Listening to good music is like taking a bite of some really good cake. You just want to keep on taking bites of that soft fluffiness.

“Not Only…But Also” by The 88 is pretty much a big fat cake that I just can’t get enough of.

The band has been active since 2003 and has worked with artists such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Matt Costa.

Their album includes light alternative beats intertwined with pop. The album includes instruments such as the keyboard piano, guitar and drums.

Vocalist Keith Slettedahl has a very melodic voice. His voice sounds similar to the lead singer of Keane, but with far more smooth vocals. It is nice to listen to words that you can actually understand. I often find myself straining to listen to the words of some artists today, however this music was fluid and beautiful.

The different songs on the album talk mostly about relationships and how they affect whatever anybody is going through.

“I’m nothing” is a song about how the singer feels as though he is nothing when a break up comes forth. I feel as though the songs are very relatable to any person.

The song is a mixture of The Fray meets Keane and even has a little 1960’s rock to it. It has a strong sound of the piano in the background, which makes the song rather intriguing.

Their album has catchy beats with songs that are easy to listen to. On “Like You Do” I found myself singing the words “Nobody does it like you!” over and over.

Not only are the lyrics lovely to hear, but also the music and the lyrics together really flow well together and it makes the album bright and intrinsic to all of the other songs.

The whole album was very optimistic and the music was very easy to listen to. Their CD had some tracks that reminded me of being on the beach with all of my friends.

This is not surprising to know as some of their songs have been on shows such as “The OC” and “Laguna Beach.” I was an avid watcher of both shows.

Eight can be seen as a very lucky number in some cultures, and apparently having two eights in your band name must give you a lot of good luck. The 88’s new CD “Not Only…But Also” is an absolutely awesome album.

Not only is the music pleasant-sounding but also the lyrics are very relatable and the two together are truly dynamite.

If you like the taste of good cake, I highly suggest you take a large bite out of The 88’s new cake “Not only…But Also.” You will be asking for seconds, I guarantee it.

Vanessa Johnson can be reached at [email protected]