Motion City Soundtrack: My Dinosaur Life

SteveK listens to their fourth album–

Motion City Soundtrack: My Dinosaur Life

When a band like Motion City Soundtrack, a band with Pop/Rock roots switches over to a major label, there are always questions. Will the new label meddle with the band’s sound?  Will they insist on controlling production of the new album?

While ‘My Dinosaur Life’, the band’s fourth album has been called “radio friendly” by some, the core sound that fans recognize is still intact.  Produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, ‘My Dinosaur Life’ does have distinct post-Grunge elements and is similar overall to ‘Commit This To Memory’, the band’s 2006 sophomore release.

There’s a maturity of sound on this album; a sophistication in the lyrics and musical content that charts the progress that Motion City Soundtrack has made over the years.  Songs like “A Lifeless Ordinary” “Her Words Destroyed My Planet” “History Lesson” testify to the trials and tribulations of maturing twentysomethings mourning the inevitable loss of youth.

But the reflective, bittersweet lyrics are tempered well through up-tempo Pop and Rock music, making the album’s content fully enjoyable despite the sometimes-heavy subject matter.

While ‘My Dinosaur Life’ doesn’t blow me away, it is good listening and may well spur a few interesting discussions as the lyrical content is deconstructed over coffee among friends.  If ‘My Dinosaur Life’ does become Motion City Soundtrack’s “breakout” album as many are suggesting, then it will be validation to the band and their fans and supporters.  Likewise, if ‘My Dinosaur Life’ becomes their breakout, it will introduce them to the significantly wider audience they deserve.

Motion City Soundtrack: My Dinosaur Life

Columbia

Steve’s Rating: 8.5/10

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