Formed in 2005 Hot Chelle Rae is yet another inclusion into the pop rock genre that has blown up all over radio and television. The group released their first album in 2009 (Lovesick Electric) and is now releasing their sophomore effort, which has already garnered one double platinum single (Tonight Tonight). So how is the rest of the album you ask?

The first track I listened to off the album, Beautiful Freaks, doesn’t impress much at all. Think Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus mixed with whatever Maroon 5 is doing these days and there you go. Lyrics sound like some faux diary page ripped from any faceless teenager in the world who is longing for acceptance by their peers. I’m sorry, but it’s a party track that tried to play it safe while trying to pull off the party bad boy façade at the same time. It doesn’t come off as anything but a manufactured tune. Hey, I get it; sometimes you have to toss in what the people are buying into in order to get the more personable tunes you’ve got catalogued in your arsenal. Right? In any case I’ll bypass the next track I took for a spin, Downtown Girl, because it doesn’t do much to prove me otherwise.

Forever Unstoppable is the next track I listened to and it felt a bit more sincere. The track begins with a message about not sitting still but going after your dreams (Falling Stars Don’t Crash Through Your Window/ If You Want It, Go Get It/It’s Meant To Be Chased). I like it. What I also like is the fact that the song plays like a band-aid for the mess some of the songs on the album really are. Their “live like there’s no tomorrow” theme in other songs is countered by the message that things happen, even if you get your heart ripped out and stomped on, check your pulse, your still alive, move forward. More then likely if your living like there is no tomorrow this will happen a lot.

I Like It Like That, the official first song on the album, is the first to host a special guest, rap duo New Boyz. I’ve never heard of them but I’m sure their huge on radio. In any case the band goes back to its manufactured pop rock roots going on about partying and living a carefree life. One of the New Boyz drops Miley’s name eventually and then girls, drinking, partying, autotune. Where did it all go wrong so fast?

In short if you’re a big fan of the current onslaught of pop rock sound you’re probably going to love this album. The title track is easily one of the most addicting tunes on the album. Its got a lot of catchy beats, the guitar work is fantastic, very crisp and forefront. Lyrically the album is shallow, there are some mildly deep moments of clarity but I wouldn’t call this one of those pivotal life changing albums that will shape events in your life. Just more of the same tunage you can expect to hear on the radio. As always final judgment is yours.