David Schroeder - Vocals, Guitar
Joseph Hamilton - Vocals, Guitar
Justin Hanson - Drums
Nick Walters - Guitar
Joe Hoermann - Bass
I first heard of So They Say when i was browsing purevolume when they had just released their first EP, i listened to them a few times but didn't think much of them. And as i sit here now listening to this album, their first full length release, on Fearless Records, i wonder why i didn't pay more attention to them in the first place.
Brilliant mix of splendid vocal melodies with catchy guitar hooks.
Antidote For Irony is one of the albums any pop-punk listener who loves great choruses should own.
1. In Loving Memory Of... [4.00]
Starts off with a full powered intro with guitars and some cool drum fills at the end of the sections. Then the vocals come in, great use of dual vocals, verse blending nicely into refrain "in loving memory of...". The chorus finishes with a guitar hook. The song continues in the same way, lots of melody and good ideas. A catchy pop-punk song intertwined with creative musical talent. 3.9/5
2. Antidote For Irony [3.25]
Title track is what any title track should be like, a clear representation of what the album stands for. With a great catchy lyric and chorus "Put down, put down the loaded gun or point it straight between my eyes" makes it memorable. Certainly made me listen to it again. 4.6/5
3. Anxiety Is Setting In [2.41]
Strained guitars start this one off, then straight in with the vocals. Then with a kick arse chorus full of brilliant tunes. "We're on our own so here's the news we've been, set up and I caught a glimpse of what's to come, i guess thats we should have known" And brilliantly slowed down again for the verses. Brilliant song. 4.5/5
4. Goodbye [3.57]
Strange dual guitars start this one off, then a quick melodic part with the drums bashing away in the background. Great vocal phrases again, especially in the chorus. Nice drum rhythm powering through in the verses, all combining to make a great song. "we both know it's sad to say that this time it's good-bye good-bye" Good ending. 4.2/5
5. In Essence We Are Falling [4.21]
Another great example how good the guitar work is on this album, and nice rhythm in the strumming in the verse. Chrous isn't as powerful but just flows through from the verse, but there's brilliant dual layering within it at the end of the phrase. Bridge is well done, and with excellent drum fills going back into the chorus. 4.3/5
6. You Asked "Where Are We Now?" [2.46]
Same mood created in this one, though the chorus is much powerful than any of the others. Well written song with good lyrics "You asked 'where are we now?' we are exactly in nowhere" 3.5/5
7. Over Exposed Photo [4.14]
The beginning of this song sounds a bit like P.O.D - Waiting On Today, and i love that, sounds like a song trying to portray notalgia, i don't know how, it just sounds so lovely. The bass is heard much more in the verses, jerky entries at the end of the verse, which is always good. This chorus is a tad disjointed, but just coming at it from a different angle, it's good. And the melodies are good as usual. 4.7/5
8. The Burden [3.48]
Nice palm muted guitar at the beginning of this song. With it repeated in full when the rest enter. The vocalists have a fabulous range, and great skill in singing together as shown very well here, when they swap parts in the chorus. "It's so real, he said to the man with time on his hands. I don't think your ready, and I don't think I am ready to know." Experimenting with time signatures also in the bridge section, corresponds with the lyrics, sounds cool. 4.6/5
9. Act Like You're Listening, Till It's Your Turn To Talk [3.09]
A different kind of song here, more mellow, and acoustic to start. Nice drums when they come in, very polyphonic, and complex. Beautiful tunes brought in again, to this song, quite simply put together, but always effective. Strange fx to end off. 4.1/5
10. Talking In Circles [3.22]
Feedback eh, they just had to put it in didn't they. Double time hi-hats i recognise in the second part of the verse. And another dose of dual vocals in the chorus, it does remind me of Anberlin his singing, not that it sounds like him, because he has a unique voice, but it's sung in the same style. Especially in this song. Strange guitar techniques/playing being used in the bridge, sounds very nice all the same. Very good song. 3.8/5
11. A Beautiful Plan [4.22]
There's an unearthly sound to this song, sounds almost like a piano, but it's just the guitar with a weird voice on it. And the riff when it finally comes in, sounds definately like Thornley, all of their songs, because they're all amazing. Now into the verse, high pitched guitar strumming behind good vocals always sounds fantastic. The chorus aint bad either, but when has it ever been bad throughout the album, not one bad song. Great send off. 4.3/5
Overall i would rate this splendid album 4.5/5
