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Mxpx – Secret Weapon

August 7, 2007 By Tyler Hayes Leave a Comment

Mxpx secret weapon

Artist: MxPx
Album: Secret Weapon
Label: Tooth And Nail
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 17th, 2007

Overall: 8.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Mxpx are back with their newest full length Secret Weapon. Not a fan of a little punk rock music? This release is probably not for you then. Not an Mxpx fan? Well you’re probably out of luck here too because this record is Mxpx defined. The new album does take some steps in new directions but the steps are very little.

The first song which is the title track “secret weapon” hits hard with 1998 Mxpx punk rock style. The first track pretty much lays it out and foreshadows the rest of the album. If you like or even love it then sit back and enjoy the ride.

“Shut It Down” talks about getting out from behind the computer screen and not having society grow an unproductive MySpace generation. “Top of The Charts”, “Sad Sad Song” and “Tightly Wound” are some of the tracks will probably stand out the most with their thick engulfing melodies. “Chop Shop“ and “Bass So Low” are a couple of the non traditional songs in which the band takes those steps in newer directions. . The songs are sung different and are a bit heavier than the rest of the songs on the album. Probably the funniest part on the record or funniest part from any Mxpx record comes on the song “Not Now”, when it breaks down and mike starts singing “goose fraba” the calming phrase from the movie anger management.

So now on to the “what’s bad” about the album, the part where we can lay into all the things that the band did wrong. Well all the cynics out there can move on because there’s not many bad things to say about this album. With 16 (17 with the hidden one) songs some are slightly weaker such as “Chop Shop” but this is a filler free record that will leave you feeling like your $12 was well spent.

Tracklisting
1. Secret Weapon
2. Shut It Down
3. Here’s To The Life
4. Top Of The Charts
5. Angels
6. Punk Rock Celebrity
7. Contention
8. Drowning
9. Chop Shop
10. You’re On Fire
11. Bass So Low
12. Sad Sad Song
13. Never Better Than Now
14. Biting The Bullet Is Bad For Business
15. Not Nothing
16. Tightly Wound

Note: Review originally posted on www.thealbumproject.net check it out for this and other reviews

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: MxPx

Hidden in Plain View – Resolution

August 6, 2007 By Adam Weidman Leave a Comment

Hidden in Plain View

Artist: Hidden in Plain View
Album: Resolution
Label: Drive-Thru Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 24th, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.5

Earlier this year when the news of Hidden in Plain View’s breakup hit the wire, fans were left shocked and completely devastated. However many found solace in the fact that the group’s final effort, Resolution would get to see the light of day. As Drive-Thru Records still planned to release the posthumous record later in the year. Quickly message boards lit up with both sorrow and anticipation. Everyone shared fond memories of the beloved New Jersey group and pondered what the future would hold for the various projects that would stem from Hidden in Plain View’s demise. Despite the mourning all were anxious to hear what would come of the final recording session. What would the band leave us to remember them by?

We begin with “Bendy” a true opener that packs a real punch, with raw emotion and soaring melodies. I don’t think the album could be led off any better and the track itself will certainly go down as one of my favorites. “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” can only be described as a bouncy number that will without a doubt resonate in fans hearts for a longtime to come. We venture into slightly darker and heavier terrain with the songs “Heavy Breathing” and “Walk Harbor City” where the guitar work proves exceptional. I feel the standout track on Resolution is “Circles,” which is a perfect example of Hidden in Plain View’s finesse for bridging both heavy and melodic sounds to create a killer song. The hard-driving sounds of “Our Time” leave me wondering what could have been… if the group hadn’t called it a day. The ladder of the record is tied together nicely with a short instrumental “Interlude.”

Where “The Lake House” shows no signs of the professional or creative differences that were cited for the separation. The album concludes with “Hear Me Out” and as the ambient almost haunting echoes chant and ringout, the final chapter of Hidden in Plain View is written. While their existence was relatively short, the band has left quite a rich legacy behind. Hidden in Plain View and the music they made will always be remembered, thus giving their subsequent projects some very solid ground to stand on. So, what would the band leave us to remember them by? The answer is Resolution, and it is truly a great note for them to go out on.

