When you look at Something Corporate now, you immediately think of
Leaving Through The Window. Well I do. Everytime I hear that name, I think of songs like "iF yoU C Jordan" and "Punk Rock Princess". Sadly, this is a bad example of the band's talent. Even
North, their offering in 2003, didn't justify what this band can do.
It's hard to believe that this CD I am reviewing now was self-released and later discontinued. It's sad really, because this CD completely proves Andrew's ability to write breath-taking lyrics and heart-felt piano pieces. The songs are simple and nothing majorly spectacular musically, but when you combine Andrew's lyrics with the everchanging music of this album, you are given 11 songs of pure bliss.
From the piano solo at the end of the rocky "Straw Dog" to the garage band-esque "Mulligan Goes To War" to Andrew's memories of his childhood in "Babies Of The 80s", there is something for everyone on this CD. Some rock songs, some pop-punk songs, some jazz songs, some indie songs. And whether you are a fan of any of those genres or any others, you can't help but be enticed by SoCo's ability to create truely awesome songs, bleeding with emotion and passion.
A lot of the album begins to get more downbeat near the end, like "Cavanaugh Park", which includes a drum-beat with an African feel to it and a piano melody placed over the top. No guitars, just a ballad on piano and drums. And then there's "Ben Franklin's Kite", which is a eerie and dark tale of Andrew's drug problems back in his teenage days. The addition of a violin in this piano-based song just adds to the twisted story, and just makes your heart skip a beat. Andrew can mix swear words and subjects like getting high and sex into these perfectly played songs ever so well, and you can really feel what it would be like to be in some of these songs that tell stories.
And then there's "When It Goes Down", one of the most poetic songs on this album. Nearly 6 minutes of a beautifully crafted song, and some of the best lyrics put to paper by the band. The only thing that ruins this song is the "Bop bop bop bop bop ba da" little intermission from the song, and that makes it lose all emotion to me. But the minute Andrew sings "And the wise ass called me faggot But I feel more like a creep" you know you are back in a ride again.
Know, I've been writing for a while, and I know what most Something Corporate fans are thinking. How can I review this album without mentioning "Konstantine", undoubtedly SoCo's greatest song ever written. The minute that piano melody begins, it just brings a smile to my face. After 2 minutes of just piano, the bassline comes in, then the drums come in with a very slow bass-drum beat. This song is the reason many people are fans of this band. It's lyrics are perfect, and just blend into the music so beautifully. This is one of the most melodic and passionate songs I have ever heard, and I will freely admit it's one of the best songs I have ever heard too. And to think that this song is played live on this album too is just magnificent, and proves SoCo's abilities of expressing their emotion and musical talents.
Something Corporate will never again write a song as breathtaking as "Konstantine." Never. And I think they know this as well. I think their signing to Drive-Thru Records degraded the band so much (The first line of "I Want To Save You" blatently advertises another DTR band, something very sad I think), and I can't help but think that this band would've been a hell of a lot better if they had never got in touch with them.
This album isn't quite perfect. It's mostly filled with piano-based ballads and story-telling lyrics, and there it's hard to sit through the whole album in one turn. But if you manage to, you are treated to a world of sex, drugs, hurt and growing up, and you will be so pleased that you have listened to all 41 minutes of this.
Ready...Break is Something Corporate at their best, flaunting some of the most breathtaking lyrics in pop-punk today. And the fact that it sports one of the best songs I have ever heard just makes me happier everytime I put this on and hear "Straw Dog", just getting through every song to get to "Konstantine".
Don't write this band off as a poppy bunch of boys who try to look cute and write songs about betrayal and girls. Sure, they do that on this record, but they do it oh-so well. I know this album is unavailable now, but you can download it from [url=http://www.soco-online.net/audio/ready...break/]this website[/url]. Please take the time to listen to it, it's a purely emotional and astounding CD.
