Review Summary: i'll take my chances with the rain
Throughout their decade-and-a-half long career, Bayside have been nothing if not consistent. Across 3 different record labels and a self-produced EP of covers, the band has dialed in their sound and matured it in ways that show the band moving forward, but not making any changes drastic enough to alienate their very loyal “cult” of fans. Just a hair above playing it safe.
Acoustic Volume 2 throws a big wrench into that. Over the past 2 years, both lead singer/rhythm guitarist Anthony Raneri and lead guitarist Jack O’Shea have left the 5 boroughs and moved to Nashville, TN – and the effect of that is immediately apparent. While the album does not lean “country” in any way, there’s a refinement and maturity here we simply haven’t seen from the band before. Phenomenally clean production with big, shimmering open chords and some real variation and creativity with the percussion. Everything is just a little slower, a little softer, and more dynamic and textured in ways that actually lets their songwriting and talent as musicians shine rather than dull or bore.
The album not only does an excellent job of sampling from the last decade of their discography, but also mixes up the interpretations and instruments on each: this is not a chord-for-chord translation to acoustic like the 2006 EP. From the ukelele on “Mary” to the piano on “Landing Feet First”,
Acoustic Volume 2 really sees Bayside expanding their horizons as a band. While these changes surprised me given how faithful the band has been to their sound and formula, what was even more surprising was how much I liked them. 18-year-old me would’ve probably hated this, but 30-year-old me loves it.
