A Loss For Words - The Kids Can't Lose

[Blake Solomon]

A Loss For Words – The Kids Can’t Lose
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: May 12, 2009

Some of the worst tornadoes come out of the blue. Literally. Calm, blue skies are overtaken by death-bringing whirlwinds with little to no warning. It’s these times when schoolchildren find out what happens when you fly over the swing set: sobering death. Farmers haplessly tilling their fields find no magical baseball fields. Instead they are catapulted to the Great Big Baseball Field in the Sky. These moments of misplaced ignorance, while excessively morbid, are perfectly parallel to the sort of mind games A Loss For Words create on their debut full-length The Kids Can’t Lose. Despite fast, summery tempos and wailing choruses, AL4W sneak in some of the most depressing lyrics this side of It Won't Snow Where You're Going. Apparently, Matty Arsenault has been wronged. Not enough to change any of his band’s musical tendencies, but just enough to beat us over the head with lines like, “How the tables turn / You’re the cause of this cancer.” Oof.

The Kids Can’t Lose would be enjoyable without its overly trite lyrics, right? Well hold on there, sport. (I’m good with nicknames!) Following the all too familiar path of pop(ular)-punk, AL4W don’t do a single, solitary, minuscule thing creative or different on this album. It’s even more derivative than my sad life. And that’s saying something! As the feedback clears on opener “Stamp Of Approval,” although “Stamp” may be interchanged at will with each of The Kids Can’t Lose’s 11 songs, we hear lyrics about everyone’s favorite state (California, duh!) and a bridge with some screaming that leads into a “Holy Crap that’s predictable!” climax. Let’s put it this way, in terms of redundancy, the song is two minutes longer than necessary. This moves into “40 Thieves,” named for the 40 riffs they stole from Set Your Goals. (Ed. Note: Oh snap! Can you say that? Shouldn't I, the venerable editor, know the rules for this sort of thing?)

And then there are 9 more songs. Oh wait, there is black sheep “Mt. Saint Joseph,” an acoustic ballad used to, I guess, break up the album. Here we get a direct injection of Arsenault’s angst and I find myself longing for the energetic guitars of Marc Dangora and (awesomely named) Nevada Smith. As I said, they are a fairly interesting buffer between my ears and the broken heart mantras of Arsenault (see: “It was too damn hard to watch / As heaven and hell held you down like anchors / And your demons finally lulled you back to sleep.”) The slow, stagnant nature of this song just plain hurts.

Just so you understand my accreditation: I have a full, grisly beard. Wasn’t this genre created just for me? If I can’t even enjoy the gang vocals or inspirational(?) nature of these songs, who can? (Don’t answer that, a**holes.) Sorry, A Loss For Words, The Kids Can't Lose is completely underwhelming.


(Sorta) Recommended If You Like: Set Your Goals, Man Overboard, being a grump, Four Year Strong, Senile Old Men, lots of other bands


www.myspace.com/alossforwords

[zubinmoosa]

I don't really agree with this...

[blebbio]

I disagree too. I thought this was pretty good.

[hockeyguitar99]

Great review Blake.

[The Summer Ends]

You can't expect much from a product of Mizzou. Terrible review.

This album is great.

[poi]

great review. i laughed at the 40 riffs stolen from set your goals line.

[Heart-A-Tact]

You can't expect much from a product of Mizzou. Terrible review.

This album is great.

Oh, obviously.

[The Summer Ends]

Oh, obviously.
I go to KU, so I was just being a jerk for comical reasons.

[Blake Solomon]

You can't expect much from a product of Mizzou. Terrible review.

This album is great.
I can't even read what I wrote because my school sucks!! Thank god I graduated with a degree in Play-Doh engineering!

[The Summer Ends]

I can't even read what I wrote because my school sucks!! Thank god I graduated with a degree in Play-Doh engineering!
Hahahahaha

In 100% sincerity though, congrats on graduating.

