‘False Starts and Broken Promises’ by Last Man Standing, an Album Fit for a Rock Musical

With a voice like Bowie and the musical intensity of Queen, Last Man Standing tells a tale of chasing after the bright lights, trudging through lonely emptiness, and admitting resentment toward mankind. False Starts and Broken Promises is a drama rock album which has you dimming the lights because surely a rock musical is about to begin.

If this album were made into a movie, the opening credits would roll while a young self-conscious man, with a respectable but artsy name like Nigel, walked down a city sidewalk on a light breezy day. The scene would cut to show Nigel rocking away at a party in a crammed apartment building with people holding cigarettes and colorful drinks.  But the fun would soon turn sour.  Because Nigel puts on a good show, but when the party is over, all that remains is a room full of empty glasses and a head full of sketchy memories.

Halfway through, “The Dean Street Stumble” would demonstrate Nigel’s critical slump into despair.  Through distorted vocals offset by plinking piano, you would hear the fuzziness of Nigel’s thoughts assaulted by the harsh outer world as he questions in slurs, “Where’s the passion?”  Nigel’s passion and emptiness would lead him to dismiss the peripheral matters of life, declaring, “Everything must go!” This is where the big dance number would ensue.  And the dancers would be in black leotards, sporting 60’s bobs and thick black eyeliner.  This album is quite retro, and yet it includes modern fuzz guitar riffs and distortion to bring the music into the present day.

The story would climax during “The Climb” when Nigel would admit he’s wasted with nowhere to go.  The waltzing nature of the music would accommodate the drunken ramble, “From here, it’s clear, I just need one more beer and then I’ll be on my way” home.  Except for one thing. He’d still be searching for the right path, the fulfilled promise that would lead him to where home is.

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~ Myriah Christine, Contributor

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