Sean Kennedy - lead vocals, guitar/bass

Stefan Runstrom – drums

Johnny Schou – bass/guitar, backup vocals  

Steven Beck - guitar, vocals

Tickle Me Pink, a Colorado base band, hits the ranks of many bands releasing their major label debuts. The band formed back in 2005 and wasted no time in putting out 2 EP’s, If Only We Were Twenty One And Up (2005) and Half Seas Over (2006). Now, signing with Wind-up Records a leading Indie label, they release their first LP Madeline. The album explores brutal breakups, love, losses, drug use, and mortality. The album begins with the track “Typical.” It starts the album off red hot with soaring guitar solos, drums, and mixed vocals (with effects). It really grabs your attention when the band says “you’re nothing more than a typical whore.” It’s hard to follow up track as catchy as that but “The Time is Wrong” does it and does it well. The album picks up where “Typical” leaves off. It’s a faster track vocally than the latter, but the music is just as intense as it. “The Lush Life” is kind of “blah” in the beginning compared to the sound of the first 2 tracks, but adds depth to the talent and well-roundness of the band. The track does come together as it hits the high point in the middle and the end of the track. Title track “Madeline” spins off the record 4^th. It has an old easy listening style to it until the mini explosion of sound around the minute mark. “We Still Dance” picks the pace back up with super fast guitars, drums and vocals. The song goes from that fast sound to a steady one back to the fast stuff. It’s a great track that gives you a possible old school Green Day feel. “We’re Not Alone” is another really cool track with high energy, great music and a positive message. “The Answer” brings in close with the beginning and then explodes right in your face with the chorus. “I Can’t Breathe” is a unique track with a scream to open it and then a transition to a sly reggae-ish sound back into a high energy outburst with great guitar work. “Beside the Others” is a slower track that is deep of emotion and passion. It’s one of those songs that you can just close your eye and hear each and every emotion that the band is putting forth. The album ends with the track “Tomorrow’s Ending.” The pop side of them comes forth during this side with the sound of the music and vocals. It does pick up a bit around the minute mark then falls back into that pop sound. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing either, it sounds great with nice transitions. Overall this album is a ton better than I was expecting and for that I just want to say sorry to the band that I didn’t go into the review with high hopes. It is a solid debut although it does slide down a bit in second half of the album. The first set of songs are outstanding. All of the music is amazing and have hardly any noticeable mistakes and all of the vocals a crisp and clear. I do want to add that sadly the recently lost bassist Johnny Schou. He tragically past on the day this album was released. For the fellow band members and all the fans with always remember that day are grand and tragic. Please stop by the myspace page and leave a comment and a shout out to Johnny.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My favorite tracks:

Typical, The Time is Wrong, The Answer

Track List:

1.      Typical

2.      The Time is Wrong

3.      The Lush Life

4.      Madeline

5.      We Still Dance

6.      We’re Not Alone

7.      The Answer

8.      I Can’t Breathe

9.      Go Die

10.  Beside the Others

11.  Tomorrow’s Ending