Album Review: Seth Macfarlane “Music Is Better Than Words”

You have to hand it to Seth Macfarlane. Here’s a guy who could just mail it in on all these projects he does, right? If we wanted to he could record a full album of X-mas songs as Peter Griffin, mass market it, and make another zillion dollars. Yet instead, we have someone who is not afraid to come out from behind the voice-over actor mic and stand toe-to-toe with some of the best comics in the world at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen.  With “Music Is Better Than Words” Seth shows that he can also hold his own against the likes of Frank Sinatra Jr.

I am not a show tunes type of guy, I’ve never been to a Broadway show(Book of Mormon is sold out for the rest of my life) , and I really couldn’t tell you the first thing about guys like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra. I’m a heavy metal kid, always have been, and as I am writing this I am listening to the new Machinehead record “Unto the Locusts” which is brilliant on its own accord. But, I won’t lie, “Music Is Better Than Words” is a record that had caught me by surprise, as I didn’t think I was going to like it. Instead, we get a quaint collection of heart-felt ballads and musical theater numbers that would appease even the most skeptical of aficionados.

When Seth wanted to make this record he picked the cream of the crop of pop stars of whom he sounds right at home with as Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles make guest appearances. I’m going to assume they were good if not for the fact I’ve never heard anything else Jones and Bareilles done as I am not a fan of either nor do I listen to radio stations they would be played on but hey, if it works, it works right?

So, this is a record I bought that I will(as the holidays draw near) probably re-wrap and give to my mom but that says a lot because I usually put thought into what I am going to buy her and as such I think she will enjoy this record because of her affection for artists like Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr and whatnot. In closing, if you are looking for any songs about AIDS or the like I would advise you turn away, but if you are looking for  a) big band Broadway-type tunes b) potential songs to dance to at your high school senior prom c) something to buy your parents/grandparents for the upcoming holiday, then look no further as “Music Is Better Than Words is in stores now!

PS If after listening to this record you are interested in seeing these songs performed in concert(albeit televised) this Friday, Sept. 30th EpixHD has Seth Macfarlane: Swingin’ in Concert where Seth will be joined by Sara Bareilles and a 39-piece orchestra. Check out a trailer and your local listings here