Album Review: Pacific Radio 'Pretty, But Killing Me'
By Makayla Corfield | Photo by Eric Weaver
Just a few weeks ago the band Pacific Radio released their first full length album Pretty, But Killing Me. I have had the chance to listen to the whole album multiple times and had the chance to interview the band. Kyle Biane the guitarist, describe this album as “Something that at first look is everything you want, however, nothing is perfect and life happens. That once flawless thing can fall into turmoil. Pretty… but killing me.”. After listening to the album, the title is true. What seems beautiful at first and those feelings can quickly turn bad and hurts. This is an album that has songs of both the faster tempo and slower tempo, perfect for dancing to or studying and doing homework to (what i was doing some of the times I listened to the album). The main thing I love about this album is the range of feelings it conveys, it honestly reminds me of highschool relations and parties. Its loud, it's rowdy and at the same time conveys different feelings of love to sadness.
Review of the Songs:
The first song on the album is “Smile," an energetic song that is easy to dance to with a rhythmic beat and guitar part. Upbeat and seems to be about a girl at a party or concert that starts out as a sweet flirt then the first thing in the morning leaves. All the way through out the chorus repeats “Hide behind your smile”.
The second song is called “Whiskey Girl." This song's opens with a strong guitar/ bass and describing a girl then morphs from a sweet girl into a party girl that you go out with, and then half way through the party she leaves you. Sickly sweet, but turns to poison.
The third track is titled “Katie." Talks about a girl who is always invited but doesn't want to go out, and a girl who you just want to date, but she doesn’t want to date you or get to close to you - whose smile is a double edged sword that draws you in to break you. It's about a girl you wish you could have, but know that you could never have her because she just doesn’t want you.
The fourth track is called "Kitchen Table," which they released on their EP earlier this year, as well as a music video. Another song that opens with a great rhythmic parts. It's about breakup and how she left you broken-hearted, but you really don't care because you knew she was trouble in the first place, and how she tries to flirt and kiss but it no longer works.
The tenth track, “L.A. Is Pretty (but it’s killing me),” is a slower track. This song makes reference to how LA is all glamorous and beautiful on the surface, but after you have been there for a while, you start to notice how it's not as glamorous as it looks. The beautiful facade hides the truth that just is draining and killing you - kinda like a new relationship. At the beginning, it can look perfect, but after a while things might take a turn for the worst. Another comparison you could make is the perfect dystopian family, how they look perfect, when in truth, there are lies and heartbreak.
The eleventh track, “Show Me,” is another slower track. This song sounds like its about after the break up, and wishing you could just go back to how things were before whatever caused the breakup; How maybe you wish things would have gone slower, and maybe not have broken up.
The last track of the album, “Time to Heal,” is a slow song. This song is definitely a more sad song, about how he kinda regrets breaking up (but he knows he messed up), but understands that it will take time to heal and maybe setting her free was right, but is still upset that she never came back.