Their motives haven’t changed with their sophomore release, “Critically Ashamed.” A 38-minute ride-with-the-top-down blast, several of these 12 tracks are made for singing along at concerts, LOUDLY. McNevan makes no bones about it: "We write music we think is fun. We just want it to be natural, and with no added pressures of trying to sound like this or that going on around us." Unapologetically electric pop-punk, think Stellar Kart with greater wit but less buoyancy. “Critically Ashamed” is like strolling down the boardwalk on a summer night, while overdosing on cotton candy. Fun but not good for your teeth.
None of which is to say I didn’t like it. I did, a lot. McNevan and Augustine are actually astute commentators on American pop culture, and speaking as they do from their “rock star” perch, their insights are especially telling, not to mention funny. The cleverly titled electric rocker “Flop Culture” wonders about the state of the music industry, bemoaning, as everyone should, a world where Britney can cover the Stones. When the man is right, he’s right. “The Next Big Thing” shrewdly challenges the rewards (?) of fame, and FM Static busts completely out of the label box with “America’s Next Freak.” “The Video Store” is a story song, of a girl who “got a late charge on my heart.” You have to laugh.
“Nice Piece of Art” stands out for all the right reasons. Rich with sonic effects, its hooky chorus will be the one we’re all screaming at concerts. But it’s also an honest portrayal of the heart that pushes through all the confusion to the place of final faith.
It’s not all cerebral either; McNevan shows great vulnerability, both vocally and emotionally, on a number of tracks, most noticeably “Tonight,” a deeply expressive recollection of his much-missed brother who passed away. The lovely closer, “Moment of Truth,” is openly romantic, leaving an impression of surprising depth on this fun, summer project. Maybe FM Static is smarter than we think.
