Review Summary: Yep this is exactly what I remember
This album helped blow A Day to Remember up pretty huge, but remember the day when A Day to Remember (see what I did there?) wasn't sought after by every scene kid who wanted "BR00T4L" screams with their usual poppy music? I sure do. For Those Who Have Heart, was one of those rare gems for me. I'm not usually into this kinda music, but A Day to Remember made it a fun listen while still keeping their much precious manliness intact. However they pretty much ruined that with a re-release of the album with a cover of “Since U Been Gone” while I enjoyed the cover. Trend following scene kids started to stick to the band like flies to poo. It’s very apparent that this band blew up, but the real question is, do they still sound like what they were to begin with?
For the most part yes, but they did tone down on the screams during the first half of the album, opting for a more pop punk sound. While the opening track and most well known single “The Downfall of Us All” is indeed a fun song, I got to admit that it loses that energy after a few listens. “My Life for Hire” is mostly a pop punk song for the most part (though some growls can be heard in the beginning), it’s nothing special really, but nothing terrible either. “I’m Made of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?” (taken from a Night at the Museum), is the first real blast of metalcore you can on this album, as front man throws back and forth between his screams and growls. Mike of The Devil Wears Prada does guest vocals, but is short lived and overall quite pointless. Overall it's a nice song to compliment the song before, and gets you back to why you liked this band in the first place. “NJ Legion Ice Tea” has to be the funniest and most energetic song on the entire album, sure there’s no metal, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good listen. “Mr.Highway is Thinking About the End” is the band opening up with a mid-tempo metalcore sound, indeed all the metal fans of this band have finally found that next song to be looking for. In fact the only singing is found on the chorus and outro. “Have Faith in Me” is the band trying to be even softer then before, but is a dull listen, as no energy, no fun, or anything for that matter really captures my attention. “Welcome to the Family” is the band at one of it’s heaviest moments yet, which makes up for the overall slight pop focus. Guest vocals from The Acacia Strain’s own Vincent really helps the band along, even sounding deathcore-ish at a few points. “Homesick”, “Holdin’ It Down for the Underground”, “You Already Know What You Are”, and “Another Song about the Weekend” just kinda seamlessly blend together, it’s the band trying to be heavy without focus, and trying to be pop without having fun. All dull listens. The last song “If It Means A Lot to You” is actually a fine ballad, although Jeremy’s vocals are outshined by Sierra of VersaEmerge.
If you want brutal screams with pop music, you got it! If you want pop punk music for your fun little listens on your way to school, you got it! You want a band that hasn’t been caught up in too many clichés of both genres….look somewhere else. If you were a fan of the band before, this won’t turn you away, and newcomers may find something they like, but overall it’s a by the book metalcore/pop punk album.
Recommended Songs-
NJ Legion Ice Tea
Mr.Highway is Thinking About the End
Welcome to the Family
If It Means A Lot to You
Skippable Tracks-
Have Faith in Me
Homesick
You Already Know What You Are
Holdin It Down for the Underground
