Being There
Breaking Away
Reviewed by Paulette McCain
Picture: the perfect lazy summer afternoon, sitting in your house with the fan blowing, away from the blistering heat, sipping on a cold beer or a sweet tea. Being There’s debut album Breaking Away would be the soundtrack to such a fantastic day.
Sammy Lewis (lead vocals and guitarist), James Robinson (bass and vocals), Tom Rapanakis (drums) and Nick Olorenshaw (lead guitar) met at a Manchester college in 2010 and formed the band that is now signed to Young and Lost Club based out in London. The album embodies the cool laid back, alternative, indie pop rock with just a sprinkle of 80’s sound. Mr. Lewis explains that the inspiration of the album is “tinged with a sense of limitation, feeling trapped in the suburbs waiting to grow up or just waiting for something to happen”.
“You hate your step dad but so do I/ You waited for years/We stayed up for days/Sometimes it just hurt/Sometimes it goes away.” – “Infinity”
This lyric takes you back to the days of being a hormonal teen and hating everything and everyone but your friends and that special someone. When you use to stay up all night talking on the phone and waking up to the sounds of snores on the other end of the line. This is one of my favorite songs because of the vivid memories that it awakens. Along with “Over Me” that has a tad darker vibe to it, Sammy is repeatedly telling his significant other “Don’t break your heart over me.” You get to hear the other side of lost love.
The instant radio players and public pleasers are going to be “Back to the Future”, “Breaking Away”, “Radio” and “17” due to their catchy beats and melodies.
My only suggestion, is the 5th member of the band is sometimes an attention taker and needs to be dialed back- the guitar. He really molds the feel for the songs such as “Up”; he makes the perfect introduction and the song wouldn’t be the same without him. However, on a few other songs, Sammy’s voice needs to be the highlight. Being a lyric lover, it took several listens with headphones to grasp them.
Breaking Away was released in the UK on June 4, 2012 to great reviews. Today, it’s dropping in the states. Take a listen and I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.
