Plain White T's - American Nights
- Written by Zoe Wallbank
When news broke that multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated artists Plain White T’s were releasing a new album, which would be their first independent release since 2001, no-one knew what to expect. A change of direction to stay current and fight with acts who have huge record companies pushing them or stick to acoustic lyrical love songs that they have become known for, most noticeably ‘Hey There Delilah’ which is the 18th most downloaded song of all time?
If I had to sum up American Nights in two words it would be: refreshingly different. There is no mistaking this as a pop album but it crosses genres, taking inspiration from the whole spectrum of genres from rock and punk influences to happy-go-lucky ukulele songs.
Frontman Tom Higgeson has been quoted as saying, “We weren't worried about doing too many acoustic songs or too many rock songs. We just wanted to do the ones that told our story.” Which shows, as not only have they explored different genres through out the album but even some tracks appear to change genre half way through. ‘Heavy Rotation’ being case in point with a boy bandy pop opening slowly showing more rock influenced through out the track.
In their freedom it seems they took every rule ever told about making an album and smashed it, and it’s a risk that paid off. Despite not really having a set genre and having such a mix of music side by side this album flows well. It has listeners waiting to see what the next track will be like, it’s true excitement something that has been lost in music over the years; you know what to get with most artists. Ed Sheeran you know you’re going to get acoustic love songs and from Sam Smith love ballads.
Which brings up another point, though this album is in no way lacking love songs ‘Stay’ and ‘You Belong’ being but a few, there is more of an undertone than love. Not surprising considering the band has been in this industry for over a decade.
Overall the album is a breath of fresh air in an often repetitive pop genre, they took a leap of faith both with going independent and with the album itself, but it seems a risk that’s paying off.