The Skinney

Known more perhaps for his work as an award winning producer and writer than actual recording artist the talented Ian Eskelin shows once again how versatile he and his pop rock group, All Star United, are with their newest CD, The Good Album. Although The Good Album doesn’t test the waters of musical originality, ASU experiments within the rock genre produce some impressive pop-rock tunes. Powered by the mega-highlight “Dude That’s Freaking Awesome” lets off great hooks and catchy rhythmic beat along with the solid message not to waste one’s life (immaturity and the title are repeated throughout). The humor to that song is a definite attraction and it’s continued in the piano-influenced "Good Times" which features a hilarious bridge. The upbeat tunes are the meat of the album but the lighter pop rock “The Blame” is solid while offering strong lyric’s about uh… taking blame. A dud (Like the overused “Pretty Famous” and the shallow “Good Luck With The Girls”) here and there stop the album from becoming a perfect album but The Good Album is a great way for All Star United to attract attention.