects to their guitars, sample beats, lay down perfectly-produced acoustic strumming, as well as vocals that go down smooth and  quirky lyrics that keep your ears peeled, but strip it bear and all that lies there is simple, tried and true pop rock. Meaning, that if you are tired of people loitering on a currently popular genre then you should know Artist Vs. Poet isn’t as bad an offender as label-mate Every Avenue or Epitaph’s Sing It Loud, but they still do step on the toes of bands before them.

But, if you are one that can enjoy the hell out of an album of sweet summer music, which is heavily girl-centered lyrically, and that happens to bless our ears in the frigid month of March, then “Favorite Fix,” really will become like an addicts fix for you. Their seamless integration of  familiar and addictive rock with cutesy melody and head nodding hooks, will have you reeled in at the very first listen — even if you have one of those friends that likes to say “what the hell, they sound too much like  ____.” ~Staff

Score: 4/5

Track Listing:
1. Car Crash
2. Adorable
3. Favorite Fix
4. Unconscious Reality
5. Damn Rough Night
6. We’re all The Same
7. So Much I never Said
8. Miserably Loving You
9. Broke But Not Broken
10. He’s Just Not Me
11. Alive
12. Giving Yourself Away