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 | Tracklist:
1. Coming Alive
2. Stories
3. When The Night Comes
4. Geysers
5. Little Song
6. East Jordan
6. Future Selves
8. Fourth Street
9. Spring, 2008, Detroit.
Release Date: 2010 | |
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On 65 Lists
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| Summary: 'CAUSE I'M FINALLYYY....YEAHHHHHHHHHH...COMIN' ALIVE! |
9 of 9 thought this review was well written
Anthemic punk rock: It’s the type of melodic music rooted in Americana, which stresses exuberance, nostalgia, and unification above all other traits; something that has been kept alive in recent memory by the likes of Latterman, the Gaslight Anthem, and the Bouncing Souls (among many others). Through the years, this accessible brand of punk rock has thrived on the ability to capitalize on its simplicity, whether this is conveyed through gang vocals, lucid storytelling, or full-fledged energy. For the characteristic of enthusiasm alone, these groups have immediately impacted their listeners; tunes that can be easily shouted along with while it retains that relatable quality that is for formidable within music. Despite going almost utterly unnoticed, the State Lottery’s debut Cities We’re Not From captured all of this in under a half hour and showcased a tremendous amount of potential. The State Lottery were coming alive.
With the rare opportunity for a second chance to make a first impression, the State Lottery could not have delivered with a more electrifying opener. “Coming Alive” is a stimulating track in every sense of the word; a hard-hitting punk rocker that is elevated by bawled vocals, an anthemic chorus, and the uncharacteristic use of a saxophone. The sax play could very well be the record’s greatest quirk, as much of the release appears molded around its melodies. The engaging “East Jordon” emerges as a clear highlight in this regard; the sax trading off the fronting role with the vocals and reigning supreme in the process. In fact, in many places Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band are recalled due to the saxophone play, as the State Lottery are carrying on the very spirit of Americana which The Boss instituted. If the sax and overall enthusiasm isn’t enough to make the listener fall head over heels for When the Night Comes, the anthemic qualities and melodies are just a few more traits that present the record with its allure. Along with its smooth transition from the opener, “Stories” is purely successful in its reliance on searing guitar leads and a multi-vocal chorus.
Even when the State Lottery are not thriving on When the Night Comes’s seemingly unyielding energy, the band showcases an aptitude for charm. “Little Song” is the album’s lone “ballad;” a wonderful, melodic tune which is centered on the simple concept of forgetting about issues through music. As effective as the band is on multiple levels throughout When the Night Comes, this all seems to culminate in the eight-minute closer. “Spring, 2008, Detroit” is a warm and uplifting paradigm of Americana; taking every extraordinary feature from the record and perfecting each. The record’s defining moment is undoubtedly revealed here, for the group vocals are a testament to the release’s unifying nature.
“And we hope that, the night would not come!”
Just as the Gaslight Anthem did with their sophomore release in 2008, the State Lottery have already proven to be veterans in what continues to be a flourishing brand of punk rock. As young as band as the State Lottery are, it stills comes as no surprise that they have developed into a tight and cohesive unit, poised for tremendous things. It truly is a shame that the band has not received the recognition they deserved for their debut, and may only be a bit of exposure away from becoming an icon in the modern music scene. For now, their sophomore release When the Night Comes is a definitive piece of anthemic punk; a rollicking and unifying release which contains sufficient unique qualities to elevate it head and shoulders above its peers.
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great review. I never liked this that much but you have inspired me to maybe listen to it again.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Awesome review. This album is so amazing. These guys totally out-Gaslight-Anthemed The Gaslight Anthem this year
| | | Album Rating: 4
Obviously you would like this. ;p
Digging: Animal Collective - Honeycomb/Gotham | | |
These guys totally out-Gaslight-Anthemed The Gaslight Anthem this year
You mean comparing their latest records? I agree.
Obviously you would like this. ;p
there was no way it wasn't going to love this
thanks guys
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
You mean comparing their latest records? I agree.
Yeah, definitely. Comparing this and '59 Sound or Sink or Swim would be a pretty different story
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I don't think it's that far off The '59 Sound though. Will have to see what this album's replay value will be months from now.
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Great review. Have a pos.
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Yeah, they're pretty close, but The '59 Sound still edges this out imo. The State Lottery's next release is definitely going to be epic, in any case.
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Thanks Irving.
And yeah qwer7, we can only hope
| | | Album Rating: 3
didn't love this, it was good though
the review, of course, was great
Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari | | | Album Rating: 4.5
I feel like I wouldn't like this.
If I wasn't crazy about Titus does that mean I should avoid this?
and good review as always vedder
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned | | |
This is a lot less sloppy and drawn-out than Titus, but I guess they have some similarities. This is different enough to give a shot though Aids.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
yah I mean you have great taste and gave it a 4.5 and the review is good so I feel like i owe it to you haha
I don't really like Gaslight Anthem or Springsteen either so I'm wary, but I'll give it a shot
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
it's a lot more like springsteen than titus but anyway idk how you can dislike springsteen
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
well I don't dislike him I'm just not crazy about him
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
either way, i'm getting this now
| | | Album Rating: 4
Great review man, I love this. Coming Alive and Stories are my favorites off here so it's got a pretty awesome opening.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Title track is ace
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i was seriously about to post your summary as my comment which is basically an instapos. love the review and album
| | | Album Rating: 4
album is awesome, good review
Digging: Dead Congregation - Graves of the Archangels Digging: Dead Congregation - Graves of the Archangels | | | |
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