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Leaving California
Artist: The Parker Theory
Label: Rescue Records
URL: www.parkertheory.com
Time: 14 Tracks 51:50
The Parker Theory is a band compiled of Christians who aren’t aiming directly at the CCM music industry. Much like many other bands in this boat, The Parker Theory are receiving much attention for this album, their mainstream label debut, entitled Leaving California. Lead singer and songwriter Jesse Pruett has explained that the album title is a reference to how he doesn’t ‘want to stay in one place’ in his life. Hailing from San Diego, he saw that as having a good ring to it, as he expresses what he desires to have happen both for his band, and his Christian walk.
So does an album with this much positive hype hold up? The answer isn’t simply a yes or no. The potential is here for a very strong project. When you figure that Pruett has encouraged his good friend and fellow bandmate Jeff Forrest to move over to playing more keyboard in order to give their sound a more unique feel, it’s hard to see how they could go wrong.
The songs on this project, however, are a mixed bag. There are some very fine songs here that are very strong. “The Shoe Song” and the title track are by far two of the best songs I’ve heard in this genre this year.
“The Shoe Song” is a very funny twist on the very old ‘break up song’ that has been popular among emo-rock fans for years. It’s the story of how the protagonist wants to get his one shoe back from his former girlfriend.
The title track is about leaving a place you love and are comfortable, and being willing to give up living in the place you love, to be with the person you love.
“I Believe” is about working out problems in a marriage relationship, and realizing that apologizing for one’s wrongs, and communication are key factors in repairing a hurting relationship.
“Lighthouse” is a blues song about helping to guide a friend out of his darkness.
“So Messed Up,” “In The End,” and “Build You A House” are all songs that sound like they could have been recorded by Mae or Deas Vail. This is where I find myself becoming a bit bored on the record. While I love both Mae and Deas Vail, I am seeing an overpopulation of piano based emo rock and roll lately, and these songs exemplify this point well.
“Out Of My Head” is a very fine song that sounds like a 70’s acoustic guitar ballad that might be recorded by Led Zeppelin or Peter Frampton. This is definitely another highlight for this project!
“Swimming Back To You” and “Sing You To Sleep” are two more piano based ballads that call to mind Mae, Lost Ocean, and Deas Vail again.
This is a fine album, but I am still left feeling that Jesse Pruett and company could have explored more musically unique ideas. The talent is definitely here, and I am looking forward to seeing what they will do on their next project!
James Morovich
7/19/2007
