Homesick, the latest album from ATDR (A Day to Remember) hit stores in mid 2009. This was quite some time ago, but I would be hard pressed to leave this album without a review. So to quote the first line on the album to kick this review off, “Duda Duda, Duda Duda Du Du Du Duda Duda, Duda Duda Duda Duda Duda Duda… LETS GO!”
It’s clear that throughout their travels they only grow stronger in their sound and their message. Homesick really gives an accurate description trials and tribulations of this bands history. They still follow their past style of blending some poppy vocals with some death metal screams. Also, if you thought For Those Who Have Heart was a catchy album, buckle up ATDR fans!
This band is what I like to call a “Gate Way band.” Many people don’t find metal music that appealing. More commonly the defending statement of a person not enjoying metal is, “There is just too much screaming, I can’t understand what they’re saying.” Once you throw in a band that meets their musical standard with poppy overtones, and add a dash of metal, people’s opinions do change.
The latest album hits on some of the bands hardships; the song Homesick is a prime example, “Hey Mom I wrote you some soft songs, and tell Dad I’m just fine. We had to choose, we made our moves and now we have to go.” The song is a testament of their journeys from being a traveling band over the past couple years.
An instant classic on the end of the album is the song If it Means A Lot To You. It features guest vocals by Sierra Kusterbeck of VersaEmerge. It’s a love letter from a person who is constantly on the road, to a relationship he has back home. It’s really a very heartwarming tale, and worth the listen.
Homesick is most certainly one of my top metal albums, and belongs in your collection if you’re a fan of metal/metalcore music.
P.S. Also, it’s a very good album to show your friends if you want to get them into metal as well.
