| Summary: Run Kid Run sounds like a weaker Jimmy Eat World, but at the core they're still pretty good. |
5 of 5 thought this review was well written
For whatever reason, Jimmy Eat World's Chase This Light didn't quite capture the imagination of fans and critics the way the band's previous records did. To be fair, it wasn't as immediately enjoyable as some of the band's prior releases, but even so, it was still a solid album once you truly got into it. Run Kid Run's sophomore album, Love at the Core is quite similar. While first impressions dictate the 2008 release as nothing more than an unspectacular Jimmy Eat World rip-off, at the core (pardon the pun) the album is fairly good with further listening. Not stunning by any means, but still a decent offering.
In a way, Love at the Core plays similarly to Chase This Light. Barring first single, "Captives Come Home", a pensive rocker which bears semblance to Jimmy Eat World's "Work", the album emphasizes a rather optimistic sound. Catchy soundscapes, big choruses, upbeat tempos, and layers of electric guitar are all major parts of Run Kid Run's delivery, and while the band won't get any marks for originality, the song writing is fairly decent. Of course, much of this is made possible by singer/guitarist David Curtis, who channels his inner Jim Adkins throughout the near entirety of Love at the Core. The centrepiece of Run Kid Run, Curtis' expressive vocal harmonies have an infectious, uplifting tone to them. Opener "Rescue Me" is proof enough, as it relies almost solely on the frontman's talents. However, that isn't to say that the remaining members of Run Kid Run fail to leave their mark on Love at the Core. "The Emergency" is the showcases the band at its most focused. The song lives up to its name, as it is a rather urgent piece which echoes Secret and Whisper's Great White Whale, which was released back in February. The guitars sound fuller, the drumming is more interesting, and most importantly, the song writing is the most varied of anything Run Kid Run has to offer. While it doesn't have the same pop sensibilities as "Captives Come Home" or even "Fall Into the Light", The Emergency" is most well-rounded song on Love at the Core, and easily a standout.
While song-in and song-out Love at the Core is a decidedly entertaining listen, it does hit a rut in some of the more technical areas. Run Kid Run's abundant (some could say over reliance) use of catchy pop-punk hooks make for memorable, radio-friendly anthems individually, but as a unit Love at the Core feels kind of predictable at times. It isn't difficult to recognize Run Kid Run's penchant for potential radio hits, they just have to vary up their sound a tad bit. Also of concern is James Paul Wisner's work on the production. Though the sleek pop sheen fits the band's uplifting, radio friendly sound, the album sometimes feels a little overproduced. This is especially notable during the sugar-coated ballads, "Freedom" and "My Sweet Escape", and while it isn't a huge deal, given Love at the Core's pop leanings, it's still somewhat bothersome.
All in all though, Love at the Core is a solid pop punk record. Given their likeness to Jimmy Eat World, Run Kid Run won't likely surprise listeners, but with their upbeat style, Run Kid Run should at the very least impress fans of pop-rock/punk. Love at the Core does have its flaws; however, keeping the band's relatively young age in perspective, they should be able to mature and grow as songwriters. Love at the Core's highlights testify this much.
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Nice work. Probably not my sort of thing, and implying they're a not-as-good Jimmy Eat World makes me not want to bother.
Digging: Psycroptic - The Scepter of the Ancients
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Great review. I listened to these guys on purevolume a day or two back and wasn't too interested.
Digging: Circle Takes the Square - As the Roots Undo
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^^^Yep, what he said (except it wasn't on Pure Volume)^^^
This Message Edited On 04.30.08
Digging: Lunascape - Innerside
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I like pop punk, but this kind of seems run-of-the-mill type stuff.
Digging: Unleashed - Hammer Battalion
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Wth these guys are first on the purevol charts
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No I was just surprised about how these guys are first place on purevolume. It wasn't in referral to your comment at all.
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I'll give 'em a shot anyway. Nice job, Mike.
Digging: Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
i know these guys, their really cool dudes.
Digging: For Today - Ekklesia | | |
at first all the JEW comparisons bothered me but now after listening them twice they seem valid,
the band has much energy and a great singer. right now its 3,5 for me.
Digging: X Godlike Japan - Blue Blood
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Yeah, they're really nice guys, their last cd had a few good songs on it. I don't know, they're pretty run-of-the-mill though.
Digging: Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. III and IV... | | | Album Rating: 3
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I'll give 'em a shot anyway. Nice job, Mike.
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Don't get me wrong, they're pretty cool. They're just kind of run of the mill, like everybody's been saying. 
Eh, how come the site rating is gone?
This Message Edited On 04.30.08
Digging: Pascale Picard - Me, Myself and Us | | |
You're still #1 as far as I can tell? It says so in your profile, anyway.
EDIT: incidentally, does their religious affiliation ever seep into their lyrics? I was surprised to see that half of the hits for this album on Google are to Christian sites, so I was curious.
This Message Edited On 05.01.08
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Yes.
Managed to kill the song I was digging.... in 'My Sweet Escape' the song ends with the lyrics 'Yes lord you're my king'
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| | | Album Rating: 3
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You're still #1 as far as I can tell? It says so in your profile, anyway.
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No, no, I meant for the album. It disappeared until yesterday?
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EDIT: incidentally, does their religious affiliation ever seep into their lyrics? I was surprised to see that half of the hits for this album on Google are to Christian sites, so I was curious.
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Yeah, all of their songs are based around their beliefs. Not that it should make a difference or anything.
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at first all the JEW comparisons bothered me but now after listening them twice they seem valid
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that's hilarious because they're a christian band. their lyrics are all very spirtual and stuff. at least definitely on the first album. I haven't listened to this yet.
but I KNOW you're talking about jimmy eat world, but I have to comment on that because you're comparing them to jews or so it would seem. :P
I don't think abbreviating jimmy eat world when comparing it to a christian band is smart. it's total trollbait
This Message Edited On 05.02.08
Digging: The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Mongrel
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i don't really pay attention to lyrics when listening to easy going pop rock sounds so i really didn't catch the Christian lyrics, even more coz i don't care about religion, thus it wasn't intended as trollbait.
but i have been abbreviating jimmy eat world with 'jew' for years now.
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thus it wasn't intended as trollbait.
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nah, don't sweat it
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I'm sorry oblivioncry I was just being a dick. I apologize
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the album is kinda getting boring.....
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Pop punk albums need at least a week of ownership for a score in my opinion. obviously, if i pop punk album isn't immediately accessible, then something's wrong, or it's probably not pop punk.
I am waiting on some more opinions for this. I liked the first album for like easy listening when I went I did 3 AM jogs.
what about in comparison to the last? better or worse?
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