[macabre]

These guys were really cool when they come through and they put on an energetic live show. However, I expected a lot more from this record. It seemed a bit safe for them and I didn't like how it was marketed toward a high school audience.

[iTransylvanian]

Totally disagree.

[Bruycker]

that was a bloody honest review haha. And I can't disagree

[hiya]

at least your honest, and kind of funny, although I can't believe you liked the NSN ep 2 times better than this. imo AL4W put out a pretty solid album, might not be your cup of tea, but no need to rip on it so much.

[Tribute2Ben89]

I have been listening to this album pretty regularly. It may not offer a whole lot of new things, but I think they outdo most pop punk bands with this album. I'm also a fan of the acoustic EP.

[Big_Guy]

yeah, they aren't reinventing the wheel or anything, but I thought this was pretty solid.

[Blake Solomon]

Hahahahaha

In 100% sincerity though, congrats on graduating.
thanks man, much appresh

[superBMRuth]

i like the cover art, but yeah, this album did nothing for me. big ups for the SYG line, that was pretty funny.

[Alex DiVincenzo]

Ouch! I dig this band a lot, but they're local guys so I'm biased. Still think it deserves way higher, but that's just me.

[Blake Solomon]

Ouch! I dig this band a lot, but they're local guys so I'm biased. Still think it deserves way higher, but that's just me.
ALEX! Now that you're red, you have to make it seem like we're a united front. If I hate something, you have to hate it, too. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD???


(probably should have put this in a PM)

[Alex DiVincenzo]

ALEX! Now that you're red, you have to make it seem like we're a united front. If I hate something, you have to hate it, too. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD???


(probably should have put this in a PM)
Did I say higher? I meant it deserves the exact score you gave it!

(staff 4 lyf)

[MorningStar10]

Ha entertaining review, its an ok album but true completely unoriginal and uncreative. I will stick to four year strong and look forward to new Set Your Goals, thank you.

[popdisaster00]

Haha i just downloaded this and haven't listened yet. I still will though.

[trebmal]

Ouch! I dig this band a lot, but they're local guys so I'm biased. Still think it deserves way higher, but that's just me.
Agreed. I was shocked it got that low of a score... I figured they'd be loved here... much like Four Year Strong, and Transit.

[mynameisgeneric]

I did think this album was a bit repetitive, but at the same time totally not deserving of such a low score

[futurebreed]

One of the worst reviews I've ever read on this site.

Blake making fun of heart-felt lyrics in Mount St. Joseph that pay tribute to a friend who passed away is pathetic and makes Blake deserving of getting kicked in his rather large vagina.

[Adam_was_Here]

thank you for saying this! i dont understand a few things about this band:

1) how people like them, especially in MA. they have hardcore kids come out to the show and you expect one thing, but then you get shitty pop punk instead of hardcore. (not that pop punk is a bad genre, cause its not. ALFW is just a bad band)

2) how they are JUST NOW releasing a full length after being a band since fucking '99. WHY HAVENT THEY BROKEN UP YET?

not a fan. sorry guys. not a hater, just being honest here. not my kind of band.

[TSLROCKS]

Agreed on this review. Album is awful

[Greg.Kushlan]

I think I'm burned out on all of the new pop punk stuff. I haven't gotten around to listening to the entire album but the songs I heard I didn't really care for, it kinda sounded like a FYS cover band.

[therookielot]

There is no way this album is that bad.

[Glenthegay]

AL4W are ALOT better than FYS.
Having said that, if FYS hadn't mentioned AL4W in an interview.. i would never of heard of them.

[alexcreate]

i'd rather listen to this shit compared to set your gays

[imtellingseb]

A very good and entertaining review like always Blake! However, I must say I really like this album! Definitely not the most well written or original album around, but I find all the songs catchy, except for Mount St Joseph, thats a really crappy track..

[ZachMadeMeOdd]

You were completely wrong about this. Then again, it was a Soloman review so I should have expected it to be a bashing.

