Instead of doing an indie rock band this time around, I decided to review a more mainstream band. This issue’s music review is on Motion City Soundtrack’s June 7, 2005 release, Commit This to Memory, a solid album and a great follow-up to their 2003 release, I Am the Movie. Their debut album was much more experimental, but on this release MCS decided to go the mainstream route, but that does not take anything away from the quality of the album. The quintet is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and their sophomore release has a significant increase in the amount of cursing, but the album is great nonetheless; the swearing is not over-done and there are far less swear words in this album then almost any single song heard on HOT 107.9. Produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 on Epitaph Records, this crunchy pop-punk release is pleasing to the ears.
Commit This to Memory opens with “Attractive Today”, a fast-paced but short song that sets the tempo for the album. Listen to this song to determine whether or not you even like Motion City Soundtrack, odds are if you like this song you will like this album, and vice versa.
“Everything is Alright” is what got MTV’s attention, and I can honestly say that I do not blame MTV for liking this song, it’s a great one, but the lyrics could use a little work; “oh please tell me that you’re alright, yeah everything is alright” is repeated over and over multiple times, which gets pretty boring, the song is solid however.
“When You’re Around” is a great song but a bitter one. This song is definitely about one’s strong hatred for another, just listen to the song and you will know what I’m talking about. This song is perfect for any of you that may be feeling a little angry after a break-up.
“Resolution” is about just what the title says; the New Year and resolutions. The song is that of celebration; the music is simple, but the pipes of John Pierre are great.
“Feel Like Rain” starts off slow with a very nice sounding guitar lick (done by Josh Cain), but then it changes into the norm of MCS, crunchy and quick. This is another good song on the album.
I’m not a big fan of “Make Out Kids”, but you might like it. I suppose it’s worth a listen, but the song just isn’t that great.
“Time Turned Fragile” is OK at best, the song is fast for the first and intense for the first three minutes, then a bit mellower for the last minute, and there is a piano, which always adds a nice touch to punk music, in my opinion.
“L.G. Fuad” stands for something that I cannot say in the paper, but the song is great and the lyrics are emotional and moving: “I want to know what it’s like to be awkward and innocent, not belligerent/I want to know how it feels to be useful and pertinent and have common sense.”
“Better Open That Door” sounds just like any other song on the album. “Together We’ll Ring in the New Year” is unlike any other song on the album; it is slow and melodic the entire time and Pierre’s singing is at its best.
“Hangman” is a rather depressing song; it seems that the person in the song has very low self-esteem and hates their life, so I guess that could apply to some people. “Hold Me Down” is the album’s longest song, just over five minutes long. For the most part, the song is on the gentle side, but there are a few parts where the tempo and intensity pick up, then it calms back down.
All in all, Motion City Soundtrack’s 2nd release, Commit This to Memory is a solid album. If you like Fall Out Boy, The Academy Is, or Panic! At the Disco, odds are you will find Motion City Soundtrack at least somewhat entertaining. The band is entertaining, but they need to change their songs up once in a while, or else everything starts to run together.
