The Summer Set - Legendary (Album Review)

Look, I'm going to be totally honest about this album. It is slickly produced radio friendly pop music. Really the only thing slightly rock or punk about the group is the quasi pop/punk image they have in their promo photos. The album and band's focus on Legendary is super clean pop production, heavy on pop vocals, and danceable electronic infused elements. The substance is pretty minimal. With that being said it's darn good at succeeding at what it is. It is a decent pop album.

Lyrically I wouldn't say it's all that great but lead singer Brian Dales has a tendency to write catchy lyrics that are tongue and cheek. He is easily the most important member of the band and his presence adds just enough to the album to make it stick out a nose further than the rest of the artists that are out there making radio friendly pop. Musically it's so slick and well produced. It's hard pressed to find one element of anything raw or untouched throughout the whole album. It has been cleaned and run through the pop music machine. The appearance of Dia Frampton on "Heart On The Floor" is a welcomed addition to the song and at about halfway through the album it helps change things up just a little. At the exact halfway mark "F*ck U Over" is a standout track that is pure ear candy. It has all the catchy elements and is a really good representation of the album as a whole.

I think I liked the group’s last album Everything's Fine slightly better than this album, but nonetheless as much as I don't want to like Legendary I end up enjoying it to a degree. It's the kind of album that can't help being so catchy you'll either love it, hate it, or like me accept the inevitable fact that music like this is out there and some bands just have a knack for doing a decent job with the sound. This album is fun and that's about all you get from it. That's okay though because some albums set out to do just that and few achieve it. This album does a good job achieving it. In the end this is teen favored radio pop music at its best. It's caffeine infused high energy that will take you up and leave you hanging there. It's a further extension from the sound on Everything's Fine. If you are looking for anything remotely pop/punk or pop/rock this could disappoint you. If you are looking for a fun spring/summer pop album this could be just for you. At the end of the album I found myself saying: "well I liked this a little more than I really should have" and honestly that's really the gist of this entire review.