| Bayside The Walking Wounded |
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Full Review | User Ratings (65) |
| Summary: 'The Walking Wounded' is a mature, unwavering example of control in music and style, a recurring theme brought to life by taut lyrics and unflinching vocals. Bayside have brought us into 2007 strong. |
7 of 7 thought this review was well written
One of the few important lessons I’ve learned from the act of downloading music is to, well, not download music from Limewire. A contorted mess that gives me more crap than what I actually wanted to begin with, Limewire’s only saving grace was giving me a false Fall Out Boy track. See, I used to be completely oblivious to Bayside’s existence, so when Fall Out Boy was listed as having a track called Alcohol and Altar Boys, I was all over it. “Demo!” I proclaimed, and that was that. But this wasn’t Fall Out Boy. This was better, so trusty Google gave me the insight with the lyrics: This was Bayside, and that was that.
I wasn’t suddenly a Bayside fan. Alcohol and Altar Boys was good, but I quickly forgot about it, and I quickly forgot about Bayside. I then heard about the new album, how if I was so disappointed with Infinity On High, I should check it out. I was apprehensive, as I didn’t want to be let down again, but I caved anyway and became the owner of The Walking Wounded. Doubts be damned, this was excellent.
Before I describe the album in any great detail, I have to point out one thing: control is a recurring theme in The Walking Wounded. The protagonist is very much trying to get back into control of his spiraling life, or his spiraling relationship. This is stated many times throughout, and not only could this describe the protagonist but the album as well. The band is very much in control of their sound, confidently stepping in and out of hooks and choruses like they’ve been doing this for longer than the seven-year time allotted. From the solo of the title track to the paced melodic bass line of Duality and finally the delicate and menacing beat of (POP)Ular Science, I had no idea what I was getting myself into until I heard that first riff.
The first sign of impending change is the tuba placement in the album’s opener, The Walking Wounded, woven so well that it fits securely and welcomed. It’s (dare I say it?) mature, distinguishing itself from the get go that it’s a daunting journey down a beaten path, different because of the strong, pun-free lyrics. This is anger, if not distraught, then confused. Anthony Raneri (one of the strongest vocalists going for the genre now) sings with perplexity, “ As angry as I sound/That’s just the way I cover up, the way I feel/I've been that way for years and years/Slave to broken hearts and sex appeal.” It’s becoming a common occurrence that bands are now becoming more lyrically mature and well-rounded, and Bayside stands at the forefront.
The music, a wonder of guitar riffs and talented drum work, underlines the lyrics in pounds. You can never see the eyeliner being applied when listening to the heartbreaking Duality because this isn’t heartbreaking in the sense of tears for hearts, but the emotional breakdown. These aren't lyrics of a man crying over his heartbreak but of a man taking his frustration and confusion out in words. Raneri’s voice cracks in all the right places, and he does so with conviction. The powerhouse Carry On is uplifting but understated in the way the verses and choruses back and forth with emotions, the lyrics stating, “ I'm all torn at the seams, just like you said I'd be/If this is love, then I don't want a part of it.” This feeling and same emotions aren’t prevalent on every track, lest it seem they all play out the same, but the same power and conviction show up in every track, from the self-powering I And I to the slower Landing Feet First.
The Walking Wounded is a display of raw talent, a variety of sound and emotional ambiguity, lyrically truthful but never talking down to the audience. Raneri isn’t writing his lyrics for the same kids every other band in the scene seems to be, and maybe therein lies Bayside’s obscurity from the mainstream masses. They’re not force-feeding their emotions, and it’s not served on some silver platter. This is thoughtful and raw, unperfected and perfect for it. Raneri isn’t trying to hit notes he can’t make (but when he makes them, he makes them). If there’s a flaw to be found from the powerful opening riff to the ace dual vocals of A Rite Of Passage leading into the menacing (POP)Ular Science, it’s the way the songs tend to mesh and sound the same. This is infrequent and becomes less frequent as a trained ear and constant playing makes it all flow as different sections.
