Better Than Before (2003)

by The Singles

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1.
I'm In Love With You 02:56
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2.
Since You've Been Gone 01:55
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3.
I'll Be Good To You 02:27
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4.
Until You Came Along 02:38
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5.
It'll Never Be The Same Again 03:02
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6.
I'm Coming Home To You 03:16
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7.
He Can Go, You Can't Stay 03:24
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8.
Better Than Before 02:17
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9.
Come On 02:39
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10.
See You Again 01:43
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11.
There's Nothing Wrong When I'm With You 02:06
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12.
She's Got A Hold 02:26
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13.
No More Places (Left To Go) 03:37
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14.
Waited So Long 02:59
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about

The debut album from Detroit rock 'n' rollers, The Singles. Originally released on Rainbow Quartz Records on August 26, 2003.

The Singles are a well-dressed foursome of guys barely in their twenties who hail from garage rock central U.S.A., better known on the map as Detroit, MI. They don't have much in common with the others bands on the scene except for a lot of energy in their approach and a healthy respect for the past. Instead of looking to the Stooges or the blues for inspiration, the Singles look to classic pop sources like the Beatles, the Who, the Kinks, Buddy Holly, and the Flamin' Groovies (bass player Dave Lawson even resembles Groovie guitarist Cyril Jordan circa 1976) for their inspiration. Main Single Vince Frederick writes unswervingly snappy tunes and delivers the chirpy vocals with just the right amount of teenage angst. The tracks alternate hard-charging beat rockers like "No More Places (Left to Go)," the Buddy Holly-channeling "See You Again," and the tambourine-shaking "He Can Go, You Can Stay" with sensitive beat ballads like "Waited So Long" (which has a monster guitar solo by Will Yates), "Since You've Been Gone," and the lilting "There's Nothing Wrong When I'm With You." Better Than Before rushes past in a blur of melody, harmony, and energy without a single weak song, and thanks to Jim Diamond's clean but not sterile production the record sounds live and alive. While the Singles have a way to go before they match their idols, their debut record gets them off on the right foot. Fans of power pop, guitar pop, garage pop, and just plain pop should check these kids out. They may not be better than before, but they are better than a lot of today.
-TIM SENDRA, ALLMUSIC REVIEW

credits

released August 26, 2003

VINCENT FREDERICK: VOCALS/GUITAR
DAVE KNEPP: DRUMS
DAVE LAWSON: BASS/BACKING VOCALS
WILL YATES: LEAD GUITAR/BACKING VOCALS

RECORDED AT GHETTO RECORDERS (DETROIT, MI) FEB/MAR 2003
PRODUCER: JIM DIAMOND
MASTERING: NICK ROBBINS
ALBUM ART/DESIGN: JOSH REESE, FRANK MEENZ
PHOTOS: LIZ OROZCO
ALL SONGS WRITTEN BY VINCENT FREDERICK
© ℗ SOUND ARTIFACTS MUSIC 2003

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The Singles Detroit, Michigan

Fusing the energy of Midwest garage rock with the hook-laden melodies and lovelorn lyrics of vintage power pop, The Singles are a rock & roll band whose members started making a name for themselves in Michigan and are still giving their fans bright, tuneful music after relocating to California. The band was formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1999 by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Vincent Frederick. ... more

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