It’s only 2009, but there’s already a Blog Tour going on for the 10 Best of the Decade. If you want a great way to catch up on what you’ve missed in the 2000s, then check out the link. I’ll admit it, I’m taking notes as I follow along. Continue reading →
the starting line
9
Dec 08
Based on a True Story (2005) by The Starting Line
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Genre: pop punk |
“Bedroom Talk,” “The B-List,” “Photography,” and “Stay Where I Can See You.”
As the sophomore album on The Starting Line, Based on a True Story was a marked maturation from 2002′s Say It Like You Mean It. The Starting Line hadn’t lost their penchant for upbeat pop, but the lyrics and general ambience of this album are darker than before. As the title attests, much of the lyrical matter seems to come from the personal lives of the members, making this album both an intrusion and a time capsule of where they were when it was recorded. When that knowledge is put in context with the band’s contentious history with Geffen Records at the time, it becomes even more revealing. I still find myself inexplicably drawn to this album even so many years after its release, because of how surprising a change it was from The Starting Line of old.
16
Oct 07
Direction (2007) by The Starting Line
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Genre: pop rock Rating:  ½Check Out: “Something Left To Give,” “Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us,” “Island (Float Away),” “21″  Myspace, Purevolume |
Yet another great album from the band who probably created the term “pop/punk.” As usual, the anthems are soaring and the lyrics are as honest and sardonic as ever. It’s obvious that the band has finally decided there’s no sense in going into rock if they’re so good at pop (you can hear it yourself in “Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us”).
This calm belief in themselves and where they are as a band has resulted in what should be termed the ultimate pop-punk album of the summer. If you’ve been hearing about this band for a while but never actually listened to their music, this is the album for you. If you’ve been a fan of them for a while but lost a little interest with Based on a True Story, this is the album for you. In fact, if you just like pop punk and are embarrassed about it, this is the album that’ll have you supporting it vociferously.
Even though the album leaked in the summer, it’s a pity that it hasn’t been picked up by the radio stations yet. “Island (Float Away)” is truly their most radio-friendly single since “Best Of Me.” Definitely looking forward to what you have in store for the next album, boys.