[splitsecond]

wow blake, this was really uncalled for.

[shika]

this album is decent sorry bad review

[shika]

i'd rather listen to this shit compared to set your gays
shut up

[delvec19]

i like this cd

[splitsecond]

Sometimes I do not understand how this site operates. Blake gets to rip apart a band who works their ass off and are genuinely nice dudes, while guys like Joe get to suck off flavor of the week bands who put out the most meaningless and empty pop diarrhea.

Is this album predictable? Well yes to an extent. But it is pop punk, that is part of the allure of the genre. If you don't like pop punk, don't review pop punk records. This album is leaps and bounds better than the 1/2 album 1/2 filler record that Set Your Goals put out last, and better than most of the pop punk records released so far this year.

These guys don't have a label, and are doing everything they do true DIY style, and to shit on them because you apparently don't like pop punk is fucked up. And you know I normally like Blake reviews. But a little more thought needs to be put into whether you are doing the right thing by reviewing a record, because this was really uncalled for. These guys are not The Maine and certainly do not deserve to be shit on like they are less genuine and less talented than a band like that.

And yes, this post is way out of character for me, so that should say something.

[tommy413]

Terrible album

[splitsecond]

thank you for saying this! i dont understand a few things about this band:

1) how people like them, especially in MA. they have hardcore kids come out to the show and you expect one thing, but then you get shitty pop punk instead of hardcore. (not that pop punk is a bad genre, cause its not. ALFW is just a bad band)

2) how they are JUST NOW releasing a full length after being a band since fucking '99. WHY HAVENT THEY BROKEN UP YET?

not a fan. sorry guys. not a hater, just being honest here. not my kind of band.
sounds to me like you are a hater. not enough breakdowns for you bro?

[GetWellBoss]

I felt like i just read a review from a high school newspaper.(Editorial note:Oh wait can I say that? Apparently if I put a lot of parenthesis it's all good.) I just feel that this review could have flowed a little bit better. I did like how you started off the review though. It brought the reader in with the analogy and then went straight into the album. The only other thing that bothered me was the "accredidation" you did. While I feel it's important for the reader to know about you as the album reviewer, I just felt that this was in excess and somewhat of a waste.(Kind of like when you had to wrie a 300 word essay in middle school so you counted every word, even your name.Oh wait, now I'm using that damn parenthesis again. shit)

I dont think this album was THAT bad. I think it was a decent pop-punk album. While I agree with some of your points, I feel that you didn't give this album a fair chance and were just writing this way to either a) get a rise out of people or b) to be some sort of music elitist. But with that being said, it was your review and your opinion, so I respect that. I just disagree with it.

[RidingWithDeath]

Sometimes I do not understand how this site operates. Blake gets to rip apart a band who works their ass off and are genuinely nice dudes, while guys like Joe get to suck off flavor of the week bands who put out the most meaningless and empty pop diarrhea.

Is this album predictable? Well yes to an extent. But it is pop punk, that is part of the allure of the genre. If you don't like pop punk, don't review pop punk records. This album is leaps and bounds better than the 1/2 album 1/2 filler record that Set Your Goals put out last, and better than most of the pop punk records released so far this year.

These guys don't have a label, and are doing everything they do true DIY style, and to shit on them because you apparently don't like pop punk is fucked up. And you know I normally like Blake reviews. But a little more thought needs to be put into whether you are doing the right thing by reviewing a record, because this was really uncalled for. These guys are not The Maine and certainly do not deserve to be shit on like they are less genuine and less talented than a band like that.

And yes, this post is way out of character for me, so that should say something.
:yawn:

congrats to them for being great dudes and mad "diy", but that doesn't make this album great by any means. I agree with the review, i think the album is pretty weak. Pop punk is flooded with every and anyone who thinks they can write a fucking hit. It's not a biased review, so I don't see the reason to take it so personal (as you cleared did in your reply). Write your own review that PRAISES the shit out of the record, so people get another view.

yup.

