September 23rd brought the release of The Plain White T’s newest album, Big Bad World. Fans should know that this is not the band’s sophomore album – it is their fifth, in fact. It was their hit single “Hey There Delilah” on their fourth C.D., Stop, which brought the T’s their fame, thus increasing the anticipation for Big Bad World.
Unfortunately, no track on Big Bad World has the same publicly-loved, D.J.-embraced sound that “Hey There Delilah” has. However, the album as a whole still manages to maintain the T’s simple, upbeat style that the band has possessed since their first album. This style is captured in songs like “1, 2, 3, 4,” which has a successful balance between cutesy and catchy. Another catchy track is “That Girl,” complete with a bop and scat-filled chorus. However, the title track is the most enjoyable song on the entire album, with lead singer and songwriter Tom Higgenson showing off his innocently laid-back vocal style.
Some new sounds, such as a harmonica solo, are sprinkled throughout the album, and serve to subtly enhance the listening experience. The T’s only mistake is, ironically, the song “Serious Mistake,” which is painfully pointless, repetitive, and uncreative. Other than that, Big Bad World fits well into the Plain White T’s collection, and will be most appreciated by fans familiar with past albums.
By Gwen Kestler, entertainment editor
