Posted on 05/07/2009
Okay, I get it: Chester French is some sort of post-hip hop Steely Dan. (Album cover with an Asian woman: check. Highfaluting reference in band name: check) I’ve learned to love the Dan, but I used to really hate those guys. Well, you know what? I can’t stand Love the Future for the same reason: bad lyrics and annoying vocals can ruin even flawless musicianship. In the case of Steely Dan, at least Donald Fagen’s vocals always made like Isaac Hayes and let the undeniable production steal the spotlight. Chester French’s formula of short and catchy pop songs also features some incredibly tight playing and lush accompaniment, but in this radio chasing format there’s no break from the exasperating pop.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if D.A. Wallach didn’t sound like candy-ass Ben Folds, but he does. I won’t write-off his pipes completely, because “Introduction,” “Country Interlude,” and few other tunes hint at some range and potential artistry. Sugar coated vocal cords aside; the lyrics on Love the Future are pretty bad. Remember the almost amusing trend a decade ago when folks like—well—Ben Folds would cover something by Snoop with straight-faced sincerity? Apparently people found self-embraced whiteness and ebonics to be an irresistible juxtaposition. It wasn’t. It was corny. CF proves it still is.

Don’t get me wrong, Chester French doesn’t pull this move out of their bag of tricks full time, but still, c’mon. Besides, even when they’re not talking about their “paper stash,” “these females,” or the appropriateness of trying to “really ball,” the songwriting remains mind numbingly simplistic and devoid of personality. For a couple of true musical talents, let alone Harvard grads, CF has got to be too smart for this to all be an accident; they’re clearly just chasing mass appeal. And honestly, for pop music this album ain’t too shabby. But if you’re reading this because they signed with the Neptunes, because they worked with Kweli or Common, or even because they have arranged this beautiful and lush album with us hip-hop heads in mind, just be forewarned: if you have a problem with gooey pop music none of that other stuff will matter.

Here’s to the jaded sophomore follow up.

- M. Steve Hammer