Aly & AJ might at first glance represent all that is wrong in the world of popular music today but in the case of this album I was actually forced to eat humble pie and admit that my first glance impressions might have been a little on the erroneous side.
Lets look at the facts as they appear, they fit into the sibling model of making popular music. Aly being 18 while AJ a mere 16 years of age so of course they are sickeningly young. They both lay heavily on the teen sexuality look a la Britney before she self destructed (albeit with a bit more sophistication) with California skin and sweeping tresses of blonde hair. Plus in the States they appear on television in an MTV made show called “Sweet Sixteen”. You have to admit the credentials were all there for me to go nuts and wipe the floor with them for crimes against music.
I’ll hold my hand up and say I was wrong. A while ago I caught their first single ‘Potential Breakup Song’ and proclaimed it to be the catchiest thing since slice bread, a fine mish mash of pop stylings with some nice production shoring up the backend. I didn’t think lightning would strike another eleven times.
The album “Insomniatic” (crap title, but you can’t have it all) is a noteworthy collection of pop gems which kicks against the current tide of “have a feeble go” pop wannabees. The lyrical content might for the most part be about boys (expected) but in most cases the songs strike home with a deft efficiency that keeps the listener interested. Particular stand out tracks include “Like Whoa” (again crap title, they need to work on this), “Bullseye” and “Flattery” all have the hallmark of potential single material. And while I would normally say this album wouldn’t be for everyone, there is something about it that gives it a strangely universal appeal.
