The Format: B-sides & Rarities (Vanity)

Prior to scamming my favorite band's website I had no idea that they were no longer. I was shocked to say the least. Looking on the bright side, before The Format packed up their things and waved goodbye, they released an album of their b-sides and rarities late last year.

The Arizona based indie pop band has never failed their fans when it comes to breaking out fantastic albums. I assumed this wouldn't come short of that expectation and I wasn't let down. Lead by vocalist Nate Ruess, the band of almost 10 succeeded in heading out with a bang.

Their poppy beats coordinated with downright sad lyrics are what the band is known for. You never realize the subject matter until you actually listen to the lyrics. The boys mask it fantastically, causing listeners to break out in dance. This album is no different.

B-sides and Rarities is a compilation of what the boys have done throughout the past five years of their career. It greatly shows their growth as people and as musicians. album also has five demos from their previous studio album, Dog Problems.

A Good Time at Your Expense is an acoustic song about hatred. However Nate’s melodic voice carries the song through, as always.

The boys also threw in a short cover of Do You Believe in Magic? A classic, that they kept a classic.

The last two songs on the album are probably two of their best songs ever released. Apeman and Does Your Cat Have a Mustache? are fun and dance-worthy songs. The quirky titles caught my eye right from the start. It’s a great way to end an album, and since this is their last to be released it’s a great way to tie up their career as The Format.