Having entered the Billboard 200 at No. 21 with more than 22,000 in sales, Cute Is What We Aim For’s new album Rotation has proven to be a major success.
Rotation, the band’s sophomore effort, debuted at No. 10 on the Top Digital Albums Chart and at No. 9 on the Current Alternative Albums Chart. Their song, “Practice Makes Perfect,” holds the No. 1 spot for most streamed video on MTV2.com and has been featured in an episode of MTV’s “The Hills.”
“This album is different than our first album, because we were able to put a lot more time and money into it,” said Shaant Hacikyan, lead vocalist for the group. “This album is the product of three months instead of three weeks. We were trying to write stories instead of songs for this album.”
The pop rock music of Cute Is What We Aim For is extremely infectious.
A fast tempo and catchy chorus reoccur throughout all the songs on the album, and the passionate guitar solos and interesting techniques utilized by the group make the album a sound effort despite a few lyrical clichés.
Rotation also incorporates new sounds not heard on the band’s first album, such as organs, strings and assorted, random noises.
“Musically, we went out there,” Hacikyan said. “We even used sounds from real frogs.”
Cute is What We Aim For’s recording process is a long one.
“First, we have to write everything out,” Hacikyan said. “Then, we must analyze what to change. We reread the music one by one and decide what to add or alter. The practice that comes after that segment takes the longest. The whole process of making an album can take anywhere from two minutes to two weeks.”
Cute Is What We Aim For is a fairly new group. Hackiyan was one of the founding members, starting the band in Buffalo, NY in 2004.
“This band is my baby,” Hacikyan said. “Who else would be dumb enough to name the band this?”
Cute is What We Aim For has had a rocky history since its humble beginnings. In the early years, members of the group didn’t get a long, leading to more than a few changes in membership.
“The band has changed quite a bit,” Hacikyan said. “The dynamics are completely different.”
The current incarnation of the band includes Hacikyan, bass player Dave Mellilo and guitar/piano player Jeff Czum.
“We are a lot happier than before,” Hacikyan said. “Once you have people around you that want to be there its fun.”
To any college students interested in music, Hacikyan suggests using every possible resource and never accepting ‘no’ for an answer.
However, he is quick to add that the path to a career in music he chose didn’t include a college education.
“I don’t know if I could give advice to college students,” he said. “I didn’t even bother taking my SAT and, to tell the truth, I’ve never regretted that decision.”
Cute Is What We Aim For began a tour with the band Secondhand Serenade on Oct. 31.
“It’s been awesome so far. The fans are great,” said Hacikyan. “There’s been great performing. Working with these three amazing acts really inspires you to step it up yourself.”
The bands will come to St. Louis on Nov. 14, performing at Pop’s Nightclub in a show starting at 8 p.m.
For more information about Cute is What We Aim For or to hear their music, visit either www.cuteiswhatweaimfor.com or www.myspace.com/cuteiswhatweaimfor.
