Museum is definitely a departure for Ball Park Music. While there’s certainly some of their youthful exuberance on offer -– frenzied opener Fence Sitter and the euphoric Great Display Of Patience flying the flag – Museum presents a more mature incarnation of the band.
They allude to their new focus from the outset, the album’s saccharine single Surrender carried by an infectious chorus, padded out with serviceable-at-best verses. While affecting, it seems a far cry from any of the six singles plucked from Happiness And Other Suburbs. It’s the second track on the album and suggests band’s disinterest in replicating the instantaneous, quick-fix charm of their debut.
Coming Down and Cry With One Eye are indicative of the band’s subtle redirection, each tender piano-pop gems. Meanwhile, their jagged two-part oddysee Bad Taste Blues makes for a thrilling mid-album adventure, the band in electrifying form. Sam Cromack’s writing continues to burst with real personality, each song imbued distinct voice. He grants Ball Park Music the kind of charisma most indie-rock bands would die for.
With each replay, It seems to matter less and less that their sugary-pop expertise appears to reside almost exclusively in the past. While Museum may not be as explosive or as irresistible as its predecessor, it’s interesting and enjoyable in its own right, effectively demonstrating the breadth of Ball Park Music’s abilities. This is no backwards step: ultimately, Ball Park Music remain as exciting a prospect as ever.
BY NICK MASON
Best Track: Great Display Of Patience
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Aim And Ignite FUN., Hey Geronimo HEY GERONIMO
In A Word: Calculated
