{"id":6946,"date":"2013-11-21T13:15:34","date_gmt":"2013-11-21T12:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-98520-280723.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=6946"},"modified":"2013-11-21T13:21:42","modified_gmt":"2013-11-21T12:21:42","slug":"album-review-short-story-long-by-darren-ockert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eqmusicblog.com\/album-review-short-story-long-by-darren-ockert\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: “Short Story Long” by Darren Ockert"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We can never get enough guilty pleasure pop music and British-born pop artist Darren Ockert<\/strong> is giving us our recommended daily dose. Ockert<\/strong> may not be world renowned at the moment, but with the release (Nov. 12) of his official second studio album, Short Story Long<\/strong>, that will surely change in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

With an impressive talent for crafting infectious hooks and incorporating attention-grabbing production, the Miami-native\u2019s new effort is the true definition of synth-pop. Preceded by two diverse singles, the crisp and uplifting \u201cYou Don\u2019t Know Me<\/strong>\u201d and the darker, somewhat depressing \u201cCrumbs<\/strong>\u201d, Ockert<\/strong> moves smoothly across 12 tracks of guilty pleasure yet meaningful pop that highlight intriguing vocal performances and an ear for catchy, radio friendly tunes. <\/p>\n

Taking a page or two straight from Owl City<\/strong>\u2019s colorful book, Ockert<\/strong> incorporates sparkling production on the effort\u2019s uplifting, positive lead single \u201cYou Don\u2019t Know Me<\/strong>\u201d as well as the tongue-in-cheek \u201cCan\u2019t Think Straight<\/strong>\u201d. Both are commendable performances which open the album up rather nicely, but the latter is unfortunately weighed down by mediocre, eye-rolling clich\u00e9s. <\/p>\n

Chosen as a finalist in the 2012 UK Songwriting Contest, \u201cForce of Gravity<\/strong>\u201d is a piano-driven moment where the spotlight certainly shines down on Ockert<\/strong>\u2019s vocals. The writing is top notch, the production gives an eerie, 80s-sounding vibe which shifts into pure mid-tempo pop heaven when the chorus comes up. Safe to call a ballad, the track is one of the main reasons the album should be discovered. <\/p>\n

The artist’s use of instrumentals on the new album is successful and quite lovely. The guitar-driven \u201cBack For More<\/strong><\/a>\u201d is another effort containing questionable lyrics, but they work this time around. \u201cLike a kid drawn to a candy store, I\u2019ll be back for more<\/strong>,\u201d he sings on the slightly romantic, don\u2019t know when to give up, sugary pop song. The sound of a piano sets the mood for the semi-ballad \u201cRunning Out of Love<\/strong>\u201d, which has the artist contemplating throwing in the towel on his relationship. Pairing gorgeous instrumentals with a soft electronic beat, the song becomes a heartbreaking, emotional peek into Ockert<\/strong>\u2019s personal life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Modern Life (1984)<\/strong>\u201d is a bizarre throwback of a track, another rebellious anthem for the down trotted and defeated. Who can blame you for having the time of your life? This is Ockert<\/strong>\u2019s question on the upbeat creation which truly does a great job at not falling into a particular category. It\u2019s a bit pop, it\u2019s dance, it\u2019s New Wave, it\u2019s campy, it\u2019s fun. <\/p>\n

Not every album comes without its slight slip ups. \u201cCenter of Attention<\/strong>\u201d just happens to be the bump in the road for the artist\u2019s new release. The sound is intriguingly different, nothing that would play on Top 40 radio today, but it completely kills the energy and style presented by the rest of the album. Vocally, the artist seems a bit bored, just going through the motions.<\/p>\n

Thankfully the album finishes off strong. \u201cEverybody\u2019s Lonely<\/strong>\u201d, is a pulsating, techno experiment where the artist proclaims that everybody does hurt. Besides upping the production on the dance worthy chorus, the rest of the track keeps a fairly simple pace, never getting overpowered by unnecessary noise. The heartfelt and relatable \u201cI\u2019ve Moved On<\/strong><\/a>\u201d, the true highlight, has the artist reminiscing on a former flame just to say goodbye once and for all. \u201cLiving in the silence, loving through the violence, waiting for you<\/strong>,\u201d Ockert<\/strong> sings with strength, but also with a dose of vulnerability and despair. For the final track, the artist ends things on an extremely high note, promising bigger and better things in the future. <\/p>\n

Short Story Long<\/strong> is an album which truly deserves to be found, a synth-pop experiment that highlights an artist\u2019s strong vocal abilities and story-like songwriting. Darren Ockert<\/strong>\u2019s second try at a pop release soars to certain highs, stumbling only once. Yes, some of the lyrics may sound like they are coming for a pre-teen, but just like Cher, Ockert allows any clich\u00e9 to become a romantic and heartfelt telling of personal issues. <\/p>\n

While production on many pop efforts can get out of hand, the artist uses catchy, infectious beats to assist in making an impact on the listener. The fun, diverse effort comes completely out of left field to become quite the pop gem. Ockert<\/strong> gives fantastic vocal performance, incorporates interesting production techniques and never takes himself too seriously. Job well done. <\/p>\n

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