Clik here to view.
Tommy & The High Pilots “Only Human” Album Cover. Picture from thehighpilots.com
When a good album comes along, it’s important that you share it with the world. It’s been a few months since it came out, but it’s still important to dwell on it. It’s worth it.
The new Tommy & The High Pilots album is what we waited months for and it doesn’t disappoint. Here’s the album breakdown.
1. “Get Up”
This sets the tone for the album. It’s an overwhelmingly positive look at life, and everything you experience. It’s playful and serious. Listen to that bass line and tell me you don’t love it. It’s an excellent start to the album.
“It’s time to listen ’cause someone said it’s time to get up.”
This song has the rare quality of being simple and simply amazing. I’d be lying if I said these lyrics didn’t haunt me. I identify with this song more than most of the album, and the catchiness is undeniable. The lyrics aren’t complicated. But try getting it out of your head once you’ve listened to it.
It was aptly named.
“Known you forever. But not like this. You’re reaching out to me, there’s no boundaries. Losing myself in you.”
This was the song that I first fell in love with on the new album. I heard it for the first time last November and I could actually feel myself swoon.
The song has an immediate musical attraction but the lyrics grow on you. To the point that it was stuck in my head for months before the album actually dropped.
That’s crazy and never happens to me. I’m pretty distractable, but that song wasn’t so easy to forget. It’s my favorite on the album and deserves a few listens at the very least.
“So tell me, do you love me in the worst way still? Don’t ask me, do I need you cause I plead you and I know you know I do.”
This feels like a turning point of the album. Coming on the heels of devil, it’s interesting to see that this song is more energetic and the theme focuses on dwelling on the past. How the past affects who we become, how we look to the past for comfort and for information on where we think we should be. The keys are pronounced in this song and it benefits from it. Musically, I think this is one of my favorites for them.
“If I had another chance, I’d take you back ‘fore I lost you there on the train tracks to the days of sweet, sweet mystery.”
5. “Only Human”
This song is so overwhelmingly positive. It’s ok to make mistakes. You’re going to make them. Just remember that you’re only human, right?
This feels like a more polished version of some of their Everynight songs.
Again, it’s impossible not to notice the careful song selection here. It’s like they’re taking you to the bottom of your feelings -where the seriously nasty emotions dwell- but then they generously take you to the top again. Only Human is a wonderful testament to the temporary nature of mistakes. They happen, but you’ll get through it.
“Holding on is all you’ve got to fight that wind blowing against you.”
Right on the heels of Only Human, this song ties in perfectly. It’s the internal references that give an album wonderful continuity, and the flow in the album is never smoother than it is here. Not to mention, the build up in this song makes it one of my favorites. It starts simple (though anything with Tommy’s voice is fantastic) and it becomes brilliant.
“I’m always searching but I hold tight. When you see the light coming over that hill, hold tight. When you know you’re bound for solid ground, hold tight. Will you keep that faith, ride that wave, hold tight. Oh, the world is your stage tonight.”
The drums in the beginning of this song gives me chills. I feel like I can run a marathon, bake a thousand cakes and hold the world up on my shoulders when I hear this. Seriously. It’s just a real blood thumping, fantastic number.
“I believe something’s rising out of me, something that could part the sea. A little more bull shit, I ‘ll be on my way to find that oh this is gonna hurt but I ain’t kicking dirt. So don’t you worry, I’m just young and hungry baby.”
This is in keeping with the rest of this album. It’s a definite statement against having regrets in your life, and that is brilliant. And coupled with everything else in the song…it’s fun and great.
“Are you ok where you’re standing? Cause you ain’t gonna get it without a little action. Somebody make a move for crying out loud now. Waiting is a mistake. Somebody make a move or deal with the heartbreak.”
9. “Innocent”
I adore this song. It’s wonderful and I frequently put this song on repeat. It’s not as fast paced as some of the other songs (and it’s definitely more serious) but I love that change.
“Well, I may be walking enemy lines but I wouldn’t cross them, no, and leave you behind.”
10. “Painted Cave”
This song was the hardest for me to get into until I realized why; it’s so different from the other songs on this album. And it shows a completely different side of the band. This song is more of a story, and the music is unique from the rest of the album. It’s a solid song and the perfect ending to this album. It’s satisfying and different. The different vibe in this song gives The High Pilots’ a broader spectrum and it leaves them more polished than before. Consider my appetite for future music whetted.
“We’re moving to the beach, the Pacific is safe. The sacred city’s gone up in flames. Taking it all back with a strike of a match. Well it’s a hell of a prank.”
The album is up on Spotify. I HIGHLY recommend listening to it.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
