March 2nd, 2010 
James Shotwell 
Artist: Artist Vs. Poet
Album: Favorite Fix
Genre: Pop Rock
Label: Fearless
Without exception, March has always been the entertainment industry’s initial launching pad for Summer. While the big blockbusters won’t hit theaters until May, most Summer tours and music festivals have not only been announced, but are most likely on sale by now. If artists are going to survive the Summer on the road, they need to move tickets and what better way to do so than through new music? That said, it’s no surprise Fearless Records chose March to begin pushing the musical equivalent of ice cream on a 90 degree day into your ears via Favorite Fix, the brand new full length from Artist vs. Poet.
Starting with a flood of “ooh la las” and “ba da da das,” Artist Vs. Poet make sure even a first time listener finds their music engrained in their head as the opener “Car Crash” moves from this simply, yet undeniable intro sequence to an equally successful hook filled with great harmony. Continuing with the great pace set by the opener, “Adorable” and “Favorite Fix” follow suit with impressively well structured songs and Warped Tour ready hooks. However, what’s truly striking about Favorite Fix doesn’t appear until “Unconscious Reality” where the group breaks a bit away from the synth-laden pop mold and takes a more passionate and guitar driven path. The results are one of the most radio-ready tracks anyone on the Fearless Record’s roster has released in awhile that really proves not only the marketing possibilities of Artist Vs. Poet, but also why they aren’t just enough “scene sensation.”
As we sink our teeth deeper into the heart of the record, it’s clear December’s Damn Rough Night EP was very direct foreshadowing as the slightly heavier, still synth sensitive, pop style the group displayed there is strewn across Favorite Fix. Outside of the song from EP [whose appearance here doesn’t bother me as I feel the track is fully deserving of your attention], “We’re All The Same” and “Broke But Not Broken” uses a similar style, except the band is smart enough to change things up by making “Same” is bit slower and “Broke” a bit more guitar driven. The band’s ability to take a sound their aware works, along with vocalist Tarcy Thomason’s unique storytelling vocal style that pulls you into every single track, even the less than satisfying “He’s Just Not Me,” will surely give them [and this record] a deadly leg-up in the scene.
Artist Vs. Poet may just be the heroes pop rock been needing. For a young band in a genre that’s already flooded with straight hair and skinny jeans, Artist Vs. Poet do everything possible to make themselves stand out from the pack. From with the striking, albeit done before album art, to the sly way they manage to blend almost Radio Disney ready hooks into songs with with subtle undertones of hard living and sexuality, this band has a method to their madness that few will be able to deny. Favorite Fix resonates with the youthful energy and ambition of any early millennium emo release, simply with a more electronica friendly twist for today’s music fan. Sure, some will write it off as another take on a well worn genre, but for those who look beyond the more hook driven songwriting style will find one of the most promising young acts of 2010.
Score: 8/10
Review written by: James Shotwell
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Thanks for an honest review. These boys have worked hard and long to achieve their dreams. They have a history of music education and even classical training that many people are not aware of. Like anything else, it’s not all about luck. With the support of a good label and professional producers, let’s hope they achieve the success they deserve.