Something Corporate: North : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

With Leaving Through the Window, Something Corporate's 2002 major-label debut, the Orange County band delivered a collection of piano-driven power-pop tunes about pining for punk rock princesses and battling school bullies. What a difference a year makes. After months of touring and experiencing quasi-stardom, the group delves into an entirely different world on its latest offering North. This time, lyrics explore a darker place, but just what that place is, it's hard to say. Songwriters Andrew McMahon (frontman and pianist) and Josh Partington (guitarist) express clear angst, but storylines are vague. Reflecting that mood, guitars sometimes flare into uncharacteristically incendiary riffs. But Something Corporate is at its best when it relies most on the instrument that sets it apart from the acts it shared billing with on 2002's Warped Tour. McMahon's piano melodies flourish beautifully through songs like "Ruthless" and "Down," making them the highlight of the album. (KRISTIN ROTH)

KRISTIN ROTH
(October 20, 2003)