Review Summary: ADTR changes without selling out, and it works.
I, like a number of you, was never really fond of A Day To Remember, specifically the album Homesick. This is the one band that I have seen that has such a large fanbase and equally large critic base. (Think highchool kids vs Sputnik users) The brocore/pop-punk mix never really stuck with me. I gave Homesick a try after my friend shoved their music in my face. And after a dozen listens from beginning to end I was saying "This is laughably horrendous." It grew on me though, almost ovenight. Songs such as "Mr.Highway" and "If It Means Alot To You" became frequent songs I would play over and over again. After Homesick, I gave What Separates Me From You a shot, expecting something along those two songs I mentioned.
And for the most part, it didn't fail.
The album opens with "Sticks And Bricks" One of the heavier songs on the album, and really, one of the heaviest songs of the last two albums. I was originally impressed with how strong Jeremy McKinnon has come along as a vocalist, yet the song kinda falls flat. The screaming and growls got old after a few listens, the breakdown is unimaginative, if a group could phone in a breakdown, ADTR did their best to do so in "Sticks & Bricks" The Mortal Kombat themed "2nd Sucks" and "You Be Tails, I'll Be Sonic" which also follow this formula. Also the latter has to suffer from the metalcore bands trends of ridiculously stupid names. By no means is the screaming bad, but they have done better in three other albums. It took me by surprise, considering "Mr.Highway" was well done in my opinion and I expected more of that.
Thankfully, those three songs should not be the reason you should really pick up this album.
"All I Want" The first single of "What Separates Me From You" is what the band's intended direction. Less screaming, more meaningful words. McKinnon belting out "And if you take it from me, live your life for yourself, cause when it's all said and done, you don't need anyone else" is a highlight of the entire 33 minute album.
It continues on with "It's Complicated" Which almost goes without any type of screaming, it's ridiculously catchy, leading into "This Is The House Doubt Built" which is a different sound for the band, surprisingly never released as a single.
"Better Off This Way" and "All Signs Point To Lauderdale" are the songs that describe this album, it's distinctive ADTR, songs that people really get into when they perform them live. They have all the energy of Homesick but you can clearly understand the message they deliver.
The closing songs "Out Of Time" which could cross emo territory, is actually done very well, the "teeny bop" angst and lyrics may be off putting to alot of people but to me, it's good.
"If I Leave" is the second half of the album's version of "It's Complicated" it somewhat reminds me of Blink-182 even though I may be alone on this. Of all the non-brocore songs, this was the weakest song, though it sounds they have the most energy.
I realized a musical direction should change after a few albums to prevent a band from becoming stale. Homesick was the beginning of this, it was a good album, but it was childish compared to this. This album refrained from multiple stupid song names that never make sense with the song, the screaming took a back seat to McKinnon's melodic voice and overall, the album is good.
Hopefully Tom Denney doesn't wish to go back to a band that already moved forward.
