Tiny Moving parts is a emo-revival band from Fargo, North Dakota made up of brothers Matthew and Billy Chevalier on bass and drums and singer/guitarist Dylan Mattheisen. Pleasant Living is the band’s sophomore album and its by no means a sophomore slump. Pleasant Living is an album full of catchy songs about Mattheisen’s life back home backed by amazing musicianship. Songs such as “Sundress,” “Always Focused,” and “Movies” beg to be played while driving around. Pleasant Living remains engaging throughout, thanks to dynamic songs that are executed with technical prowess yet maintaining punk passion, a skill that makes Tiny Moving Parts stand out in the emo-revival crowd. For all that Tiny Moving Parts has going for it though Pleasant Living has one glaring flaw. Emo music is known for having whiney or screamed vocals with emotional lyrics, that’s part of what makes an emo band an emo band, however there’s a fine line between whining and catharsis. A line Tiny Moving Parts at times misses by miles and come off as embarrassingly melodramatic. Songs like “The Better Days” reads like bad teenage poetry. The lyrics, while cringe-worthy at album and shown progression from their debut, This Couch is Long and Full of Friendship, which is all you can ask for from a bands sophomore album.
Rating: 8/10
By: Charles Pfaff
