Look Around by Anthony Rapp

Posted by Mrs Giggles on February 17, 2000 in 3 Oogies, Music Reviews, Type: Pop

Look Around by Anthony Rapp

Paigow
Pop, 2000

oogie-3oogie-3oogie-3

Don’t expect loud, bombastic Rent II from Anthony Rapp’s debut solo effort Look Around. He may be the Mark Cohen in Rent, but musically, the real Anthony Rapp is a mix of REM and matchbox twenty.

The first track, Living Alive soon sets the atmosphere – this ain’t no post-Rent party, this is a rock party. Less heavy that fellow Rent alumni Adam Pascal’s debut, Mr Rapp nonetheless gives a convincing turn as a rock star in tunes like Human Tornado and the title track.

But if I am disappointed that he is hiding his voice between vocal loops and layers, there’re ballads to make up for it. Just Some Guy is a playful (if too sweet) tribute to a boyfriend. My favorite ballad and track in this album is the melancholic mid tempo Always. The chorus is perfect for drunken singalongs when you are depressed and lonely.

I don’t know what to expect when I bought Look Around, but I must say it’s a pleasant surprise. Look Around has some rough edges that can be polished here and there, but it’s a pretty enjoyable album nonetheless. Although I suspect those looking for Mark Cohen’s music, and not Anthony Rapp’s, will be very disappointed with this one.

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