Track List
1. Bendy
2. I Don’t Wanna Hear It
3. Like an Ocean
4. Heavy Breathing
5. Walk Harbor City
6. Circles
7. Our Time
8. Off My Shoulders
9. Interlude
10. Something Needs to Change
11. The Lake House
12. Hear Me Out

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Drive Thru Records, Hidden In Plain View

Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice

August 5, 2007 By Sam Anacker 11 Comments

Artist: Minus the Bear
Album: Planet of Ice
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 21, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 9.0

Minus the Bear has been consistently labeled as the “band that should’ve” ever since they burst onto blogs in 2001 with the EP, This is What I Know About Being Gigantic and quickly built a strong following. Through subsequent records the band has continually been criticized for their sound remaining stagnant. The band attempts to fight this label as they release Planet of Ice on August 21, featuring a new member and a new sound.

The new album is almost a complete departure for the band, as the long titles so prominently displayed on Highly Refined Pirates as well as their EPs has finally vanished for better or for worse. Gone as well are references to adventures east of the Atlantic, which were featured on both LPs, in songs such as “Pachuca Sunrise” (from Menos el Oso) and “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse” (from Highly Refined Pirates). Instead, inside Planet of Ice one will find moody, atmospheric pieces evoking comparisons to Pink Floyd.

Planet of Ice begins with Jake Snider’s familiar low pitched delivery. His deep shrills are set over a backdrop of complex guitar riffs. What is immediately noticeable in the opener “Burying Luck” is the increased presence of the synthesizer (played by newcomer Alex Rose). Another thing that is easily found within “Burying Luck,” as well as Planet of Ice in general is another Minus the Bear signature- an overabundance of choruses.

This brings up Minus the Bear’s most continual flaw; a lack of innovation within an album. While Dave Knudson tries adamantly to keep things interesting, pulling out epic prog rock-like solos and working expertly with Snider to create an amazing dual guitar sound, ultimately the songs on Planet of Ice begin to run together. This is not to say that the album is not enjoyable, but rather the entire album carries such a similar sound that one can at times hardly distinguish song from song, and you end up with instrumentation that sounds more at home as a symphony with ten movements, rather than an album with ten songs.

Even with the noticeably similar sounding songs throughout, some gems do emerge. One of the two tracks which are currently available for download, Dr. L’ling is by far one of the most engaging Minus the Bear songs yet, combining the tone and atmosphere set by the rest of the album with some of the more intriguing lyrics and the stand out performance by Erin Tate behind the drums. Snider croons “Don’t give me no hand-me-down love/It don’t wear the same/I want love that looks good on/With a fit that screams my name” eventually yielding to awe-inspiring guitar.

At times throughout the album displays great strides in musicianship, but in the end this album becomes a new face to the same problems which have plagued Minus the Bear from being a stand out act. While this album may contain some of Minus the Bear’s most musically accomplished songs, it also contains some of their most forgettable.

Track Listing
1. Burying Luck
2. Ice Monster
3. Knights
4. White Mystery
5. Dr. L’ling
6. Part 2
7. Throwin’ Shapes
8. When We Escape
9. Double Vision Quest
10. Lotus

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Minus-The-Bear

Balkan Beat Box – Nu Med

August 3, 2007 By Sam Anacker Leave a Comment

Nu Med

Artist: Balkan Beat Box
Album: Nu Med
Label: JDub Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: May 15, 2007

Overall: 8.5
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 5.0
Production: 9.0

Balkan Beat Box released their debut self-titled in 2006, proving that immigration truly isn’t all that bad: it produced one of the most original albums of the year. Formed from members of Gogol Bordello, the band was experienced with the New York scene, and capable of developing hybrids between polar opposite genres. While Gogol Bordello laced Gypsy-influences with Punk and Rock sounds, Balkan Beat Box mixes a Hip- Hop sensibility with instruments likely to be found in the Boban Markovic Orchestra than any other New York based act.