[splitsecond]

:yawn:

congrats to them for being great dudes and mad "diy", but that doesn't make this album great by any means. I agree with the review, i think the album is pretty weak. Pop punk is flooded with every and anyone who thinks they can write a fucking hit. It's not a biased review, so I don't see the reason to take it so personal (as you cleared did in your reply). Write your own review that PRAISES the shit out of the record, so people get another view.

yup.
I wouldn't praise the shit out of this album at all, but I wouldn't go out of my way to attack the record the way Blake did. It doesn't come off like he hates the record, it comes off like he hates the genre, which means he has no business writing a review for a pop punk record.

And every genre is saturated. You can thank myspace for that.

[lightcollapse]

Record is average but nothing worse, disagree with this review. At least they have the right idea in mind for this genre.

[calciumwaste]

i haven't been able to get in to any of their releases prior to this, but i love this record. i'm really surprised to see it getting a bad review on here.

[ImOnFire54321]

This record isn't anything special, but it is a solid pop-punk record. These guys seem to have a lot more energy then most pop-punk bands out today. Can't really agree with this review. Definitely deserved at least double what they got. Also coming from a reviewer the Dangerous Summer a 95% and a creativity of a 9. Dudes did nothing that The Graduate and The Starting Line haven't done.

[RidingWithDeath]

I wouldn't praise the shit out of this album at all, but I wouldn't go out of my way to attack the record the way Blake did. It doesn't come off like he hates the record, it comes off like he hates the genre, which means he has no business writing a review for a pop punk record.

And every genre is saturated. You can thank myspace for that.
I thank myspace and every rich/overly privileged kid who thinks they deserve their time in the spotlight. Everyone wants to be a rock star, ya know.

I'm not a huge pop punk fan either, so I don't have much to say on the album. Just not my cup of tea, if you know what I mean.

I agree, every genre is fucked from here on out. At least people will have fun picking out which bands are "original" and which are "totally lame by comparison" and we'll have something to chat about...

[Glenthegay]

Listen to their acoustic EP..
They know how to write decent music..
In fact.. I'd like to hear more stuff like 'Mount St. Joseph' from AL4W..
Their songs have meaning..
Blake clearly cant find that meaning and therefore had to rip it apart..
He was clearly hoping to get a few laughs.. but it's not really funny =/

[kingd615]

These dudes work really hard and tour their asses off. I think from what I've heard that this album is definitely a step forward and although they may not have re-invented the wheel as long as people can put it on and honestly enjoy it, they have done something worthwhile.

[Blake Solomon]

Sometimes I do not understand how this site operates. Blake gets to rip apart a band who works their ass off and are genuinely nice dudes, while guys like Joe get to suck off flavor of the week bands who put out the most meaningless and empty pop diarrhea.

Is this album predictable? Well yes to an extent. But it is pop punk, that is part of the allure of the genre. If you don't like pop punk, don't review pop punk records. This album is leaps and bounds better than the 1/2 album 1/2 filler record that Set Your Goals put out last, and better than most of the pop punk records released so far this year.

These guys don't have a label, and are doing everything they do true DIY style, and to shit on them because you apparently don't like pop punk is fucked up. And you know I normally like Blake reviews. But a little more thought needs to be put into whether you are doing the right thing by reviewing a record, because this was really uncalled for. These guys are not The Maine and certainly do not deserve to be shit on like they are less genuine and less talented than a band like that.

And yes, this post is way out of character for me, so that should say something.

I wouldn't think you would do the whole "they are nice and work hard" bit, because we both know that doesn't translate into success. Sometimes it should, but it doesn't. The site operates like this because it's one person's solitary opinion. I'm not claiming that this is anybody's but my opinion. Despite my joke with Alex at the top of the page, he's more than entitled to voice his opinion in this thread if he loves these guys. Same goes with anybody else.

