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Pop culture, interpersonal relationships, city life and even social and office dynamics permeate the lyrics in A Night at the Ritz, the debut album of one of Chicago’s popular bands, Office. The group’s creator, producer and lead singer, Scott Masson, creatively comments on contemporary life through his sharp and quirky vocals.
The title track, “The Ritz,” is my favorite lyrically – as it cuttingly observes pop culture and today’s social scene with a memorable chorus. The cynical “Had a Visit” changes the melodic pace with hard-hitting guitar lines. In contrast to the above songs, the innocent acoustic “Suburban Perfume,” reminiscent of 1960’s folk rock, nostalgically flashes back to the singer’s childhood in 1984.
Unfortunately, these cuts can’t save the rest of the 13-song album full of redundant tracks with simple, repetitive riffs. Musically, there isn’t much to distinguish one song from another. Most of the album was done in Masson’s apartment, but mixed and finished at New York’s Stratosphere Sound. That may account for the synthesized sound throughout the album. I was surprised to find that Office actually consists of a full band, as its members are definitely not utilized. This is evident from the underlying weak bass and minimal guitar.
Overall, A Night at the Ritz has a ’80s techno-pop sound on most of the tracks that musically lacks substance. Relying solely on lyrics just doesn’t cut it.
