The misty-eyed acoustic throwback “Hey There Delilah” finds frontman Tom Higgenson pledging his love across the miles. Fans also get an innocent love song (“You and Me”) and attempts to patch up fractured relationships (“Making a Memory,” “Come Back to Me”). In pursuit of a special girl, Higgenson promises to defend her honor and remain faithful (“Write You a Song”). Despite feeling bitterness toward an ex, he resists using the word “hate” on “Hate (I Really Don’t Like You).”
While not explicitly referring to sex, “Our Time Now” declares, “There will be no rules tonight/If there were, we’d break ’em … This is an addiction/Let’s give in to it.” On “Come Back to Me” a guy tells a girl she belongs in his bed. Fickle emotions lead the singer to jump from one girl to another (“Tearin’ Us Apart”), and he shows a selfish disregard for a woman’s feelings (“Figure It Out”). After a night of cheap sex, a young man resents being tossed aside by a loose woman on “So D–n Clever” (the title gets repeated numerous times within the song). Alcohol and an allusion to masturbation mar “Friends Don’t Let Friends Dial Drunk.”
This upbeat effort does the Chicago-area natives proud when it ponders the ups and downs of love. But once casual attitudes toward physical intimacy creep in, they leave a nasty stain on Plain White T’s. Skip the disc. “Hey There Delilah” is worth a download.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