I thought this album was derivative and boring, and exceedingly bad lyrically. That is most certainly not the allure of pop-punk. So I wrote some lighthearted jokes. I didn't condemn them to hell or spit on their mothers or anything. I didn't like it and that happens from time to time.

I respect you as a positive force on these message boards, and after seeing you post for a few years now, I do understand the gravity of you making a post like this. I obviously hit a nerve, which is fine, I don't regret that. But I can also see where you're coming from. So it's too bad we disagree and maybe one day down the road (or in the past, like in the Dangerous Summer review) we can find something to like....together...as lovers.

[Jason Tate]

This album isn't very good ... but man does Blake know how to stir up an argument. Figure I should read it after all the emails I got - haha.

[whenyourearound]

Although I respect Blake's opinion in this here review, I completely disagree. AL4W may just be a simple pop-punk band, but they don't deserve to be shit on since they do it better than a ton of other bands out there. Most of these tracks are catchy and worth listening to, and not just the one or two that Blake decided to listen to and rip apart. IMO, Hold Your Breath is the standout track on this album. Also, I don't think that they're just some shitty pop-punk band since Anthony from Bayside recommended them on his blog...because he is a god and everything. :rolleyes:

[Scott Weber]

Sometimes I do not understand how this site operates. Blake gets to rip apart a band who works their ass off and are genuinely nice dudes, while guys like Joe get to suck off flavor of the week bands who put out the most meaningless and empty pop diarrhea.

Is this album predictable? Well yes to an extent. But it is pop punk, that is part of the allure of the genre. If you don't like pop punk, don't review pop punk records. This album is leaps and bounds better than the 1/2 album 1/2 filler record that Set Your Goals put out last, and better than most of the pop punk records released so far this year.

These guys don't have a label, and are doing everything they do true DIY style, and to shit on them because you apparently don't like pop punk is fucked up. And you know I normally like Blake reviews. But a little more thought needs to be put into whether you are doing the right thing by reviewing a record, because this was really uncalled for. These guys are not The Maine and certainly do not deserve to be shit on like they are less genuine and less talented than a band like that.

And yes, this post is way out of character for me, so that should say something.
What does the band's personality have to do with anything? What does their work ethic have to do with a thing? This is an album review, not a performance review. I don't see movie reviewers cutting Hugh Jackman a break with their Wolverine reviews because he's a nice dude and works hard.

I am so sick of reading comments from users defending their buddies or a band for who they are as people. It's an opinion. If the album sucks, it sucks - so say it like it is. Whether they're DIY, signed to Hopeless or Fat Wreck - this is an opinion on the product they chose to release. And that's that.

And it sucks. You can make pop-punk without sounding like everybody else, and you can make pop-punk that sounds like everyone else but still stand out. A Loss for Words does neither.

[VeloriumCamper]

i disagree. this is a solid album. it's nothing groundbreaking obviously, but it's a good pop-punk album. good for the summer

[murphyW]

good album. review is true and honest, a lot of pop-punk is the same, but I fuckin love it and this album so yo to each their own.

[billy_yo]

do not agree at all.
this cd is great
AL4W are nicest and hardest working dudes ive ever met

[futurebreed]

As much as I don't agree with this review and have stated my own discontent to the content of the review (which Blake replied in another thread), I really don't get why people are bringing up the good character and DIY ethic of AL4W. Sure, they are awesome guys, I agree, and some of the hardest-working guys I've known. But I've seen other bands with that same element, and I have not liked their material no matter how hard they've tried. I don't think Blake once called out the character of the members of AL4W at all.

I do have to say that as far as lyrical content, this album is leaps and bounds above anything else that AL4W has written. The "screaming" part of the first song is guest vocals from Sweet Pete of In My Eyes, one of the most influential of straight edge hardcore bands in Boston. If you don't like that, then cool, don't listen to In My Eyes. But that section right there is not A Loss For Words. In general, that first song is out-of-character for the band. Songs 4, 6, 7, and 8 are their strongest songs I think the band has written. The lyrical content of the last songs (9, 10, 11) are not as compelling as earlier in the album because those are older songs which were re-recorded.