The unlikely crossover of a traditional Eastern sound and a progressive Western genre worked, and the self titled debut found critical acclaim, even helping Balkan Beat Box find their way on a tour supporting the Chassidic rapper, Matisyahu. Amiss touring and fanfare, Balkan Beat Box penned and recorded the successor to their self titled album “Nu Med”, released in in mid-May on JDub Records.

The sound of Nu Med is nearly indescribable. Take every stereotypical Eastern European instrument, every horn and drum you associate with the Balkans, throw it onto a hip hop beat, and then you’re halfway there. On top of this seemingly ridiculous backing beat will be a group of individuals rapping seamlessly from tongue to tongue, pausing to give the instruments time to shine.

Regrettably, Nu Med begins with an all-too-cliché “intro” song titled “Keep’em Straight”, with the voice of an announcer shouting, “Ladies and Gentlemen” several times, finishing with a drawn out “Balkan Beat Box” then quickly the erupting into a chorus of horns, backed by a familiar drum beat, and cheers of the crowd.

The album continues into one of its highlights, “Hermetico”. It begins with a rapped verse, followed by horns on the verge of being irritating, but expertly navigates the razor edge between annoyance and amazment. All songs are multilayered. There may be one person singing, two different electronic sound effects, three percussion parts, four horns and barely audible minor effects simultaneously. Returning from the debut is the all too familiar sound of a rooster crowing.

Nu Med twists and turns, exploring ways to deliver influences from both sides of the Atlantic until it comes to another highlight, “Gypsy Queens”. Beginning with a drum beat and quickly moving into a quick chorus of horns, the song packs fierce intensity. Easily the most danceable tune to be found, “Gypsy Queens” shows the true talent of those behind Balkan Beat Box.

Now this multi-cultural extravaganza isn’t by any means for everyone. This is at best a perfection of the sound found on Balkan Beat Box, and by no means are there any radical new ideas found within this album. If you are searching for heartfelt, emotional lyrics wrenched from the mouth of a love- scorned man, then this is not your record. But if you are looking to expand your boundaries, looking to find horns that will steal your breath, pine for compositions to whisk your soul away to the Balkans, and leave your body behind, moving to the rhythm, then this is the perfect album for you.

Track Listing
1. Keep ‘Em Straight (Intro)
2. Hermetico
3. Habibi Min Zaman
4. BBBeat
5. Digital Monkey
6. Balcasio
7. Pachima
8. Quand Est-ce Qu’on Arrive?
9. Mexico City
10. Delancey
11. Joro Boro
12. Gypsy Queens
13. $20 For Boban
14. Baharim (Outro)

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Balkan-Beat-Box

Against Me! – New Wave

August 3, 2007 By A. Renteria Leave a Comment

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Artist: Against Me!
Album: New Wave
Label: Sire Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 10, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.5

Against Me! is one of folk-punk finniest bands out there today. Fronted by Gabel for almost a decade now, Against Me! New Wave is not a renovation of their usual sound —given the fact that this is their major label debut.

New Wave is stimulating. That is one way of putting it. This album may not be totally new, but it’s Against Me! at their best. One thing that’s new from Against Me! on this album is that they have a summer romance song featuring Tegan from the Tegan and Sara on “Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart”. The song is actually quite good, but a little to long, you will find yourself dragging slowly to the very end. One thing that you are sure to find on New Wave are their political/culture charging lyrics their known to sing about. From their single “White People for Peace” to title track “New Wave” they have a way making their songs sound not too preachy while still getting a message out. The album I think is awesome from start to finish. When I listen to it, I hear progression as songwriters not sellout music as some of their fans may think. If people say they lost their passion, they must have not listened to the songs. The record is great and I advise new and old fans to pick up a copy.

Track Listing
1. New Wave
2. Up the Cuts
3. Trash Unreal
4. White People for Peace
5. Stop!
6. Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart
7. Piss and Vinegar
8. American Abroad
9. Animal
10. The Ocean

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Against Me, New-Wave, Sire-Records

Tokyo Rose – The Promise in Compromise

July 30, 2007 By A. Renteria 4 Comments

The Promise in Compromise

Artist: Tokyo Rose
Album: The Promise in Compromise
Label: Sidecho Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 31, 2007

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

Tokyo Rose’s new album The Promise in Compromise begins with an upbeat lively sound and you instantly know this New Jersey based pop-rock band made an album different from what you’re used to hearing from Tokyo Rose. Although it’s more upbeat, you still get that feel that what you’re listening to is Tokyo Rose. The first two tracks the vocals, sung by Ryan Dominguez will win you over and will make you feel like singing along — that’s a good sign.

