The Script Album: “Script [Special Edition]”

When I first heard "Breakeven" on the radio a few months back, I thought to myself, "Who is this?" My ideas bounced from Maroon 5 to Jason Mraz to One Republic to Coldplay, but this band didn't sound specifically like any one of them. This music was unique - the vocals were just beautiful. I was stumped and anticipated that once this song came to an end, the station would hopefully state the name of the band and the name of the song. That radio station certainly did. The Script was a whole new name to me. After scoping out this band on You Tube, I not only came to the conclusion that this band is totally fierce, but also that I had to get this album.

The Script album is pretty amazing and enjoyable from start to finish - easily one of the best albums I've ever had. It's not very often that a band has the ability to create an array of songs on an album that are all so good, and yet so different from one another. Each song has something uniquely stimulating about it, and the stories in this band's songs can be related to by the listener in some way or another. This strong and diverse collection includes songs with Reggae or even Rap-like persuasion, "Have You Seen Kay," "Together We Cry," The catchy song "Rusty Halo," took me back to the days of Sting and the Police, as it had almost a pop rock to even a punk rock feel. Ironically as well, the lead singer's voice resembles Sting's voice slightly in "The End Where I Begin."

The Script's emotions explode through the vocals and musical accompaniment in the strong ballads "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Talk You Down," which both pull right at the heart. In "Fall For Anything" the lead singer and band sing and play a pep talk to all those girls who fall for the wrong guy and his stunts again and again. "Breakeven" and "Before the Worst" are just two other Script powerhouse songs that rock on this album and show off this great band's versatility.

Just as unique as each song they've created, this band is extraordinary. Not only are the lead vocals and harmonies so unbelievably beautiful with the lead singer's incredible vocal range; but also the instrumental accompaniment of The Script's music (guitar, piano, strings, percussion, bass, etc.) perfectly accents each and every song. This band is so very talented; I can't wait to watch them get bigger and bigger.

This Irish Trio have certainly taken flight with this No. 1 album in the UK and Ireland. The hit singles 'We Cry' and 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved' are certainly well-crafted pop ditties and if you like these, you will like the album. Nice melodies, nice production and that for me is the problem. Everything is too nice and clean. A more 'live' feel to the rockier numbers like 'Talk You Down' might have given the album more 'edge'. Nevertheless, a fine debut and suggests that there is more to come from this talented trio.

Adding to the previous reviews: The Script, hailing from Dublin, are calling themselves a Celtic Soul band. Two of the band members, Danny O'Donoghue and Mark (sometimes Marc) Sheehan were members of a boy-band called Mytown in the late 1990s, and Mark is purported to be one of the top choreographers in Ireland. I find this interesting, in that they gave up the dancing completely, refocused on songwriting and playing, and are probably about to break huge in the states. Mytown got a huge advance and flopped badly, despite a lot of help from big US producers. The main dance numbers were very derivative, but the ballads were good. You could see and hear the talent in their videos (go on YouTube).

My HS age son has been playing The Script's songs for his friends and they are all going crazy on iTunes and YouTube.com, and god-knows-where-else, since they can't buy the album in the US yet.

Great vocals from the three official bandmates, including the drummer Glen Power, very catchy songs with soul, rap, reggae, hints of U2, and some very smart lyrics. We Cry's cool rap/soul foundation and political lyrics grab the kids hard enough to get them to listen to the great ballads of Breakeven (amazing chorus) and The Man Who Can't Be Moved. I found 'If You See Kay' pretty on the surface but a little cloying... the lyric refers to the singer as sweet f.a. without Kay, meaning he is nothing, or sweet f*&K-all, a common UK term (also the title of the old Sweet song). If You See Kay, also spells out the word (F_U_C...), if you catch my drift, so I feel they got a little too clever here, ruining the sentiment for me.

The best thing about The Script though are their amazing live performances. Danny changes up the songs virtually every time he delivers one live, and I have a lot of versions I prefer to the albums. Check out their appearance on Live at Abbey Roads on Sundance, or some of their live performances on balconies, tv shows, etc. on YouTube. They are gonna blow up in the US. Good looking kids, with great songs, great vocals, great performances. How can they miss...The Script is already written in platinum. One day they should drop the instruments and dance a little, too...

If you like their singles "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Breakeven" then you'll love the entire album. So what are you waiting for? You're already a Script fan, go pick up a copy! =D

The only surprise to me was one particular song had the F-Bomb in it, and I didn't realize they were the type of band to say those things. I'm just a little surprised there wasn't a "Parental Advisory" logo on the album somewhere. I buy "Parental Advisory" CDs all the time, so it didn't bother me, but I'm just saying this as a 'heads-up' to anyone who might be bothered by it.

The Script's self-titled album is full of catchy, stuck-in-your-head-all-day songs. I'm not quite sure what genre best describes them, if that matters. Their songs range anywhere from rock, pop, soul, and r&b. Some people have mentioned that they "rap" in some of their songs. I think what they mean is that they do a bit of fast,rhythmic singing (especially on the track "We Cry", one of my favorites). The lyrics are what make this band so special. They are poingant and honest and relatable - no matter who you are or what you've been through. When I sat down and read the lyrics along with the songs, there were some where I just broke down and cried. Any artist that can move me, whether to tears or to scream in rage, gets my vote. To me, it's also important that they are true musicians. They had a hand in writing every song on the album, as well as playing their own instruments. In my opinion, The Script is the signle best band to come out in the last few years and I'm really looking forward to seeing what else they can do! I very highly recommend this CD!