That being said, Blake.... at least PROOFREAD your review before you post it. If you're going to be a staffer, at least write like one.
"Hear we get a direct..."
Wait, hear? Hear? Not here? *facepalm*

[bayb2421]

I thought this album was really good, minus the songs they decided to amp up from previous recordings that I think were better before. But all together I've been listening to The Kids Can't Lose non-stop for the past few weeks. Love this band, one of the better live performances out there, and I pretty much disagreed with this entire review, awesome album, everyone should pick up a copy.

[Blake Solomon]

As much as I don't agree with this review and have stated my own discontent to the content of the review (which Blake replied in another thread), I really don't get why people are bringing up the good character and DIY ethic of AL4W. Sure, they are awesome guys, I agree, and some of the hardest-working guys I've known. But I've seen other bands with that same element, and I have not liked their material no matter how hard they've tried. I don't think Blake once called out the character of the members of AL4W at all.

I do have to say that as far as lyrical content, this album is leaps and bounds above anything else that AL4W has written. The "screaming" part of the first song is guest vocals from Sweet Pete of In My Eyes, one of the most influential of straight edge hardcore bands in Boston. If you don't like that, then cool, don't listen to In My Eyes. But that section right there is not A Loss For Words. In general, that first song is out-of-character for the band. Songs 4, 6, 7, and 8 are their strongest songs I think the band has written. The lyrical content of the last songs (9, 10, 11) are not as compelling as earlier in the album because those are older songs which were re-recorded.

That being said, Blake.... at least PROOFREAD your review before you post it. If you're going to be a staffer, at least write like one.
"Hear we get a direct..."
Wait, hear? Hear? Not here? *facepalm*
it was a play on words!!!!!


Fuck, fine, you caught a typo.

[futurebreed]

dirka dirk

[lassise]

I just turned it on, I disagree with the review, I like their sound. Obviously its nothing new, but for what its worth, I like it.

[ThisIsNotDan]

opinions are opinions, not like I'm gonna fault you for that. but of all things to criticize a pop-punk record for, you're going to criticize them for being derivative and generic? that's like criticizing a rapper for swearing on their albums.

and the album is good I think. nothing amazing, but I'd rather listen to this than say...Hit The Lights or All Time Low.

[FailureWithinMe]

It's almost like Blake is trying to get back at Matty A for stealing his girl or something. Jeez man, take it easy. You may not like the album, but there's no need to beat it into the ground the way this review does. I'll agree that a lot of the lyrics are pretty terrible, but I thought that they put out a pretty decent album here.

[joshuagilbert]

it's too bad when you hear about how hard working a band is and how nice they are and you want to like them, but they're not doing anything worth while.

maybe next time around they'll do something better (and less cheesy).

ps they're not that bad. i'd go watch them if they came to town.

[FailureWithinMe]

wow blake, this was really uncalled for.
Couldn't agree more.

[Noah Fawkes]

opinions are opinions, not like I'm gonna fault you for that. but of all things to criticize a pop-punk record for, you're going to criticize them for being derivative and generic? that's like criticizing a rapper for swearing on their albums.

and the album is good I think. nothing amazing, but I'd rather listen to this than say...Hit The Lights or All Time Low.
Agreed. It's awkward to me how much I'm finding myself disagreeing with the reviews I read here. It's not just AL4W or TBS. Oh well. Yeah this is way better than anything All Time Low has ever done. Yeah I'll give this album a shot. Never have listened to them but some friends are all over them and claiming this are their album of the summer and shit. Mine is NA but yeah, I'm really liking what I'm listening in their myspace.


It's almost like Blake is trying to get back at Matty A for stealing his girl or something. Jeez man, take it easy. You may not like the album, but there's no need to beat it into the ground the way this review does. I'll agree that a lot of the lyrics are pretty terrible, but I thought that they put out a pretty decent album here.