I sing The Walking Wounded's praises like it's the best thing since Say Anything's ...Is A Real Boy, and if it doesn’t reach those lofty heights, it comes pretty close. The Walking Wounded is my first real taste of what Bayside can do, and this is a straightforward album, different with their music because it’s tight but maintaining a raw, loose feel, the lyrics being the real challenge. I wanted to feel this way with Infinity On High, but as of now, this is infinitely better.
Inside Genre:
5/5
Outside Genre:
4/5
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| Recent reviews by this author | | |
Wouldn't that make it a 4.5?
Digging: Off Minor - The Heat Death of the Universe
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I would say "I'd rather underrate than overrate" but a 4 just seems so wrong. :[
This Message Edited On 02.10.07
| | | Album Rating: 2
Good review but this is my genre of preference and i cant stand them
Digging: Portishead - Third | | | Album Rating: 2.5
Not a very compelling album.
Digging: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - The Swell Season | | | Album Rating: 3
Like I said, way better than Infinity On High. Not super-original but a fun listen and to be honest, these guys (and other bands like them) deserve far more success and popularity than some mainstream acts out there.
Digging: John Mayer - Where the Light Is | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I just cannot understand why Bayside isn't more successful. This is their 3rd great album and here it took four days for a review to finally be posted, yet Fall Out Boy gets like five on day one. I just don't get it.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
As weird as it sounds, even though this album is better than "Infinity on High" that album seems to be less generic to me =/.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I don't know.... I don't see this as generic. If it were it'd probably go platinum imo.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Their self titled was pretty good actually, but this is just...meh, "They're Not Horses, They're Unicorns" and "Duality" are the only tracks I really like.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I get what you're sayin but c'mon what's wrong with "Carry On" and "Choice Hops"?
This Message Edited On 02.10.07
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I can honestly see why someone wouldn't find this a 4.5, and I argued with myself over it, but I'm listening to it now again and I like it so much.
Yip.
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boring, very boring even the tuba doesnt didnt do much just made me go 'huh whats that? oh right a tuba'. ive never been a fan of his vocal style, its much like ben from armor for sleep on 'dream to make believe'. it really drones and lacks range.
Digging: daitro - Laisser Vivre Les Squelettes
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Good review, man. I don't like this band's singer though, I'm not usually a fan of the semi-indifferent vocal style. I've only heard the songs on their myspace though.
Digging: Kaizers Orchestra - Ompa Til Du Dor
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His vocals are meh, but I think he works it well with the music. If it was anything else (say, singing anything Fall Out Boy play) then it probably wouldn't work. At all.
Though I still stand by his being a strong vocalist.
This Message Edited On 02.12.07
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
The first Bayside song I ever heard was 'masterpiece' and when Raneri started to sing, I thought "oh this guy sucks," his voice grew on me, though, now he's one of my favorites.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I bought 'Bayside' and 'Sirens and Condolences' through pure peer pressure, and I deeply regretted both purchases. Each CD seemed to offer boring, drony songs, and just didn't grab my attention. Anthony Raneri's voice was borderline dreadful and really turned me off of Bayside.
Hearing 'The Walking Wounded' the first time was like hearing a whole new band. "Dear Your Holiness" and "Landing Feet First" are two of the most well-written pop songs and really got me into Bayside. This CD flows exceptionally well, but does have some irritating repetitive songwriting elements to it. Most promising thing to come off Victory Records in a while.
Digging: Vice Grip - The Very Best Of | | |
Quote:
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Most promising thing to come off Victory Records ever.
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Fixed.
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Then you're obviously too gay to like Between the Buried and Me.
Digging: Coheed and Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
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Yes, I am. Thanks for tying my musical interests to it.
| | | Album Rating: 5
It's kinda fun watching the argueing going on...but anyways I'd just like to say this album rocks as have all their others. I don't know how you couldn't like his vocals though.
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