Here in Southern California, there a few things impossibly hard to find anymore; promising job opportunities, affordable real estate, and pop/rock albums worth listening to. Fortunately for music fans everywhere Amy Heffernan and her latest album “Being Awesome” is able to provide a quality sound, which will surely lead her to a plethora of road gigs and a house in the Hills.
“Being Awesome” lives up to its title for a few reasons; the biggest being it’s just a fun album. Amy’s infectious personality is littered over many of the tracks and her happy-go-lucky attitude can’t help but resonate in your mind even after just one listen. It’s obvious from the opening title track that we’re in for a joy ride as the party anthem chorus wails, “Right now, I’m just a drink away, from being awesome, gonna make it happen.” In Amy’s case, she probably had two drinks and if that’s what it took to make this song we can’t blame her.
The good times roll on with “Can’t Wait”; a tribute to warm summer nights, cold beer, and wasting away during the beach season, and “Just Dance” Amy’s cover of Lady Gaga’s groovealious jam. Even though Amy likes to let her hair down, have a few libations and make some punch-drunk hits this album isn’t all fun and games and when it slows down Amy gets a chance to show off her amazing vocals and songwriting skills.
“Over Again” deals with breaking up and the necessity to do the right thing for you, no matter how hard it can be. Her maturity and resilience is a positive message for young women everywhere in a time when most pop music has a diva like attitude and a tendency to negate a strong moral core for women. “Without U” is song that shows Amy’s vulnerability to breakups and how hard it can be to forget the ones you truly love. She lets her guard down and it’s an emotional track that will remind everyone of the one that got away.
The album ends with “The Enemy”, sort of a bitter way to end such a sweet album. The track focuses on jealously, confusion and misinterpretation that can sometimes lead to the end of a relationship. “I can be the bad guy, you can be the victim, I can be a landslide, that swallowed you whole.” It’s about people and their internal construction of nonexistent relationship issues; then use that as justification for their own actions or as an escape method so as not to hurt their own self-esteem. It’s a very deep and interesting song but feels like the polar opposite of the opening track.
“Being Awesome” is a very enjoyable album showcases Amy Heffernan’s versatility within the pop/rock world. The future is bright and as long as Amy keeps having fun making music, Southern California will have one less problem to worry about in the future.
