CD Review : Drake Bell’s “It’s Only Time”

Review by Jay Doughty

It’s Only Time : Drake Bell (Universal/Motown)

You may already be familiar with Drake Bell as an actor on Nickelodeon’s hit sitcom Drake & Josh, or from Nick’s sketch comedy series the Amanda show, or from the feature films High Fidelity or Yours, Mine and Ours. With It’s Only Time, his major label debut, Bell proves himself to be a talented musical performer. This CD is chock full of melodic pop/rock tunes and may well prove to be the perfect vehicle to carry him beyond the borders of teen TV.

Bell cites a Beatles influence, and he certainly wears it on his sleeve. The album opener “Up Periscope” contains an abundance of undersea references and sound effects which allude to “Yellow Submarine” along with a chorus full of Beatle-esque harmonies. “Found A Way” boasts rich, stacked harmonies as well, layered over an acoustic guitar figure that would not have sounded out of place on the white album. Bell takes these influences and places them in a context that is thoroughly modern.

Bell, who co-wrote all eleven tracks, creates dynamic song structures. “I Know,” the album’s first single, juxtaposes sardonic lyrics over a bouncy melody so effectively that one has to listen very closely to detect the underlying tone of disillusionment. “Fallen for You,” a love song with a twist that features Beach Boys falsetto and barroom piano, serves as the first track of a song suite in the style of Abbey Road’s second side. “Fallen for You,” segues into “Rusted Silhouette,” which gives way to “Break Me Down,” followed by the finale, the aptly titled “End it Good.” The first three songs are similar enough in tone and feel to suggest a commonality without being repetitive. “End it Good,” with its ukulele and jew’s harp, sounds almost vaudevillian.

Solid songwriting and stellar vocal and instrumental performances raise It’s Only Time above the typical teenybopper fare. The album has something to offer just about everyone, even those unfamiliar with Drake Bell from the small screen.

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