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Bayside could finally be the continuation of that fun
punk sound that was pioneered by groups like The Get Up Kids.
Technically their fourth album (if you count the Acoustic appearance),
this one changes it up a little for the diehard Bayside fans.
Comparing to the previous albums, it can be argued that perhaps
the band got a little lazy on this one. If you remember songs
off of Sirens And Condolences you have lyrics like "You're
not eighteen anymore/Five years should have been enough time for
you to grow up and get over this." On their most recent album
you'll hear "Breathe kids/The mold is getting old/It'll be
gone any day." Even if they didn't put as much effort into
the lyrics, the effort could easily have been placed in the music
itself. A common thread that I find in the music is the way that
Anthony's (lead vocals) voice just seems to carry the entire
song. There's not really a defined point when the guitar comes
out or the drums really shine. This style of music brings me back
to an early 311, maybe around the blue album era.
The tempo and rhythm never slow down, allowing for a very energetic
performance. With "The Walking Wounded" the music comes
in so heavy and fast that you prepare yourself for an intense
song and then suddenly it stops. And an accordion accompanies
Anthony, similar to what Panic! At The Disco does, making
a different way to go acoustic. "Choice Hops And Bottled
Self Esteem" feels more rock influenced. The lead guitar
goes up a few octaves and there's an accompaniment of a harmony
in the background. "Dear Holiness" is very poppy, a
sound heard recently in the newest album out by the Plain White
T's. In fact Anthony and the T's singer Tom could very
well switch bands for a performance. That would be really interesting.
Near the end, "A Rite Of Passage" slows it down a little
and takes the CD to a little bit of a darker place. Mixing the
deeper lyrics and the more alternative guitar is suggestive of
A Change Of Pace's style.
Between the emo band references, the alternative band comparisons
and the punk band similarities, you've got a smorgasbord of
music. Surely you'll find a song that you like, surely.
-Rachel Fredrickson
Track Listing:
1. The Walking Wounded
2. They're Not Horses, They're Unicorns
3. Duality
4. Carry On
5. I And I
6. Choice Hops And Bottled Self Esteem
7. Head On A Plate
8. Dear You Holiness
9. Landing Feet First
10. Thankfully
11. A Rite Of Passage
12. (Pop)Ular SciencE
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