Arizona, pop-rock band The Summer Set released their debut album, Love Like This, on October 13, 2009 on the label Razor and Tie after self-releasing two EP’s while in high school. Brian Dales (vocals), Jess Bowen (drums), Josh Montgomery (guitar) and brothers John (guitar) and Stephen (bass) Gomez successfully express their fun and light-hearted approach to music with an album loaded with energetic pop beats that will undoubtedly make you nostalgic for your carefree, drunken high school days.
Although I was admittedly a skeptic about having to listen to yet another 5-piece, teenage, power-pop band with whiny vocals, “The Boys You Do (Get Back at You)” was a pleasant surprise. Setting a lively tone for the entire album, this first track is an irresistible fusion of opposites – Dales threatens to “go to sleep with all your friends” and vengefully warns about “the monsters in your bed,” amusingly contrasted by the peppy musical accompaniment. However, listener beware: the chorus can and will get stuck in your head. Listen at your own risk.
While the band is successful at maintaining the energy from the first track throughout the album, some songs are predictable and have a Jonas Brothers quality about them. Chief among these are “Passenger Seat” and “Chelsea” (which was written about actress Chelsea Staub from the show, Jonas – how’s that for irony?). This could pose as a bonus or total turn-off depending on your personal preferences, but the songs are worth a listen or two regardless.
One of this album’s highlights is “Young,” which pays homage to young hopeless romantics everywhere. The band provides an infectious musical backbone to lyrics like, “If I’m Romeo and you’re Juliet, as long as I’m breathing I’ll love you to death” which successfully captures the exaggerated nature of teenage love.
The last track, “Where Are You Now?” is a brilliant end to an album full of high-energy, power-pop sounds. A duet with Meg&Dia singer, Dia Frampton, this ballad is a beautiful and impressive expression of raw talent. The maturity and soothing quality of Frampton’s vocals evokes the same in that of Dales’, making the dialogue between the singers convincing and believable. Subtle harmonies throughout and a dreamlike interlude at 3:10 display the simple nature of the song as a whole, showing that the band is capable of more than just guitar-heavy pop-rock.
While not the most innovative album to hit the shelves, Love Like This is a genuine display of The Summer Set’s optimistic approach to music. With tracks about falling in love , embracing your youth and life in general, this album is road-trip ready and a promising start for the Arizona band.
Rating: 
(3.0/5)
