Calling My Dinosaur Life, Motion City Soundtrack‘s fourth studio album, one of the most anticipated albums of 2010 is a bit of a stretch considering that listeners will have to wait a meager 19 days into the new year for the album to drop. However, that shouldn’t discredit Motion City Soundtrack’s chances at securing the reputation or ability to compose an album of the year recording. 
But anyone who knows Motion City Soundtrack should already realize they have the potential of releasing album of the year quality recordings. Their previous three albums have all caused a stir among listeners. Yet, unlike most bands plagued by the hype of their next release, Motion City Soundtrack has released three substantial full lengths in their three attempts. Tried and tested, they leaves fans little reason to think their fourth will flop. I assure you, it has not.
While My Dinosaur Life is truly Motion City Soundtrack’s darkest and most angry album to date, it also remains alive and full of the raw and blatant honesty that grabs listeners from spin one. The album’s pop-punk structures have a tendency to lean slightly more towards the mohawk side of the spectrum. Collecting the spirits of their I Am the Movie past, their do it yourself styling allow them to hang with any punk band on the scene. While it’s true they’ve shared genres with overly polished bands, their influences to me tend a touch more Agent Orange. The album’s opening track, “Worker Bee” is a prime example of this. Rocking tongue and cheek wit, the band tends to feature a class clown kind of sarcasm. Justin Pierre slyly suggests of his life, “I’ve been a good little worker bee. I deserve a gold star,” charming listeners in a way that only a true smart ass can.
However, it’s important to remember that Justin Pierre is truly a smart ass with a heart of gold. As noticed in his lyrics, his sarcasm and biting bitterness often stems from a strong case of depression and situation life problems. Addiction and damaged relationships tend to be an ongoing theme throughout this and all Motion City Soundtrack albums. This is never more obvious than within, “Her Words Destroyed My Planet.” Pierre states, “I just want you to be happy/or something/but I guess anything is better than the time you spent/sitting and waiting for me to get it sorted out.” It would seem, in my opinion, Motion City Soundtrack seems to be at its best when Pierre’s life is at its worst. That level of reality simply cannot be faked or processed by any studio technician. From his frantic screams for medication in “Disappear” or life questions in “Skin and Bones,” deeper issues simply drive this band. It is this fact that separates Motion City Soundtrack from those pop-punk bands who “dance, dance” or want you to “close the goddamn door.”
But don’t be fooled into assuming Pierre’s papercut heartache is a dagger in the spirit of the album. The heavy handed storylines are stewed with a healthy mix of pop culture references to lighten the mood. The mention of Veronica Mars, silly rabbits and “go go gadget arms” lend listeners a bit of relateable nostalgia, placed casually over busy drum beats and flowing keys. Hell, the moog part in “Hysteria” alone is worth the cost of the cd.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. The week prior to My Dinosaur Life’s January 19th release on Columbia Records the album will be streaming in its entirety on the band’s myspace. If one listen isn’t enough to make you snatch up this well manufactured album, you might think about reconsidering your taste in music, because this album is a keeper.
Track Listing:
- 1. Worker Bee
2. A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help)
3. Her Words Destroyed My Planet
4. Disappear
5. Delirium
6. History Lesson
7. Stand Too Close
8. Pulp Fiction
9. @!#?@!
10. Hysteria
11. Skin and Bones
12. The Weakends
