Solo artist keeps new album honest
Honesty is extremely important in music, and Tony Melonakos handles the task well on his second release and debut full-length album “Beginning the Victory.” The album, written and performed by the general business administration and pre-law freshman, focuses on the tragic and sometimes comedic value of a young adult’s reality. Most of it is Melonakos and his acoustic guitar, and among the topics he sings about are idolization of John Cusack, through the eyes of a lonely bench-warmer on a basketball team and obsession with the female form. None of it is distasteful, but sometimes the lyrics are too obvious or too predictable. “Night And Day Mares” is a powerful ballad, molding heart-wrenching verses with whimpering strings, while the opening track, “Brad Pitt,” features Melonakos singing about wanting to be the acclaimed actor, while a woman counterpart sings about “wanting to get a piece” of the star.
