What To Listen To Once You’re Inevitably Disappointed by Fun’s New Album
Like many of you, I was very much looking forward to Fun’s second album Some Nights, to be released tomorrow, February 21. It’s already begun streaming, and like many of you will be, I am thoroughly disappointed.
Fun is a star-studded cast of my high school iTunes library, with former members of The Format, Anathallo, and Steel Train. While I may not listen to those bands anymore other than to experience some teenage nostalgia, Fun’s first album Aim and Ignite was one of those rare and pleasant examples of musicians’ writing maturing as my tastes do, so that I still find myself anticipating their next release years later.
But with Some Nights these gentlemen have digressed to a post-TRL MTV appeal with which I no longer identify. So in solidarity I offer you a list of albums that recall or influenced what fans loved about Aim and Ignite.
The Format – Dog Problems
Probably the closest you’ll get to Aim and Ignite, this is Fun singer Nate Ruess’s final album with The Format before forming Fun.
Jellyfish – Spilt Milk
An oft-forgotten power pop trio from the early ‘90s, Jellyfish was co-helmed by keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning, Jr., who also provided arrangements for the aforementioned Dog Problems as well as Aim and Ignite.
Field Music – Plumb
Perhaps this year’s Aim and Ignite (it’s certainly not Some Nights), Plumb evokes many of the same complex musical elements that made Aim and Ignite so stimulating.
Queen – A Night at the Opera
An undeniable influence on Fun’s 2009 masterpiece, Queen created brilliant pop-rock before their time that spans well beyond “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
Listen to “Death on Two Legs (Dedicated To…)”
Fun – Aim and Ignite
Just stick with this gem and wait it out until Nate, Andrew, and Jack get their act together.
Listen to “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)”
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You can hear all these albums in this handy Spotify playlist.
