Come Alive- Crash The Party

Crash The Party is what I classify as indie-pop or pop-rock; they have a lot of rock n roll elements, but they still have a very pop sound. I first really heard CTP a few days ago when they opened for Hollywood Ending, but I had heard a couple of their songs before that (I just didn't really know the band). They have two EPs out right now; each of their songs has a unique combination of traits: quirkiness, emotion, amazing instrumental aspects, and that 'je ne sais quoi' you seek out that makes you fall in love with a song the second you hear it. CTP is one of those bands that you can hear their personality in their music; I absolutely adore when you feel like you're getting to know someone when you listen to their music- it's sort of like making a new friend.

Come Alive is their first EP, and was released in 2013. I just got it two days ago, and I've already listened to it around twenty times all the way through. Each song on this EP is a love song of sorts- though most of them are about a somewhat flawed love. Crash The Party has a sound that is all their own, but the synth that they have in some of the songs (especially "Call You Mine") reminds me of the stuff that I was listening to eight years ago. That is not at all a bad thing, I honestly love that sound and the sense of nostalgia it provides is extremely welcome. My absolute favorite thing I've noticed about CTP is their versatility: they can play the most beautiful acoustic songs; absolutely destroy a pop-punk jam; and play the most mid-2000s pop sounding, preteen dance party, Sharpay single in the world. (Sharpay is the blonde bombshell, co-president of the East High School Drama Club, and total pop diva; portrayed by Ashley Tisdale in the High School Musical series)

This EP has a lot of different sounds and styles present. There is strong backing drum beats, that keep the songs anchored and provides the necessary substance to make this music that you can dance to. In each song the guitar sounds so unique and I get something new from it each time I hear a song; it totally controls the theme and emotion of the track and you can tell that a lot of hard work was put into making it sound exactly right for what they wanted to song to sound like. The vocals are what completes the song- just as it should be-; everything else is already set up and sounds amazing, then the lyrics and Ian's (lead singer) tone finish the song to make it sound exactly right. What really adds to each song is the backing vocals that you faintly hear; this creates a well-rounded and totally full song, you feel like you've received the best possible version of the song. I honestly prefer their live and acoustic stuff to their studio versions; the thing you must understand is that their songs on this EP are absolutely amazing, yet the just sound so good acoustic and I love being able to hear the energy of them performing live- also in the acoustic stuff you can hear Chris (guitarist/backing vocals) singing a lot more and I love his voice and how it compliments Ian's voice and the guitar.

The song "Forget Your Fears" has a pop-punk sort of sound to it, which is a little bit out of their usual comfort zone. The song is just about letting go of all your inhibitions and just letting yourself have an adventure and maybe fall in love. It's a really beautiful song that has the perfect instrumental backing. There is shout-like backing vocals that add to the emotion and tone of the song. The ending of the song is one of my favorite parts, because it's just the guitar and it slowly fades out; it's simple, but I enjoy it. The lines from the song that I draw the most meaning from are: "I know you need me, I think I need you, too. Just make this easy. forget your fears and come with me tonight." I feel like that just kind of embodies how it is to fall in love; you just have to forgot about everything and just jump in and see how it goes, especially when you're not sure how it's going to turn out.

One of the songs I had heard by Crash The Party, prior to seeing them live, was "Me, My Girlfriends, and You". The reason I heard this song was because one of my friends had told me to listen to it, because it just so happens to be a sort of plea to Mila Kunis to participate in a threeway. It's a pretty funny song if you listen to the lyrics, but the song is actually really good. I love it when bands put a lot of work into every song they record, no matter what it's about. My favorite line is "If it helps we can pretend we're in That 70s Show; you're be Jackie and I can be your Kelso"; it makes me laugh every time. Though "When I hear your voice Meg is the one I see" is a very close second. It's just one of those songs that can make you smile, no matter what mood you're in.

Crash The Party is very talented and I know that these guys can make it big one day. They have also become fairly popular on YouTube and they do some pretty stellar mash ups and covers, along with acoustics of their own songs (which you already know I'm obsessed with). I just love how every part of their music comes together and makes such a beautiful piece of art. CTP has been able to create such a great sound and I genuinely hope that they can become superstars one day, because this EP is better than 90% of the stuff that is playing one "popular" radio right now. Each and every song on this EP is unique and absolutely amazing.

Crash The Party's Facebook Page
Crash The Party's YouTube Channel
Buy Come Alive