Name: More Than Just A Dream
Brand: CD
SKU: 31732678
Availability: OutOfStock

Performer Notes

Personnel: Noelle Scaggs (vocals, piano, tambourine); Tony Hoffer (guitars, synthesizer, programming); James King (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, keyboards); John Wicks (keyboards, drums); Jeremy Ruzumna (keyboards).
Audio Mixer: Tony Hoffer.
Recording information: Chateau Relaxeau, Malibu, CA; East West, Hollywood, CA; Sound Factory, Studio B, Hollywood, CA.
Photographer: Joseph Cultice.
The follow-up to their 2010 debut album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, Fitz & the Tantrums' 2013 album, More Than Just a Dream, finds the band expanding upon its vintage soul sound with a more contemporary dance-pop aesthetic. On Pickin' Up the Pieces, Fitz & the Tantrums showcased a '60s soul and R&B approach that mixed sample beats with old-school horns and keyboards, much in the same way Amy Winehouse did on her breakthrough 2006 album, Back to Black. Rather than revisit that sound, Fitz & the Tantrums have clearly decided to update the approach, and More Than Just a Dream finds the band delving into a variety of electronic dance sounds that touch upon '80s new wave, disco, and blue-eyed soul. Still centered around the shared lead vocals of Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs, Fitz & the Tantrums worked with Beck and M83 producer Tony Hoffer, who added guitars, synths, and other programmed beats to the mix. To these ends, tracks like "Out of My League," "6am," and "Spark" are immediately catchy tunes that showcase Hoffer's slick, radio-ready production. Of course, the band hasn't completely abandoned its retro roots, and cuts like the piano-driven "Keepin Our Eyes Out" and the psych-soul-influenced "House on Fire" definitely bring to mind a mix of '60s Brill Building and Motown sounds. Ultimately, with More Than Just a Dream, Fitz & the Tantrums have made an even more infectious, club-ready album than Pickin' Up the Pieces, while still retaining all of the band's organic soulfulness. ~ Matt Collar

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (p.73) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[They're] all about irrepressible energy: hopped-up rhythms, shout-it-out choruses, hooted background vocals."

Entertainment Weekly (p.71) - "The jaunty L.A. band with an affinity for horn blasts and soulful 1960s sounds gets a new-wave makeover here."

Billboard (p.35) - "[They revel] in the synth-drenched '80s on a buoyant collection given a contemporary sonic sheen by producer Tony Hoffer."

Album: More Than Just A Dream
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Out Of My League	More Info...
2)	Break The Walls	More Info...
3)	The Walker	More Info...
4)	Spark	More Info...
5)	6am	More Info...
6)	Fools Gold	More Info...
7)	Keepin Our Eyes Out	More Info...
8)	Last Raindrop	More Info...
9)	House On Fire	More Info...
10)	The End	More Info...
11)	Get Away	More Info...
12)	MerryGoRound	More Info...

Album: More Than Just A Dream
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Out Of My League	More Info...
2)	Break The Walls	More Info...
3)	The Walker	More Info...
4)	Spark	More Info...
5)	6am	More Info...
6)	Fools Gold	More Info...
7)	Keepin Our Eyes Out	More Info...
8)	Last Raindrop	More Info...
9)	House On Fire	More Info...
10)	The End	More Info...
11)	Get Away	More Info...
12)	MerryGoRound	More Info...