The downside to Simple Plan
This entry was posted on February 25, 2008
I love Simple Plan. That’s no secret. I recently met them when they did their tour of Camden, and I’m going to see them again as part of their European tour in April. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. My nearest and dearest are fed up with me constantly talking about them. I can’t help it though!
However, much as I do love Simple Plan, they do have a slight flaw. And that flaw comes in the shape of their new third studio album. It’s their third album, it’s simply called “Simple Plan” and it was released over here in the UK on the 18th of February (why do we always get things last?).
This third album is a change from the sound of their previous two albums, and it has been almost two years in the making. I had high hopes for this album. What I love about Simple Plan’s music is that it’s relatable, and it’s as catchy as hell. As one reviewer put it, Simple Plan are “catchier than a case of the clap”.
Simple Plan may not be the most musically talented group in the world, but they are damn good at what they do. They sell millions of records and have millions of fans (and “haters”). They don’t always go down well with the critics, though, and with this third album I can kind of see why.
The songs are catchy, enthusiastic, fun, musical, inoffensive, radio-friendly, relatable, and… nice. And that’s where the problem lies. It’s almost as if they are trying too hard to make a good record. The songs are good and everything, but there’s just no evidence of the enthusiasm that you get when you go to a live Simple Plan show.
The whole album is far too technical. It’s good that there’s a slight hiphop influx to the record, but in some places it’s overpowering, and you get synthesized beats instead of a guitar solo. When certain songs from the album are played live, Chuck (the drummer) has to have his laptop with him. That’s not music.
I miss the live shows that Simple Plan put on. They play with so much enthusiasm and passion that even if you hate their music, you can still appreciate that they’re having a good time and so are their crowd. That passion doesn’t seem to translate to the album though. It sounds as though they’ve recorded everything a million times and pieced together the best-sounding parts in the hopes it’ll be the best-sounding record. But sometimes… sometimes perfection comes from imperfection.
This is a very technically correct album, but it lacks the oomph that you get with the live shows. For that reason, I fear it may sit lonely on my ipod for the times I need a dose of Simple Plan. Until then, though, I’m going to have to stick to my “Hard Rock Live” album, and my ripped copies of “AOL sessions”. And of course, the live shows!
13 lovely people have commented
*dances around playing the trumpet and throwing confetti* RACHAEL ADMITS IT! SIMPLE PLAN ARE FLAWED!
Reply: Yes, they are indeed flawed. No band is perfect. And I don’t consider myself any less of a fan because I don’t “omg love” this album. I think it’s a bit crazy when people are so obsessed with a band that they can’t think reasonably about things.
I’d probably like this album over their other stuff then since I’m a softie for electronic music. Although the electronic music I listen to tends to be a little hardcore at times… maybe not then?
Reply: If there’s one thing Simple Plan aren’t, it’s “hardcore” 
You might still like it though. Think of it as electronic smashed together with light rock.
Weird… I think this album is incredible. They manage to change things around to not keep doing what they’ve always done… but still keep Simple Plan. Plus, the fact that they still sound amazing live doing the NEW songs just proves how great they still are.
Reply: Hi Linda, thanks for the comment! I agree that they’ve changed things up without losing who they are. And I agree that the new songs sound AMAZING live. In fact, they sound better than they do on the album, which is what I was trying to get across in this blog entry. What makes their live shows good is the fact that it’s not 100% technically accurate 100% of the time.
Next step: realisation that they’re terrible. 
Reply: Not going to happen. Sorry!
It happens to the best bands, I guess. Especially the Canadian ones. They start out all nice, and home-grown, but it’s hard to stay that way once they enter the American market. It’s sad. But, it happens!! Still, I rather enjoy the new album, for what it is- easy pop listening with some fun bits handy for dancing in the shower. 
*Agrees with Amber* To me, that new single of theirs sounds exactly like their old material and unfortunately I can’t go a day without hearing it (one music channel here shows the video at least 43798570 times a day!) 
Well, at least you’re not a silly little fantard, loving every single thing your favourite band does
Reply: I think once you’ve listened to them enough, you’ll be able to tell their songs apart and hear the insane hiphop that’s worming its way into the new stuff. And, yay for me not being a fantard. I love Simple Plan, but I can still think clearly.
@ Kaisa: Oh yes, it really doesn’t help that they overplay SP here, due to content laws (you must have something like 40% Canadian content in each hour of broadcast, or something). I was at the mall last week, and “When I’m Gone,” was playing in about 5 different stores, at different times, over the course of one hour!!
I also hear it when I’m out at a meal, or travelling, or… just everywhere! In fact, the reason I was annoyed with Simple Plan LAST TIME, was because “Welcome to My Life,” was played OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
Reply: It’s a shame that you don’t have more radio-friendly bands in Canada. Over here Simple Plan barely get any airtime at all.
./agrees w/ Aisling
I like that Canadian bands are getting commerical success but they always get overplayed because there arn’t too many of them. So when we get someone who’s big!? zomg do they ever get overplayed. Like, Avril.. Nickleback.. Nelly Furtado.. all interesting and unique artists but i get tired of listening to them ever 5 mins on the radio
It’s great that you’re able to see past your love for the band It somewhat irks me when people mindlessly devote themselves to a band or musician without noticing their downsides at all.
Aww. It always gets me down when I find a fault in something I love.
But at least you’re not an obnoxious fan that refuses to acknowledge these faults.
I used to like Simple Plan very much! You know… the “Welcome to My Life” craze hahah
But now, I just think that their songs are a bit cheesy, I still listen to them though o.o somehow…
I love Simple Plan, too.
I’ve listen to them since their very beginnings and sure they’ve change a lot.
I agree with you, that the really SP is not reflected in their new album. I wish I could go to one of their concert, I haven’t really seen them, live. Well, if you count YouTube…
The thing I like the most in their new album, would probably be the lyrics. Although they kind of repeat in some songs, they still rock.
I still miss that thing about their past albums, you know? Like the songs: My Alien, I’d do anything, One day… I think those were great.
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Vera said:
Well… it’s good that you recognize their flaws and are unwilling to listen to them. I always get into such a fired up mood when I listen to “happy-go-lucky” music… *is ashamed of self*
Maybe they’ll learn something from this? Besides, lives are never like CD recordings, so there’s still hope.