By track three, I begin to feel comfortable with the melodies, but “We Can Be Best Friends Tonight, But Tomorrow I’ll Be…” is probably the catchiest song I’ve heard from Tokyo Rose and probably the reason why it’s their first single. The melodies, once familiar, would probably get stuck in your head. This song is poppy stuff though, comparable to The Higher.

Track 5, “Right as Rain,” slows it down a bit — but still keeps the album steady during the chorus.

“611 Life Lesson” the next song, jumps back to the upbeat sound touching on the subject which every pop-rock band has a song for, relationship problems. “There’s only so much more that a boy could take of this…there’s got to be a price to pay when you walk away.”

The next two tracks, “Can I Change Your Mind” and “Swimming with Sharks” are good and “Swimming with Sharks” is one of my favorite tracks. The music is fun; I’d like to be a car driving in the sun listening to this. I’m also sure their shows will be great.

Skipping to the second to the last track “I won’t Say It” reminds me of their sound on their previous two albums.

Overall, I think this is a fine collection of pop rock. Catchy melodies, delicate production, a soft touch. There isn’t enough power to really drive these songs into my head after only one round with the album, but I think this could grow into an enjoyable record.

Track Listing
1. Less Than Four
2. The Promise in Compromise
3. We Can Be Best Friends Tonight, But Tomorrow I’ll Be…
4. A Pound of Silver Is Worth Its Weight in Blood
5. Right As Rain
6. 611 Life Lesson
7. Can I Change Your Mind?
8. Swimming with the Sharks
9. Call It What You Like, Just Leave Us Out Of It
10. I Won’t Say
11. Seconds Before The Crash

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Sidecho, Tokyo-Rose

Yellowcard – Paper Walls

July 25, 2007 By Adam Weidman Leave a Comment

Yellowcard

Artist: Yellowcard
Album: Paper Walls
Label: Capitol Records
Purchase: InterPunk
Release Date: July 17th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.5

Don’t call it a comeback… or maybe you can. With 2003’s smash hit Ocean Avenue catapulting Yellowcard into the mainstream culture. It’s follow up, last years Lights and Sounds, which fell upon deaf ears and eventually was chalked up as a commercial failure. This in turn subsequently took the band out of the spotlight and back to the drawing board. Not even 10 months after the release of Lights and Sounds Yellowcard headed back to the studio to begin writing their next record. What emerged from those sessions was the captivatingly titled Paper Walls, a narrative opus of raw emotion, hope, healing and self-discovery. The record showcases the group at their absolute best, with a thorough display of energy, passion and force on each song.

Paper Walls begins with the blistering track “The Takedown” which will immediately induce head-bobbing even in the most fickle of music fans. The song makes for a solid opener, although the sometimes muddled guitars leave a little more to be desired. The first taste we received of Paper Walls was “Fighting” and I feel that it represents the band perfectly at this point in time. Being the definition of polished pop-punk it is truly my favorite song on the record. Where “Shrink the World” keeps things up-tempo and completely heartfelt with the reiterating statement of “if I could then I’d shrink the world tonight so that I would find you and me inside.” I believe the standout track to be the intensely personal and introspective “Keeper” where the melody is rich and entrancing. The potential is definitely there for this song to be a big hit in the second half of ’07. The first single “Light Up the Sky” which brings forth the resurgence of that familiar Yellowcard sound by way of expert violinist Sean Mackin. As his musicianship remains prevalent in the overall sound and should appease those who felt he was underutilized on Lights and Sounds. The acoustic-laced ballad “Shadows and Regrets” reflects heavily upon the passing of a close friend. The sad overtones strangely enough happen to serve as a platform as some of the group’s best work. The breakneck pacing of “Five Becomes Four” simply proves the band can still write a genuine rapid punk rock song that as always features their signature Yellowcard flair. On “Afraid” Ryan Key continues to lament and open up as he questions “what if I can’t get out? what if I don’t want to be saved?” and states “this is me afraid.” Unexpectedly Paper Walls comes to a halt with the song “Dear Bobbie” an ode to Key’s grandparents and their love. Featuring audio recordings of his grandfather reading excerpts of love letters to his wife. The subtle string arrangement mixed with the acoustic guitar creates a perfect tone. The song as a whole can only be described as beautiful, and the admiration only continues to carry on with “You and Me and One Spotlight.” As the end of the album nears “Cut Me, Mick” which pays homage to the film Rocky; highlights the drumming of the one and only Longineu Parsons. The title track closes out the record with precise fashion; as a sole acoustic guitar is backed by an all female choir. Then abruptly the group breaks into the anthemic jaunt. For me everything is simply summed up with the abstract yet prophetic line “let’s take what hurts and write it all down on these paper walls in this empty house and when our ink runs out we’ll burn it to the ground.”

