The Passage: New CD by the Group Boy Hits Car

A few years ago, I was introduced to the band Boy Hits Car. I had become keen on one of their songs called "The Rebirth" however, I could not find much about this group that wasn't rather old. However, in 2006 they released a new cd called The Passage, which I purchased almost too enthusiastically. Feeling that they were not too well known, I felt like sharing their music by listening to it and reviewing how each song sounded and how it made me feel. Below, in no particular order, are the songs listed on their newest cd and a little about each songs feel.

Escape the world

Escape the world has a very alternative sound. The intro seems vaguely familiar, like another popular alternative band that hasn't released any new music in a few years. Almost resembling a late-blossomed angst in comparison to what a child sees and what a grown-up later sees in life, there feels to be quite a bit of anger in the lyrics. A sample of the angst you can almost feel in the song is perfectly described as follows: "when i was a little boy i was alive now i'm old and know what goes on Behind Your Mother (Censored) Eyes!!!" The song is one I wouldn't consider being overly catchy, nor would it be one that really has any profound meaning to other than what the basic lyrics suggest.

As Day Fades

Under two minutes in length, As Day Fades is the shortest song on the cd. Not only does this song have a more laid-back sound initially, but the sound is almost fantasy-like in sound, perhaps because it is accompanied by a woman vocalizing with it. The most profound lyrics in the song are: "and as day fades to night know that i'll be by your side come gather round take my hand one moment of time will defend so tell me will this be the end or is it a new beginning." While the actual meaning of the song can be interpreted to almost anything, the band does not take away any of their element, which seems to be the lead singer shouting at least once into the song. But with the lyrics, you can perhaps grasp an idea why he is shouting, "Let's Go!" What this song doesn't lack is a sudden burst of energy. However, from this opinion, the shouting and sudden pick up in pace really don't do the song much justice.

Everything

"everything has all come down to this moment right now" Slower paced than the other songs on The Passage and softer, the song is more listener friendly in regards to shouting and screaming. It also showcases the singers ability to not only be mellow, but harmonize with others in the group. This song again, remains mysterious in regards to what they're talking about coming down, or specific situations to cause such emotions, however, is rather catchy and in my eyes one of the better songs on the album.

Windswept

By far my favorite song on the album, this song has an actual sitution mentioned within the lyrics: "and look at how windswept my life's become since you left" signifying a breakup where the person singing wasn't quite over the one leaving. He questions her happiness now without him, almost pining on the departure and feeling a little angry about it at the same time. The tune all around is quite gentle sounding, reminding this person of a babbling brook. Soft, serene and somewhat addicting. The singer doesn't really scream in this, except when the song starts to turn angry - before dropping back to mellow. Windswept is definitely a song I would suggest listening to.

These Burning Memories

While the song begins slower, it bursts almost instantly into a faster paced song, however, has a fairly decent beat. The lyrics in comparison to the musical bit doesn't exactly feel to go together as well as the other songs, but that may be their intent. Another song about a lover leaving, this song has a more heart-wrenching feel to it than other songs like this one. "feeling Alive tonight as her memory burns until I die I'm burning inside" expresses exactly how her departure has left him - in shambles.

Tonight

This song sounds vaguely like other songs of theirs, which displeases me in regards to the bands ability. Another song about breaking up and falling apart, the song portrays the same emotions These Burning Memories and Windswept do, in my opinion. The only difference is the pace of the song and the lyrics - along with a hint of a moment of insanity in the song. "Wanna lose my mind the absence of time .." as he begins to grow louder in singing. The song in general is not bad, however, not one of the better ones on the cd in my opinion.

Forever and A Day

The introduction to this song is slightly different from the others - a nice change of pace. However, also about a breakup, this one turns more towards how the other man makes her feel. It has a rather pleasant paced beat that is rather catchy once you get into the song a while. The song also expresses the singer's demand to know if it's going to be the other man's kiss or him. He expresses how it feels forever and a day since they were together and his concern about her moving on. As the song progresses, he decides to say goodbye and continue on with his life with the hopes they meet again. This one contains a slight bit of profanity, but, nothing too shocking and only limited to one word. By far one of the better songs on The Passage.

The Sound of a Breaking Heart

Imagine that. Another song about breaking up and heartache. The song begins with a more rock feel than the acoustic one the others create, giving again another change of pace from the majority of the album. The song appears to be more of a sung poem than an actual song in parts, however, nothing truly stood out in regards to the song. The same crescendos before choruses and same drop-offs to the next verse. " how many times can my heart break?" This appears to be more along the lines of an impending goodbye than one that has already happened. While I was not too keen on the sound, I won't write it off as not piquing someone's interest. The song lacks profanity which may appeal to most as you can sing along and not have to skip over a word. However, the song is catchy and has a chorus that seems to stick to memory fairly well.

Love's Subtle Scheme

Immediately from the start, this song caught my attention. The song appears to have a more electrical sounding feel than any of the other songs on the album, however, seems to maintain a mellow sound like most of the album. The song is about love, as the title suggests, however, the man questions if he's in love or if it's insanity, as described in the lyrics: "your love defines me but is it love or insanity?" In my ears it appears to be more of a rock-love ballad in a way. In general, the song isn't bad in the least. It's easy to listen to, again, with limited profanity in the chorus. In comparison to the other love songs on the album it is entirely different and not at all about breaking up or heartache. Perhaps the second best song on the album, if I had to rate them.

While the album is only 9 songs long, some of the songs seem to sound too much like the others, making it difficult to listen to this cd in one sitting. I must admit displeasure in a lot of the songs portraying the same emotions as the others, as well as the redundancy of over half the intros to the songs being almost alike after a while. All in all, The Passage has a little variety that should appeal to some, as well as most Boy Hits Car fans out there. On a scale from 1 to 10 I'd rate the album a 7.