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Month: January 2010

Review: Alkaline Trio – This Addiction

Alkaline Trio - This Addiction
Drew Beringer

After expanding their musical boundaries with their last two albums, Alkaline Trio is returning back to what made their music so addictive. Their seventh studio album (and Epitaph/Heart and Skull debut), This Addiction, takes cues from their dearly loved earlier records, such as Goddammit and From Here To Infirmary. The Chicago natives’ main goal was to make a stripped-down punk rock record while maintaining a big sound. This Addiction accomplishes this, but does it recapture the same magic first heard 12 years ago? Throughout the album, the highs are incredibly enjoyable, while the lows are brutal, just like with any addiction.

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Review: The Wonder Years – The Upsides

The Wonder Years - The Upsides
Alex DiVincenzo

Dan “Soupy” Campbell is not sad anymore. After years of struggling to keep his head above water, The Wonder Years’ frontman is looking for the upsides to life. The newly adopted mantra is also the namesake of the band’s sophomore effort, The Upsides.

The album ups the ante in every way possible. The songwriting is more dynamic, sans the out of place breakdowns and unnecessary keyboards. (Keyboardist Mikey Kelly left the band prior to the recording of the album.) In their place are more opportunities for the other instruments to shine. Mike Kennedy displays some impressive skin work with his upbeat drumming throughout the 40 minute duration. Matt Brasch and Casey Cavaliere’s guitar work is more refined and melodic, while bassist Josh Martin keeps the low-end thumping. Campbell’s vocals have also improved immensely. He offers more soaring choruses and crooning melodies.

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Review: Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life

Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life
Drew Beringer

With all the personal issues that vocalist and guitarist Justin Pierre has faced over the course of his life, it’s sometimes hard to believe that Motion City Soundtrack remains a band. With the addictions and relapses plaguing Pierre, the band should have been extinct years ago. But having a great support system around him and a musical outlet has helped Pierre and his band mates release stellar album after album. You would think that eventually things would spin out of control, especially after the lukewarm reception their last offering (2007’s Even If It Kills Me) received from fans. It definitely was more poppy than previous releases, and instead of tailspinning, the Minneapolis quintet landed right back on its feet to record their Columbia Records debut.

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Review: Story of the Year – The Constant

Story of the Year - The Constant
Drew Beringer

“If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” That’s the philosophy Story of the Year has subscribed to since breaking out with their gold debut album, 2003’s Page Avenue. 7 years later, the St. Louis quintet have switched labels (from major Maverick to indie-powerhouse Epitaph) and released albums that added in new quirks, but overall the band has maintained the same direction: loud and fast rock anthems that get your heart pumping. 

That isn’t to say the band hasn’t fine-tuned their craft. Their fourth studio album (second for Epitaph), The Constant continues the precedent set by previous albums, featuring the big riffs and melodies we’ve come to expect, yet it rarely gets stale. The title is fitting, since the band has been pretty consistent with their music since Page. And just like the three previous albums, the energy seeps out of The Constant’s pores throughout, as guitarists Ryan Phillips and Philip Sneed try to keep up with vocalist Dan Marsala’s pace. 

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