Telegraph is the debut album from actor and musician Drake Bell, best known at this time for his role on the hit Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh.
Teenage girls will buy this to swoon over one of their favorite 'teen idols'. You should buy it if you just want to buy a good rock and roll/pop record. Bell is unfairly tagged with the Hilary Duff's and Lindsay Lohan's, "oh, you're young, you put out an album it's what you do in 'the business' to get ahead." along with Jamie Lynn Spears (yes, Britney's kid sister, who also has a show on Nick.)also putting out a clothing line or other unnecessary business ventures. If musical life were fair Bell would not be lumped into this here today/gone tomorrow/wanna be musician catagory especially since he declined a record deal with the network that signs his Drake & Josh paychecks.
Time will prove that Bell is the real musician in his contemporary peer group.
Stand out tracks:
Circles with Drake & Josh co-star Josh Peck doing the beatboxing duties. If anyone thinks Bell is just a flash in the proverbial pan listen to Somehow and In the End. I don't know if they were intended to be a part I and II, but they have a synergy and would have made an excellent double A-side. Somehow tells the story of an abused woman that ends with an ironic happy melody reminiscent of The Beatles and In the End reminds you to be that person that overcomes the odds and to hold on. Shallow teen idols don't write songs like this.
Highway to Nowhere is a blusey type number that had to be edited for a minor badness because well when your demographic is mostly under 18, those things have to be done especially when you don't have million dollar spin team in your corner. Hopefully, Bell will have more independence to do what he wants to do musically on his sophomore effort. and the title track Telegraph a song about letting go is a nice introspective way to end the album.
***
Excellent use of musicial special effects, a very Beatle-ish thing to do. Which is never a bad thing.
Don't make the mistake and treat this like teeny throwaway pop. Infact the parents who purchased this for their kids might just play this record more often than they do. Bell appreciates those that came before him and he has the talent to be around for many years to come. Long after the screaming masses that have left the building the music will remain just as it always has. If you wondered what happened to real rock and roll in the mainstream buy this record. It's a good place to start for both Bell and the listeners.
***
Four and a half stars out of five.
Track Listing:
Intro
I Found A Way (the theme to Drake & Josh):
Drake Bell and Michael Cocoran
Circles: Drake Bell
Somehow: Drake Bell and Michael Cocoran
In the End: Drake Bell and Michael Cocoran
Don't Preach: C. Abraham/Drake Bell/Michael Cocoran
Hollywood Girl: Drake Bell/Michael Cocoran/G. Petersen
Golden Days: Drake Bell/Daniel Tashian/G. Garner
Down We Fall: Drake Bell and Michael Cocoran
The Backhouse:
Highway to Nowhere: Drake Bell/Scott Bennett/M.Shallman
Telegraph: Drake Bell and Michael Cocoran
Drake Bell: Vocals, guitars, keyboards
Backhouse Mike: Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion
Joey Finger: Drums
Tom Kinne: Bass on Circles/Highway to Nowhere
Eroc: Scratches on Circles
Josh Peck: Beatbox on Circles
Produced and mixed by: Backhouse Mike
Except for Highway to Nowhere produced by: Backhouse Mike and Scott Bennett
Orchestral samples in Down We Fall from the Vienna Symphonic library.
Release date: September 27, 2005
Issued by: Nine Yards Records
By: Carol
I thought it would be a good idea to list some reviews from our list members.
I'm a 21 year old college student and highly suggest everyone out there to get this cd. There's lots of surprises on this cd-lots of experimentation with different sounds and that's just part of what makes this cd so special. The lyrics are very impressive and some of the songs have that classic feel to it. I especially love Down we Fall, In the End, Golden Days, and most of all Telegraph.
By: GQROCKS aka Rachel
Created: 9/17/2004
Last update: 10/08/2005
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