The Christian Manifesto

GENRE: POP ROCK

LABEL: 7SPIN MUSIC

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 15, 2008

RATING: 3 OUT OF 5

Nutshell Version:

Hello Kelly’s self-titled debut “Hello Kelly” is just fun stuff. I enjoyed this record immensely. I know its not going to appeal to everyone, though. There are a hundred different bands (signed and unsigned, Christian and secular alike) who have the same sound and presence. But, these guys know how to play, sing, and I imagine their concerts are every bit as energetic. I believe they’ll be especially popular with teens and youth groups. They’re bouncy, fun and, if you’re willing to stop jamming for a minute, have something important to say in their lyrics.  

Full Version:

Hello Kelly’s self-titled debut “Hello Kelly” is just fun stuff. I enjoyed this record immensely. I know its not going to appeal to everyone, though. There are a hundred different bands (signed and unsigned, Christian and secular alike) who have the same sound and presence. Truth be told, their sound isn’t even what’s all that popular any more. But, I have a feeling, Hello Kelly really don’t care about any of that. They’re not here to reinvent the wheel. They’re here to play good old rock and roll, have fun while doing it, do it well, and share their heart in the process.

“10 Good Reasons” leads off the album and the listener is immediately introduced to Hello Kelly’s brand of punk infused pop rock music. It’s got a bit more synth than I would have liked, which gives it a bubble gum feel. But, the next track “Bring It Broken” is an awesome track that I imagine is popular with fans of their live show. The band’s lead singer/songwriter Francois Goudreault (which is just the coolest name ever)belts out Bring it broken/laying all these fragile pieces at your feet/I’m giving it all to you cause I know you want me to/Bring it broken/I am incomplete, but you’re complete in me! The guitars rock, Goudreault’s vocals power through the din, and you’ll find yourself wanting to get up and dance. “Radio Edit Interlude” is just hysterical. Tracks like “Disappearing” and “Wait For Dreams” mellow things out a bit for the listeners, the rockers adding an acoustic guitar to the lighter side of the song.

There are a few tracks that feel a bit like filler or “more of the same.” Part of this stems from the fact that you can’t do much with this particular kind of sound. You have to be comfortable with different lyrics over nominally different arrangements. But, it really does take some of the momentum out of tracks like “Simple Love Song” and “Paper Bag Princess (Hey Elizabeth),” which should have been a song closer to the front end of the album as it is really good. But, there are also tracks that seemed pretty stupid, like “No Time For Tears” (which sounds like Q-Bert—for all you children of the 80’s). The lyrics are clichéd and the music doesn’t fit the rest of the album.

Like I said, “Hello Kelly” isn’t for everyone. But, that doesn’t mean it isn’t very, very good. These guys know how to play, sing, and I imagine their concerts are every bit as energetic. I believe they’ll be especially popular with teens and youth groups. They’re bouncy, fun and, if you’re willing to stop jamming for a minute, have something important to say in their lyrics. If these guys keep on the same path they’re libel to become the next Relient K.   

Track Listing

1. 10 Good Reasons
2. Bring It Broken
3. Favorite Arcade
4. Disappearing
5. Fall Over Me
6. Simple Love Song
7. Radio Edit Interlude
8. The Right Thing
9. Wait For Dreams
10. No Time For Tears
11. Paper Bag Princess (Hey Elizabeth)
12. My Girlfriend
13. Thinking Positive