The Simple Plan
The Simple Plan is an EP released independently in 2022 by August Is Falling, a pop-punk/emo music project led by American singer-guitarist Pat Finnerty. Music producer Butch Walker mixed the EP's single, "August Is Falling". The EP also features appearances by drummer Eric Slick, Kim, and Toby Leaman of Dr. Dog.
| The Simple Plan | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
| EP by August Is Falling | |
| Released | September 2, 2022 |
| Recorded | 2022 |
| Genre | Pop punk, emo pop |
| Length | 13:43 |
| Label | Independent |
| Producer | Butch Walker |
| Singles from The Simple Plan | |
| |
Development and release
In mid 2022, Philadelphia-based musician and YouTube personality Pat Finnerty founded August Is Falling, a pop-punk, emo-style music project.[1][2][3][4] Finnerty wrote[5][6] the songs and played guitars and sang vocals, on the band's The Simple Plan EP that was released independently on September 2, 2022.[7] The EP featured Toby Leaman, Kim, and Butch Walker on tracks,[5] as well an appearance by Eric Slick on drums.[8] Musical artist Harsh Symmetry appeared on EP's the cover.[2][9] The EP's fifth song track, "August Is Falling", was mixed by acclaimed music producer Butch Walker and released as a single. A lyrics video of the same track was produced by J. Gonzo.[1][2][10]
According to Finnerty, the title of the EP spoofs Canadian pop punk band Simple Plan.[11] Lyrics of the songs on the EP take aim at the popular music industry, internet culture, and the state of the emo movement.[7] The EP both lampoons and plays homage to emo/pop-punk bands.[12]
The EP's independent release was backed by a grassroots movement to promote it on YouTube.[10][13] The single, "August is Falling", garnered 140,000 views on YouTube in its first week after release with August is Falling trending as the Number 1 punk band on BandCamp[14] and the EP being featured on Spotify's new pop punk playlist.[11]
Critical reception
The band and EP received praise from The Darkness front man Justin Hawkins after its release.[15] The website Craig's Music Review rated the EP 8 out of 10.[16]
Music critic Mark Rowland of Penny Black Music said the EP "sounds like it’s dumbing itself down somewhat to meet the expectations of the genre – to the point of parody in places – but at the same time, the songs are genuinely well constructed and catchy".[17]
Music commentator Allan Raible of ABC News ranked the EP #45 on his list of the top 50 albums of 2022.[12] Raible said about The Simple Plan EP on the Good Morning America website, "Weirdly, it is supposed to be a joke, but Finnerty is a great musician and songwriter, creating five songs that both lampoon the genre and pay fitting, pitch-perfect, wonderfully immature homage to bands like Blink-182. Armed with skill and heart, this EP is infinitely more than a sarcastic footnote."[12]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Pat Finnerty[5] with appearances noted in the track's title.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Simple Plan" | 2:49 |
| 2. | "Mad This Summer" | 2:46 |
| 3. | "B.T.G.G." (featuring Toby Leaman) | 2:33 |
| 4. | "Don't Click the Link" (featuring Kim) | 2:39 |
| 5. | "August Is Failing" (featuring Butch Walker) | 2:56 |
| Total length: | 13:43 | |
Personnel
- Pat Finnerty — lead vocals, guitars
- Erik Slick — drums
- Kim — vocals
- Toby Leaman — bass, vocals
- Butch Walker — production
See also
- "Emo Girl", a 2022 song by Machine Gun Kelly
References
- Belghast (5 August 2022). "Pat Finnerty Rocks". Tales of the Aggronaut. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- "What Makes This Song Stink "Emo Girl" BIG UPDATE". YouTube. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Janci, Janelle (28 August 2022). "Meet Pat Finnerty, the YouTuber who explains why some songs just stink". Lancaster Online. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- "Scranton musician Pat Finnerty got Dave Grohl to sing and chat with him on Instagram". NEPA Scene. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- "August is Falling". Genius.com. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- Harrison, Travis. "August is Falling". seriousbusinessmusic.com. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- "August is Falling - The Simple Plan EP". EXITMUSIK (in French). 4 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- Slick, Eric (31 August 2022). "the secrets out. i played drums on the new AUGUST IS FALLING". Twitter. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- Teeple, Alice (1 February 2022). "Darkwave Artist Harsh Symmetry Unveils Haunting Debut Single "Mirror Twin"". Post-Punk.com. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- "Mysterious Pop-Punk Band August Is Falling Releases Self-titled Single, Announces Debut EP". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- Ufberg, Max (22 November 2022). "Meet the YouTuber who struck it big by breaking down the songs he hates". Fast Company. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- Raible, Allan (28 December 2022). "Review: 50 best albums of 2022". Good Morning America. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- "August is Falling – the simple plan EP (Review)". Craig Reviews Music. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- Grassick, Mark (5 September 2022). "August Is Falling: Meet the internet's hottest new emo band". Ticketmaster UK. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- Hawkins, Justin (10 September 2022). "Are They The Next Big Thing?!". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "August is Falling – the simple plan EP (Review)". Craig's Music Review. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- Rowland, Mark (5 October 2022). "Is Pop Punk Good Now? - Bandcamp Explorer". Penny Black Music. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
External links
- August Is Falling
- BandCamp: The Simple Plan
- Butch Walker
