My VERY LONG review of "Erase This"

Once again Alan Lastufka produces an album of his own songs with someone trying to perfect what he's worked so hard on. Last time it was Tom Milsom, now it's Luke Conard's turn to please the fans and make Mr. Lastufka proud. Does he succeed? (lol this is so cheesy, but what else am I to do on a Friday night when I'm not allowed to go out) Making A Scene: Definitely a good choice to start out the album. Luke's voice sounds very good without the auto-tune and all. My personal favorite part of this song is the saxophone. Luke does a better than mediocre job harmonizing with himself. The lyrics are just so beautiful and simple. Alan really has a gift with story telling and bringing everything together. The last part of the song says: "..to every song the DJ plays." And the rest of the album is set up like that. Kevin Pollack acts as the disc-jockey (which is unbelievably fabulous) and it works so well with the album. But the saxophone....is AMAZING. It's honestly my favorite part of the song and I do replay that part and that part only, over and over. What a great idea to have a saxophone. Snake aka Shortwave, Part 1: This is one of my personal favorites because I have Alan's singing version (xD) but other than that I truly love it. My only problem with the song is at one point it sounds like it's skipping....but it's not and it's a little strange. I cannot help but randomly burst out singing this song anywhere I go. When I'm home alone, I'm pretty sure the neighbors can hear me singing. I love the part where it's as if someone is changing the radio dial. I don't know what else to say except that I love love love love love this song. Although, I do prefer Mr. Lastufka singing '-' All I Am: I really like the beat of this one it automatically gets my toe taping whenever it comes on. This song I feel has the most meaning, to me at least. It just doesn't sound like Luke does the song enough credit. It's a really beautiful song and Luke does a great job but I want more. I feel the song is too superior to what it turned out to be, almost as if the song deserves more. Does that make sense? Jason's guitar solo is wonderful though. He's so freakin' talented. Mirror Song: This song is great. I don't have much too say but I like this version/medley better but it's tough for me to sing along with, because I'm used to the "Taking Leave" version. I'm not the BIGGEST fan of Kristina's voice but she does well and the song still has meaning. Luke sounds like he's shouting sometimes but that's how he sings. This song honestly breaks my heart and I'm not sure if Mr. Lastufka intended for that...but it does. Also the piano part through the entire song gets astanding ovation. And I LOVE how this song WASN'T ended in the repeating of lines (see below). Turn Signal: Goo Alan on the bass!!!!! This is my least favorite vocal wise and one of my favorites lyrics wise. Just about someone finding their way which everyone goes through. There's something about this medley/tune that I love just SO SO SO SO SO freaking much. It just makes me smile every time. Once again kudos to Jason. But the last line, *Cough* whore *Cough* I love the way it ends. Boxcar Blood: I think it's absolutely AWESOME that Alan kind of based it off of the comic "Freewheel" that I was lucky enough to get. Lyrically, one of my favorites. Apparently this is their first single and I really do love it. It's one of those songs that I don't even thinks need music, it's just an awesome poem but the chorus how it takes off is so fun and it's Luke's specialty shouting/singing that he's perfected and it works. Before I read the comic I thought this song was okay but once I read it it's like I gained more respect for the song and I liked it that much more. I'm definitely going to check out the rest of "Freewheel". The guitar solo in this is SICK. Yes, I said sick. But Jason's got such a talent, man I love that guy. Winter's Song: I'm ashamed to say that when this was released with the music video I thought it was so horrible I couldn't finish watching/listening. Now that I've FINALLY listening to it it's growing on me but I don't see how it connects to the rest of the album, but my favorite part is: "but you turn down, the one song, I wrote for you" just how it's sung I think is so cool and once again I find myself smiling so this is definitely a song I will grow to love in the future. Some parts are a little shaking with the vocals but hey, we're not professionals here. And actually, now that I'm listening to it again, I see how it connects.... Shortwave, Part 2: I enjoy this in other ways from Part 1. I think I might like Part 1 better but they're also completely different. And yes, I DO sing it OUT LOUD! Ask anyone in my household. During the little drum solo it makes you think about how it was all created on a keyboard and how insanely (cool) that is. Once again, love ya Jason Munday. Forgiven: Probably my favorite song from "Taking Leave". I must say, I enjoy that version better than the new one. Also yay Jason!! I'm telling you, this man is amazing. Erase This: My other least favorite vocally. I'm a little disappointed but I think it's a good title for the album and other than that I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said. It's a very relaxing song and I like "familiar hellos" part best. Covers: I'm overall disappointed. I'm never really a fan of covers. I usually like the original and the original only. No remixes for me either. My FAVORITE covers were, "Making A Scene" by Rebecca Brinkley mainly for the piano. I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY disappointed in Craig's cover of Shortwave, Part 1. The beginning music lasts for over a minute and it's strange and boring then he sings and it's just shocking, because I love Craig... )':. The "All I Am" cover by Eddplant is decent. Mike Lombardo did very well on the "Turn Signal" which was good because I wasn't so happy with Luke's version but I love the song so much. And lastly, Meghan Tonjes was WONDERFUL. Hands down favorite cover on not my favorite song from the album. Hahha. She is breathtaking, seriously. The DVD: It brought a smile to my face to see those people on my television screen. It was interesting to see how everything came together and hear how everyone was incorporated in making this project real. I wish it was a little longer. The rest of the DVD was great, I like that it was similar to the digital booklet, really great. Overall, I loved it and it's worth your money. GO BUY IT! ALAN DID AN AMAZING JOB AND SO DID LUKE! Am I too harsh? Did any of this make sense? I DON'T KNOW! WHAT AM I SAYING! ************I'm not sure if Alan tells Luke to always repeat the chorus or a line at the end of a song 2 or 3 times and that's usually okay with me but I find it a reoccurring theme on each and every song and at points I just want to skip the end of the song. The main song is "All I Am" is goes on for about 10 times and it could have been a lot shorter without the repeating of the chorus. BUT "SHORTWAVE, PART 2" SAYS THE CHORUS FOR 40 SECONDS OR SO. I've actually skipped the end because it's too much for me. Also at the end of "Erase This" is happens too, but it's not as bad. This is just a pet peeve of mine in the music world.**************************