Pop-punk practitioners rarely make it to a third album without declaring some sort of newfound sensibility -- they're going a little darker, say, or they're experimenting with a dancier sound. But Simple Plan stick to pretty familiar territory on album three, which maybe explains the unclever self-title: perhaps the plan for this one really is simple. The Montreal boys pound away at full speed here, cranking out a batch of short, frivolous songs that showcase Pierre Bouvier's nasal but weirdly appealing voice and one, "I Can Wait Forever," that seems to be rooted in real feeling. The whining hasn't let up (see "No Love" and "Generation"), but the fun hasn't either. Credit the producers: Timbaland's protege Danja Hills pitches in, and so does Max Martin, a knob wizard known for shining up the songs of Kelly Clarkson and fellow Canadian Avril Lavigne. ~ Tammy La Gorce
Rovi
サム41と共にカナダ産の次世代パンクを世界水準へと押し上げたシンプル・プランが、前作からおよそ3年ぶりとなる待望の3作目を発表! マックス・マーティンやデンジャなどさまざまな分野で活躍する敏腕プロデューサーを招き、ヒップホップやポップスのテイストを巧みに融合させた、型に捕らわれないハイブリッドなロック・サウンドを披露している。これはフォール・アウト・ボーイ越えも夢じゃないぞ!!
bounce (C)渡辺 貴仁
タワーレコード(2008年02月号掲載 (P96))