Oingo Boingo

Boingo

Give It A Chance-- Boingo Meets Lennon/McCartney/Manson

Review Score:

(10/10)
No, it doesn't quite have the happy party sound of earlier Boingo. Yes, it sounds a great deal like later Beatles work (eg "Mary" could be the sequel to "She's Leaving Home").

The album is loosely themed around the idea of society's outsiders-- and not attractive romantic nobly-tragic outsiders, but some really messed up, alienated people. To call it dark is being diplomatic.

I did not warm up to this initially; there were too many surprises. But upon repeated llistenings, the album revealed all of OB's usual strengths-- nice hooks, intellgent writing, aural variety. And it added some sophistication and depth. Heck, who's had the cajones to record an oevr-10 minute opus in a while?

And don't be too dismayed by the darkness. Like his cohort Tim Burton, Elfman rarely allows his darkness of vision to overwhelm his affection for the people he's dealing with. He may be looking into the darkest shadows, but he is still finding humanity there.

More Reviews: