Republic
Pop, 2023

Okay, did Waffle House sponsor the track of the same name? The song Waffle House sounds a lot like a TV jingle, the kind that plays on the TV for a fast food chain. I have to confess that I actually like this song a lot, especially when the volume is turned high. It’s the chorus, it’s way too catchy.

The rest of the songs here are like that. The verses, refrains, whatever tend to be forgettable, but the chorus are ear worms. Just listen to Montana Sky: the chorus is the only thing that sticks to the mind.

When it comes to The Album, I have to ask what the theme of the whole thing is. Is there a purpose or a vision aside from “Let’s see how much we can sound like the Bee Gees and Earth, Wind & Fire and whee!”?

Anyway, stand out songs, if you ask me: the smooth Sail Away, Waffle House, Montana Sky. Even then, I’m hard pressed to recall the melody of these songs after a while.

The rest of the songs, while listenable, sort of just play in the background when they are on, and then out of mind when they are gone.

It also doesn’t help that the vocals sound like these guys are drained of energy or enthusiasm.

At any rate, the whole thing is a listenable album that still manages to miss all the right spots.

I always welcome a nostalgic trip back to the 1970s and 1980s, but this thing is like an ode to those days by guys that don’t seem to be very sincere or credible when it comes to emulating their betters.