First glances at London's McFly could cause one to believe the fresh-faced quartet is something of another boy band-esque group that happens to play its own instruments. However, surprise will quickly set in upon pressing play on the polished Just My Luck, as the guys are actually closer in sound to pop-rockers the Monkees, the Beach Boys or even the one-hit fabrication that was the Wonders (yup, that band from Tom Hanks' flick, That Thing You Do!). Despite being ridiculously overproduced, the album does have its merits, and beams sunshine through its sparkling rhythms, shimmering vocal harmonies, and catchy, layered melodies. McFly are indeed competent musicians who already seem to understand how to make an appealing record. And well, the album should be chock-full of welcoming songs that are easy on the ears, as these Brits have just about taken cues for everything they do from the masters of pop who have come before them. Regardless of adolescent lyrics, every song sounds rather like a modern version of a pop/rock hit from somewhere in history that can't always be placed, and instead of actually listening to the songs at face value, initial spins are unconsciously spent going through a "where have I heard this song before?" list in one's head. McFly wear the influence of bands like the Beatles and the Beach Boys so blatantly on their collective sleeve it's oozing from practically every note played. Additionally, string arrangements are not used for mere dramatic effect in one single, requisite heartwarming/heart-tearing ballad as so many groups do, but appear over the entire record. And oftentimes, the strings are actually full-on orchestral arrangements that, when they're not turning innocent tracks into pure cheese, sound so disturbingly like a '40s musical backdrop, one can virtually see Judy Garland running around in the distance about to break out in song. Though an admittedly pleasurable and sunny listen overall, unless you're still distractedly doodling hearts and flowers on a social studies folder, there most likely won't be any need or desire to pick this album up.
© Corey Apar /TiVo