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The genre of music that Sunday Night Scene falls into is not typically the type of music I listen to. However, my fourteen-year-old daughter does, so I volunteered her to help me with this review. Sunday Night Scene, from Oceanside, New York, out on Long Island (“Lawng Guyland,“ as they pronounce it in that area), initially intrigued me as it is just one individual, Jim Coccaro, playing acoustic guitar.
Okay, this album may appeal to 12-15-year-olds, but beyond that, I’m not so sure. My daughter said it was “just okay.” The first track, “Hip-Hip Hooray,” is catchy enough. The singing is clear, out front, and easy to listen to. I also initially found the instrumentation unique, with the acoustic guitar and a mix of synthesized beats. Jim’s singing comes across in a way that makes you feel like he’s a very likeable and personable guy, with a bit of humor thrown in, too. However, after listening to the first few songs, it was evident to me that the music and vocals were just too sugary. I’m a Type II diabetic, so it was hard for me to listen to too much of this in one sitting. The first three songs have a Mother Goose nursery rhyme sound to them, as well as a feel of a junior high school student jotting down phrases, then trying to sing them.
Toward the middle of the CD, the songs seemed to be more appealing to me; the sound had a more, well, “grown up” sound, with more depth to them, especially track number five, “View of Dakota.” The layering of voices was a nice change of pace, and the musical arrangement was a step up from the earlier songs. Just as I began to enjoy the song, though, that nursery rhyme sound actually came to fruition. The lyrics actually are “Ring around the rosy, pocket full of posy”!
“Hollywood Dreams” shows that Jim could be a bit more introspective with his view on pursuing your goals and dreams. “Postcard” also has depth to it, as it’s about being on the road and missing home. I had a bit of a hard time with that, wrapping my brain around the thoughts of somebody first learning life’s lessons. But I then realized that I could empathize with how the target audience of America’s Playmate will be able to identify with those coming-of-age problems that Jim was singing about.
Sunday Night Scene is part of the pop/punk/rock genre and has performed with others of the same musical sensibilities, such as All Time Low, but, for me, this doesn‘t rock at all. The acoustic guitar and lack of instruments may be unique, but, overall, this album feels like an appetizer. I’m a drummer; I need that meat and potatoes, the sound of real drums, so I didn’t find myself tapping my hands or feet to any of the songs.
If you have a child, somewhere between 12 and 15, and especially a daughter, this may be a nice gift for them, but if you’re diabetic like me, you may want to double up on your medicine if you’ll be within earshot.
Ed. Note: America's Playmate is currently available on iTunes.
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