Fitz and the Tantrums start out their latest album with Out of My League, a resounding single that touches upon early eighties new-wave like The Cars and Flock of Seagulls. The band is able to inspire current listeners through smart arrangements and hooks that stick with listeners long after the CD has ceased. More Than Just A Dream continues on with Break The Walls, which brings a cacophony of styles and influences into an shifting, eminently danceable effort. After the first quarter of the album, Fitz and the Tantrums are able to expand their sound to include a wider array of influences and styles. Nowhere is this more evident than the sunny and slower 6AM, which succeeds through the inclusion of a secondary set of vocals. During this cut, Fitz and the Tantrums are able to make new and fresh what Spandau Ballet did with True.
More Than Just A Dream showcases a band that is on the verge of breaking big, while still caring about the creation of a cogent statement. Where many bands are more than content to create a few radio-worthy singles and call it a day, Fitz and the Tantrums have placed excellent elements at all sections of this album. Get Away is a perfect example of this, as it links together sixties pop, eighties electronic, and a current set of sensibilities to provide that additional oomph to the late-album registers.
More Than Just A Dream has an alternate deluxe edition that contains a bonus track – Tell Me What Ya Here For – and a remix of Out of My League. The album can be purchased at any online or physical store.
Top Tracks: Out of My League, Keeping Our Eyes Out
Rating: 7.5/10
Fitz and the Tantrums More Than Just A Dream CD Review / 2013 Elektra / 12 Tracks / http://www.fitzandthetantrums.com/
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
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