Just in...fun.: Some Nights

    The first of my highly anticipated releases of 2012 comes in the form of fun.'s sophomore release, Some Nights, just out February 21st (caution: contains explicit songs btw). Some of you may already have heard the hit single, "We Are Young", featuring Janelle Monáe, or seen one of the official videos; stage brawl version here, acoustic version here, music video here (the one I like the most, because (1) they aren't lip synching! and (2) acoustic is kind of lame in comparison). The show Glee also did a cover, which you can see here (I give so shameless promotion to the show in any way, I actually never watch it and don't ever care too! brutal honesty there for ya). Anyway, I did actually buy this one without any other prior knowledge of the rest of the album the day it was out, hard copy of course; so, I've been enjoying it for the past two days. This speaks highly of the band for me, I typically wait to listen online or something where the band has streamed the album before I commit. There are a few bands that are the exception to this, and this time fun. was one of them.
    Some Nights is a little different take on fun. than their previous album, Aim and Ignite (2009), which I have also written about here. For one, there is a distinct hip hop influence, clearly admitted by the band, who brought in Kayne West (among others) producer, Jeff Bhasker. The band decided to elicit his aid because of Kayne West's 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which they listened to a lot during the production of Some Nights. So, Bhasker was brought in to work on a number of songs and create a more distinct meld of hip hop and what fun. has always done so well, power pop. I might suggest that this album is less power pop, and simply more pop rock, but that label is boring, not as fun.. There is also a hint of new wave, perhaps, but in a post-punk kind of way, as in the song "It Gets Better".
    Another big development in the process of Some Nights was that fun. joined Fueled By Ramen Records, which is a leap for a band that has always been anti-label. Apparently the negotiations took nine months and what sold the lead singer Nate Ruess was the employees of the company were actually buying tickets to fun. shows themselves and loved their music. I actually plan on going to a concert of theirs myself at Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY in April! Super excited!
    Some of the highlights of the album include: the guitar riffs in "Some Nights"; "Carry On" has some excellent moments and is this sort of accordion implementing Irish march, also a fantastic guitar solo midway, with strings in the background; the intro to "It Get's Better" is really unique, in your face, gotta give probable props to producer Bhasker there, love the post-punk-ness of the rest of the song too, driving and fun.; "Why Am I The One" is like a pop rock ballade, nice groove; the sweet beats in "One Foot" that totally evoke the Brooklyn hip hop drum core scene, very cool; the resulting transition into "Stars" is phenomenal, perhaps the greatest single moment in the whole album, with the guitar in the background and the crowd ambiance; and the bonus track (how is it a bonus track if it is on the physical and digital release?) is plain old fun. goodness!
    I hope you enjoy Some Nights, check out the entire stream on their website: ournameisfun.com. Or just check out the song, "Carry On" over under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks'. Have fun.!