Dear Leader - The Good Times Are Killing Me

I was hoping someone else would take a stab at reviewing something that Aaron Perrino was involved with, as I've already done reviews for The Sheila Divine and the first Dear Leader EP. But some attention definitely needs to be brought to this album. Dear Leader is Aaron Perrino's solo side project now that The Sheila Divine has dissolved. Since the record's release he's added a full band behind him to play the songs live, but what you'll get on The Good Times Are Killing Me is a singer/songwriter's effort that, thankfully, doesn't sound so predictably singer/songwritery. First, you won't find live drums anywhere; instead they're replaced by loops and effects by John Dragonetti (from Jack Drag). The opener is "Our Motto", one of the more tasteful anti-war songs I've heard (remember the horrible Beastie Boys and Zack de la Roca songs?). It's an electronic composition with minimal accompanying guitar, ending with soaring double-tracked vocals. This is the theme for the whole album: mostly acoustic guitars with electronic beats behind it all. The second track, "Vigorous Cravings", is my favorite. Despite the strange title, "Cravings" is a beautiful, cute pop song with one of the catchiest choruses Perrino has written recently. It also features native Boston singer Blake Hazard with some great backing vocals. And the record continues strong the whole way through, from the country-ish "Culture Vultures", the operatic "Committing Fusion", the required 'rock' track "Ice Age", and the absolutely beautiful, apologetic "Standing In Your Way". With the full band, Aaron Perrino's new tracks are starting to be more "rock" orientated, for lack of a better term. The Good Times Are Killing Me will capture the time when he first struck out on his own, writing and recording on his own and doing some really beautiful work. I can only hope that Dear Leader continues in this manner: writing really great, catchy, enjoyable songs. [www.dear-leader.com]