Search - Meg & Dia :: Here, Here and Here

In My Heart and Mind and Ears

Katherine | Massachusetts/ Connecticut | 04/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Long lasting Meg & Dia fans beware: this album is very different from their previous albums. If you loved their original, hollow, acoustic, detailed-vocals sound, you will be in for a surprise when inserting this disc into your player. From the opening track "Going Away" to the final "Here, Here and Here" this album keeps jamming and experimenting with new instrumental sounds and muted vocals. The songs, as a whole, are showcased- not the vocals/ instruments/ lyrics in a separate manner.



"Going Away" is catchy, with a slightly ska feel to it. The sound is bright; bolsterous even. The vocals are sweet, but do not carry the same ear catching loneliness that Meg & Dia once carried. In this track, I am tuned in to the violins, the drums, the feel of the music. I could easily find myself listening to this while driving down the highway, on a summer's day, the wind blowing through my hair- while I too go away.



"Hug Me" has wonderful lyrics. The lyrics, I feel, are a bit lost on the surrounding music. I didn't realize how fantastic the words were until I'd pulled out the cd jacket and read them. "I'm just a girl learning to act as planned. I was programmed to be Catholic but I ran." Although it is a slightly overwhelmed "music vs lyrics" song, it is still very catchy and very memorable. It is a very mainstream song. It has a bit of a 90s feel to it- ala "Letters to CLeo" (known for their input on the "Josie and the Pussycats" soundtrack) This might be a song that will launch these girls into the pop/ rock culture of today.



"What If" is another high energy song that latches onto your hips and makes you sway. No, "they don't make em like us anymore". This would be a great one to see in concert. It has a bit of a Japanese inspiration to it- ala "The Pillows". Another song to speed on the highway to- cruisers beware.



"Are There Giants Too, In the Dance?" has a groove that is unforeseen. There's an electric guitar, another bout of ska-felt background music. It definitely has a 90s feel to it too, but in a really good way. It is easy to listen to, and easy to groove to. They lyrics are supported, though a bit drowned out. It is a heavy song, but with the music, it is all taken very lightly. Also includes a guitar solo in the middle, which is such a nod to 80s hairband music.



"Inside My Head" reminds me of Poe- the lyrics are fast, the sound is heavy but catchy- the background vocals are distorted and mocking. It's a new spin on the 90s stuff. Great sound.



"Black Wedding" has clapping, drums, great lyrics, catchy sound, and some really great lyrics. This is the song that is on the sticker on the front of the album- though I haven't actually heard this one on the local radio yet, I'm sure it will be on the charts. Those stations that play "My Chemical Romance" and "Paramore" will have "Black Wedding" blasting through their speakers for months. This song actually reminds me of "The Pink Spiders" as well- another up and coming band.



"Bored of Your Love"- finally, a song that showcases the beautiful, melodic yet harmonious vocals and creative and insiteful lyrics. This is by far in the top three songs on this cd. It is a duet shared with "Plain White Ts" lead singer Tom Higgenson. They are beautifully backed by each other- such a great match. This is a song that you will hum for days. It is the one that matches Meg & Dia's former sound and former feeling.



"One Sail" is reminiscent of the hit "Monster" in its original acoustic sound. It has a great rhythm and a very wide vocal sound. The chorus gathers both girls and brings the sound together. It is a wonderful song with great meaning, though I feel its a bit too mainstream-sounding. It would have been better (even if it wouldn't have fit this particular cd) if it were left in an acoustic version.



"The Last Great Star in Hollywood" has a very "Tatu" sound to it- the verse vocals are cloudy/ distorted with an English accent (?) while the chorus opens wide. It illustrates how the "real" people are much more interesting and satisfying than the "crowd-pleasing" or "plastic" people. It even has a bit of an electronica feel to it- ala "Hellogoodbye".



"Agree to Disagree" has the twang of a country song- which illustrates just how wide these girls' musical range truly is. So far on this album, they've ranged from 90s, to ska, to Japanese, to 00s new age, to electronica, to Russian, to old school country. And they do it all well! I mean, how do you get the feel of Johnny Cash, will still crooning and adding the excitement of today's drums and enthusiasm? The harmonica has "Blues Traveler's" sound. The lyrics still do not disappoint: "Dirt roads remind me of my skin- not because I'm wasting away with the gravel you've ground in." "Agree to Disagree" is very easy to listen to and to enjoy.



