All My Words is a quick dip into the gene pool
of jangly college pop rock: undeniably catchy melodies,
eclectic arrangements and a free-flowing, feel-good
attitude that permeates every sing-song chorus and
frantic conga pulsation. Unfortunately it’s this
compilation of previously explored aesthetics that
eventually leave the listener wanting more.
Michael Cole establishes himself early on as a formidable
melodic sculptor, the feverish electric guitar
of “Simple Magic” ebbs and weaves within
a simple rhythmic structure, tiny melodies spilling
out at every stanza. “What We Do” is a
poppy, early-twenties slacker anthem: a lax protagonist
reminiscing about wasted weekends and slow afternoons
of non-commitment. It’s the standout track where
Cole production feels as organic as the melody – the
joy of a kid playing guitar for his friends. But elsewhere
this same mindset limits the power of All My Words.
“Liars Follow Gold” sounds like some struggling
open mic night performance, with Cole receding to a
nasally whine (an unfortunate recurrence throughout
the disc) and sub-high-school-poetry attempts at pale
political POV. It’s hard to imagine anyone but
the most wasted frat philosopher really “feeling” a
couplet like, “They say war is the answer/ I
say war is the cancer.” Cole continues to condemn
the populous for believing everything they see on TV,
but in the post-9/11 world of Fox News misinformation
such a trite attack feels like pure stupidity. “Darkside” vanquishes
some beautiful pseudo-flamenco guitar work into the
realm of force-fed copycatting, as Cole’s anonymous
melodies feel like rote remembrances from Top 40 Radio.
These endlessly familiar songs could also use a little
spicing up in the title department: muddled names like “I
Want To Know,” “Deeper Things” and “Serenade” hardly
evoke originality.
Overall,
All My Words leaves the impression of
a warm-up act, a series of potentials never quite fulfilled.
But Cole is already back in the studio working on a
release slated for late-2007and if he can retain his
ear for visceral melody and manage to jettison a few
of those open mic night tendencies, he just might have
a college rock behemoth on his hands.
Favorite Track: Track 8, "What We Do”