As the music is fading from the speakers I am left to reflect upon what I just listened to. I admit to never being the biggest Yellowcard fan, but with Paper Walls the band has won me over. It may take some time but with songs of this caliber Yellowcard can undoubtedly breakdown the walls and reclaim that which has eluded them. Whether it can be defined as a “comeback album” or not the only concrete fact is that Paper Walls is purely a great record.

Track List
1. The Takedown
2. Fighting
3. Shrink the World
4. Keeper
5. Light Up the Sky
6. Shadows and Regrets
7. Five Becomes Four
8. Afraid
9. Date Line (I Am Gone)
10. Dear Bobbie
11. You and Me and One Spotlight
12. Cut Me, Mick
13. Paper Walls

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: capitol-records, yellowcard

The Starting Line – Direction

July 18, 2007 By Tyler Hayes 1 Comment

The Starting Line Direction

Artist: The Starting Line
Album: Direction
Label: Virgin
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: July 31st, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

I guess 2007 is the year of redemption and come back. With several bands finding their way back to the styles that gave them their original fame. The Starting Line is the latest to (excuse the pun) find their direction.

The starting line don’t play copy cat with their previous work they simply build off it and focus their sound to something that is mature and unique to them. “Direction” the title track off the record leads off the record with heavy guitars and harder vocals than is typical for the band but lines up with all other tracks on the record. Harder music and thicker melody seem to be the tone the band stuck to while writing the latest effort. “Are You Alone” is the third track deep on the record and right from the beginning has a slower and darker feel to it with the chorus begging the question “are you alone”? “Island” is vastly different with an upbeat feel to it that makes it a perfect summer song.

The album as a whole has a self reflecting theme to it. Songs like “I Could Be Wrong” and “Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us” being the most obvious with the songs being about the bands touring and how people will miss them when one day they aren’t a band anymore. The best stand out lyric has to be in the song “Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us” when Kenny sings “…If you can’t relate and refuse to sing along then maybe I can interest in some other song [a little something like] all that she wants is another baby”.

Starting Line fans will thoroughly enjoy this album and it will be in your top 10 for the year. Others of us who aren’t die hard Stating Line fans will definitely enjoy this record but my feeling is that it feels to short and it seems to not have a very long replay value.

Tracklisting
1. Direction
2. 21
3. Are You Alone
4. Island
5. Hurry
6. Something Left to Give
7. Birds
8. Way With Words
9. I Could Be Wrong
10. Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us
11. Need To Love
12. What You Want

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: The Starting Line

Mayday Parade – A Lesson in Romantics

July 18, 2007 By Adam Weidman 1 Comment

Mayday Parade

Artist: Mayday Parade
Album: A Lesson in Romantics
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: InterPunk
Release Date: July 10th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

With the summer heat blasting outside and thousands of concertgoers flocking to Warped Tour it’s truly peak season for pop-punk. It’s funny to think that it was just a year ago that Mayday Parade spent their summer with backpacks full of CD’s and iPod’s firmly in hand. As they walked up and down the lines of kids waiting to enter the esteemed summertime concert series. The band would sell CD’s to anyone who would stop and take a listen. By the conclusion of the 2006 Vans Warped Tour Mayday Parade made 10,000 new fans without playing a single show. Shortly after, California based Fearless Records took notice of the group and quickly signed them. Tales Told By Dead Friends was re-released in November of ’06 and to date has sold over 20,000 copies. After months on the road it was time to record their first full length record. Entirely prepared with an arsenal of fresh songs and a pair of top tier producers at the helm, Mayday Parade took to the studio.