"Fighting for Nothing" is a great song that, again, showcases the lyrics and the vocals. This is the stuff that I value. This is the song that is beautiful- has the catch of the re-made "Monster" and "Roses". It has both the great alternatice music, while still having the chance to demonstrate those lovely lyrical sounds. Again, those words are so beautifully creative and insiteful: "Make you see that some things are worth bruising for."



"Kiss You Goodnight" is almost a pop love ballad. Though I sense this song is much deeper than the typical ballad, it still carries that easy flow. Dia sounds hollow and empty- like a lovesick fool does, or an emotionally dying girl. "If all that you take from this is courage, then I've no regrets." The violins are lovely- gotta love that vibrato.



"Here, Here and Here" is the title track, and deserves to be. It is quiet at first, but breaks in very nicely. "I laugh often so, I suppose I'm gonna be fine." And the quote of Mozart, and the title "Here, here and here. He pointed to his heart and mind and ears." This song displays their beautiful guitar riffs and demonstrates their musical instrument talents. This is one of those epic ballads that "My Chemical Romance" or "Yellowcard" are so famous for. The music transports you. Then, you've got that wonderful, so inpirational, lyric "Here, here and here- he pointed to his heart and mind and ears." This song is my favorite.



Though "Meg & Dia" is highly changed due, I'm sure, to more financial backing and the "My Chemical Romance's" producer's insites, they are still one of the greats of this decade. If my life were a movie, this would be the soundtrack. It's catchy, it's brave, and it's mainstream sounding- but it still has the lyrics that display heart, talent, and such wonderful observations.



Get this cd and shout it out to everyone you know. These girls deserve to be on the radio- their hardwork and gorgeous talent needs to be heard by all."

Great new melodies... Their best album yet

P. Shyu | 05/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this album last week. I'll just start by saying I really liked this one. It's not perfect, but it's one of my favorite albums and it's the only one in my car now. Think: "catchy, fast-paced, indie rock."



Their first album Something Real, was terrific and I played it a million times. Here, Here, and Here is a worthy and refreshing sequel to their first. They're not only adding new tunes but new techniques. The music sounds a little more polished, but hasn't moved too far from its indie roots. Lyrics are very bizarre and fun to hear as usual :) Over half of the tracks totally blew me away -- the other half are decent and fun to listen to. As for dud tracks, maybe there's 1 or 2? But as I wrote earlier, I really like this album.



By the way, if you like their music, Meg&Dia are performing on the nationwide Vans Warped tour concert series. You can still buy tix. I got mine."

Pride kills more than AIDS

incubus1 | 05/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, it took a while but we finally have Meg & Dia's sophomore release, Here, Here and Here. Feelings are sure to be varying amongst longtime fans, but at the end of the day I think it's safe to say that this CD caters to almost everyone.



First off, I applaud the fact that they didn't just make a Something Real pt. 2. I never like when a band does that. But, if there's anyone holding up the sell-out flag, I could honestly understand where they were coming from. This is, for the most part, a fairly accessible record full of catchy choruses and nice vocals. However! As was the case with Something Real, the lyrics are where Meg & Dia shine brightest.



A lot of the songs on Here... are sung so fast that you can't really soak up the little treats amongst each track so you kind of have to read the lyrics yourself. It is obvious they have had some questions about religion, someone not believing in them, and even falling out of love. So until you read the lyrics, you might not truly see the beauty that Here, Here and Here possesses.



I'll be blunt, Here... isn't as good as Something Real. The change in overall sound is pretty drastic and the songs sound almost too poppy sometimes. But when Meg & Dia DO capture the things that made us all love the first record so much, it is nothing short of amazing. I'm Going Away, Black Wedding, Bored of Your Love, One Sail, and Fighting For Nothing are the songs that will please us devotees. Hug Me, The Last Great Star In Hollywood, Kiss You Goodnight, and the title track are all sure to please everyone else (and for the most part the older fans as well).



But incubus1! What's the best song? you may be asking. Well dear reader, that honor goes to the gorgeous Fighting For Nothing. Its really a kind of perfect mix of something old and something new and sums up the entire record pretty well at that.



Overall, despite how disappointed I was upon my first listen, I can honestly say that after repeated spins it does, in fact, grow on you immensely. Afterall, this IS still Meg & Dia so it's going to be at least decent. Recommended!"