In June of 2011, Simple Plan released their 4th full-length album, Get Your Heart On!, to the world. Meant to be easily mistaken for “get your hard on”, Simple Plan shows off their ability to master all things pop/punk. This album truly got both my heart and hard on. I have been a fan of Simple Plan since 2004 and have never been disappointed. Pierre, Chuck, David, Seb, and Jeff have all inspired me to become a musician and to carry out my dreams. Simple Plan is truly a powerful combination both musically and influentially.
Since the record’s release in June I have listened to Get Your Heart On! at least 304 times (according to my iTunes) and it is still as beautiful as the first time I heard it. Simple Plan experimented with a handful of new techniques in this CD. “We wrote about 70 full songs for this album and eventually chose the best 11,” said Pierre Bouvier (Lead singer). However, their hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed, Get Your Heart On! is undoubtedly my favorite album of all time!
The record starts off with a song called “You Suck At Love”. From the get go I realize this is not the same Simple Plan I remember. Unlike the new Blink-182, Simple Plan has changed for the better. This song is a great opener for Get Your Heart On! and foreshadows what the remainder of the album will sound like. Although there was one thing in particular that I noticed in this song, the pop/punk breakdown. This isn’t your normal screaming, blasting double bass sort of breakdown. No, this is the head-bobbing, major chord progression that makes you want to do nothing but jump!
Immediately following the debut song of Get Your Heart On! is “Can’t Keep My Hands Off You”. For this song, Simple Plan paired up with punk rock vocalist Rivers Cuomo of Weezer to put forth yet another catchy signature SP classic. This song really brings me back to the early days of Simple Plan where stereotypical drum beats and catchy choruses defined their name. My band, Watching The Soundset, covers “Can’t Keep My Hands Off You” and we always end with it because of the fantastic energy that we draw with it. Pierre Bouvier threw in some odd lyrics during the writing of this song. “There’s fungus growing in the ice box, all I’ve got left are fruit roll-ups,” sings Rivers Cuomo. It takes the listener a few times to fully understand the meaning behind it, but once realized, the deeper message becomes clear and is evidence of the incredible song writing ability this band carries with them.
“Jet Lag”, the single released to help get the fans buzzing about the album was not really one of my favorites. When I heard this song for the first time I was truly disappointed and worried that the album would be a bust. Teaming up with vocal phenomenon, Natasha Bedingfield, Simple Plan describes the hardships of being away from the one you love. I’ll cut the crap and tell you how it is. I’ve heard this song far too many times, watched the music video time and time again, and I still cannot understand why these lyrics are so stupid. I understand the message they attempt to get across, but the delivery sucked.
“Astronaut” is the 4th song off of Get Your Heart On! and I am surprised that it is as popular as portrayed on the internet. I have asked many fellow SP fans what their favorite song off the album was and the majority answered “Astronaut”. I have trouble comprehending the impact that this song has on people. Apparently it helps people get through tough situations, but I can’t relate. I do enjoy the spacy, atmospheric synths throughout the tune, but that is about all I like.
Another top song off this album has to be “Loser Of The Year”. This song really demonstrates SP’s use of new techniques and effects to make their music stand out. Just before the chorus, a synthesizer builds up to a easily distinguished chorus. All parts of this song compliment one another and flow beautifully. I only wish that SP would make a music video of it. Bummer..
The 6th song off Get Your Heart On! is called “Anywhere Else But Here”. Simple Plan approached this song a bit differently than the rest. The clear use of odd guitar effects makes this song a hit or miss for some people. Personally I feel it sounds a lot similar to the songs off SP’s third album and would find a much more comfortable home amongst those songs.
Any pop/punk lover should love the 7th song, or so that’s what I thought when I saw who it featured: Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low. My immidiate reaction was something like, “HELL YEA!”, but after hearing the song I was severely disappointed. “Freaking Me Out” is probably one of my least favorite songs written by Simple Plan. I’m not sure why, but I just have trouble feeling this song.
“Summer Paradise” is my personal favorite song off this album and possibly of any song by the band. This song features R&B/Hip-Hop sensation, K’naan. “Summer Paradise” is just one of those tunes you want to listen to, cola in hand, laying on the beach. It screams relaxation and I can’t help but reminisce of the best times of my life while hearing this song. I normally do not appreciate rap, but I feel as if K’naan was the perfect artist to collab with for this song. I have driven in the car with my friends and we’ll all be singing/rapping along with this song and it just really has this amazing feeling to it.
Simple Plan has a tendency to slow things down and get serious in every album. “Gone Too Soon” proves this theory of mine. Simple Plan does an amazing job at writing lyrics that can connect to problems everyone faces. This song explains the difficulties of moving on after a death. I have recently lost an important member to my family. My dog, Bella, passed on a few weeks ago and it’s taken quite a toll on my family and I. While grieving, I heard “Gone Too Soon” and it made me feel better almost instantaneously. It was as though she was still there shining down upon us. The fact that Simple Plan can show this in a song is truly amazing.
The second to last song off of Get Your Heart On! is called “Last One Standing”. The first time listening to this album I truly thought this was an outstanding song, but as I continued to hear the record, it quickly lost interest. It seems like it had potential when they wrote it, but when they brought it into the studio the song never reached its full capabilities.
Simple Plan ends this over-the-top record with a song called “This Song Saved My Life”. This song was supposedly written by the fans for the fans. Simple Plan used Twitter posts to help inspire them during the writing process of “This Song Saved My Life”. Jeff Stinco (Guitarist) was quoted saying that, “Simple Plan has always been about the fans.” Many bands say this, but very few mean it. Simple Plan makes it clear that they are doing it for the fans and not for the fame or fortune.
Get Your Heart On! is easily one of my favorite records of all time! I love this album and will continue to listen to and support Simple Plan. This album is a 10+/10 and I would recommend it to anyone who likes music at all.
Harry Rosenmayer
got pop punk? 