The result is A Lesson in Romantics, featuring an abundance of perfectly punctuated pop-punk gems. Leading off with the cover “Jamie All Over” which was originally preformed by Kid Named Chicago, but Mayday Parade has certainly taken the song and made it their own. “Black Cat” compared to previous work displays an altered sound, that highlights fantastic guitar work; culminating in a breakdown that defines shredding. The song “When I Get Home, You’re So Dead” is a redo and originally found on their debut EP Tales Told By Dead Friends, the new version provides a new dynamic with a powerful feel; not to mention a much better recording quality. On “Jersey” the lyrical content shines through “Cause Jersey just got colder and I’ll have you know I’m scared to death. That everything that you had said to me was just a lie until you left.” The album charts a different course with “If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask” as mid-tempo bass line creates the perfect flow for the track. Where “Miserable at Best” is piano infused ballad at it’s best, with the vocals resonating back and forth “But I guess that I can live without you. But without you I’ll be miserable at best.” Following, Romantics picks back up to speed with a good amount of hooks and solid drums as well as flawless form fitting vocals. The title of “I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About” is a bit too generic for my taste but the musicianship is anything but. At this point I personally feel that the CD loses a bit of momentum, but the track “Champagne’s for Celebrating (I’ll Have a Martini)” brings everything back around. A Lesson in Romantics comes to a close with “You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I’ll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds” where you can feel all the emotion pouring out of the instruments and onto the record.

It’s safe to say that Mayday Parade has all around stepped it up with this album, illustrating their maturity and growth. The lyrics are quite reflective and the music can only be described as strong, while at the same time that irresistible catchiness remains. With exceptional and visually intriguing artwork, A Lesson in Romantics may just be the complete package. Being one that can provide the soundtrack to these mid-summer memories.

Standout Track
Jamie All Over

Track List
1. Jamie All Over
2. Black Cat
3. When I Get Home, You’re So Dead
4. Jersey
5. If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask
6. Miserable at Best
7. Walk on Water or Drown
8. Ocean and Atlantic
9. I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About
10. Take This to Heart
11. Champagne’s for Celebrating (I’ll Have a Martini)
12. You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I’ll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Fearless Records, Mayday Parade

Sound The Alarm – Stay Inside

July 17, 2007 By Bryce Jacobson Leave a Comment

Sound The Alarm

Artist: Sound The Alarm
Album: Stay Inside
Label: Geffen
Purchase: InterPunk
Release Date: July 17, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

Pop rock has been one of the faster moving genres these past few years but what about that 90’s pop rock that use to be on every radio station back in the day? Sound The Alarm’s first full length debuts with tracks like “Picture Perfect”, and “Stay Inside” that ring of that 90’s pop rock sound made popular by bands like Third Eye Blind and Stroke 9. Other tracks like “Suffocating”, and “If I Told You” are the perfect fit for todays pop rock fans. “Closer”, the opening track on the album is one that sucks you in with it’s catchy guitar riffs and sing along lyrics. “Suffocating” is perhaps my favorite track along side “Stay Inside” both of which pour out everything Sound The Alarm are good at (catchy riffs, sing along lyrics, classic pop rock sound).

When it comes to summer albums its always good to mix something like Stay Inside in with your mix of other pop rock and cruising albums. The band shows a lot of talent for being young and you should expect to hear a lot more about them in the future.

Track Listing
1. Closer
2. Picture Perfect
3. Suffocating
4. Stay Inside
5. Until We Collide
6. Fact Or Fiction
7. Telling Lies
8. If I Told You
9. Count On Me
10. Something New
11. Blame It All On Me
12. Fight For…

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: Sound-The-Alarm

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