And that's the feeling I get from Fallon's review in the new TBS album. Finally someone described how it feels. I really REALLY don't get this website sometimes. Make it most of the times, actually.


This record isn't anything special, but it is a solid pop-punk record. These guys seem to have a lot more energy then most pop-punk bands out today. Can't really agree with this review. Definitely deserved at least double what they got. Also coming from a reviewer the Dangerous Summer a 95% and a creativity of a 9. Dudes did nothing that The Graduate and The Starting Line haven't done.
I actually can't stand listening one full song by TDS in that album. How the hell this is worse than TDS is really beyond me. But yeah, opinions are opinions. But I'm finding myself disagreeing with most of the website's opinions recently.

[chrisbegley]

I haven't listened to the album yet but have heard mix things outside of this thread.
i thought WL was a pretty good acoustic album though(though, I know that's neither here or there)
=/

[tommylin]

screw this review. this album is great and has alot of meaning to it. al4w is an awesome band that deserves recognition.

[Noah Fawkes]

I wouldn't think you would do the whole "they are nice and work hard" bit, because we both know that doesn't translate into success. Sometimes it should, but it doesn't. The site operates like this because it's one person's solitary opinion. I'm not claiming that this is anybody's but my opinion. Despite my joke with Alex at the top of the page, he's more than entitled to voice his opinion in this thread if he loves these guys. Same goes with anybody else.

I thought this album was derivative and boring, and exceedingly bad lyrically. That is most certainly not the allure of pop-punk. So I wrote some lighthearted jokes. I didn't condemn them to hell or spit on their mothers or anything. I didn't like it and that happens from time to time.

I respect you as a positive force on these message boards, and after seeing you post for a few years now, I do understand the gravity of you making a post like this. I obviously hit a nerve, which is fine, I don't regret that. But I can also see where you're coming from. So it's too bad we disagree and maybe one day down the road (or in the past, like in the Dangerous Summer review) we can find something to like....together...as lovers.

Having said that, I really like how Blake justified his review. It's actually the attitude I really wish to see here more often from the staff members and some users. A calm, down to earth explanation. I think Blake is my new favorite staff member, actually. Really awkward that this happened with a review that I disagree with.

[boston1286gil]

Really thought this album was sick. Sounds like blake either got his ass kicked or had his girlfriend f*cked by one or all of the members of AL4W. Great band and great cd in my opinion.

[Jason Tate]

Why do people assume there is a person vendetta whenever someone doesn't like an album? That's pretty ridiculous. Do you have a personal vendetta against all the musicians you dislike? Come on.

[GetWellBoss]

I actually can't stand listening one full song by TDS in that album. How the hell this is worse than TDS is really beyond me. But yeah, opinions are opinions. But I'm finding myself disagreeing with most of the website's opinions recently.

See that is what's hard about this review. A 95% on Drama Summer? I disagreed with rating that too. WAY better lyrics on that album though, so maybe Blake really holds that part close to heart. But I just dont feel these are accurate. Maybe it's because something is trying to be sold more than the other. No clue.

Also with regards to what others have said, just because they are good people doesn't mean they should get a good review. This is a review of the album not the band members and how "good" they are like others have commented. So I'm glad Blake stuck with his guns there.

Oh..what is NA? I guess I'm out of the loop on bands.

[etomicsean]

I'm not sure I understand why people are so mad at Blake for giving an album a bad review. These dudes are friends of mine and down to earth dudes. They've been at this long enough to know that a bad review is not the end of the world. They're going to keep doing what they love doing. Haven't you ever liked a movie that was given a bad review? Just take it for what it is...one person's opinion. They speak for no one except themselves.

Hell Blake (or whoever reviews it) will probably rip our new EP apart.

[GetWellBoss]

Why do people assume there is a person vendetta whenever someone doesn't like an album? That's pretty ridiculous. Do you have a personal vendetta against all the musicians you dislike? Come on.
yes. yes i do. :-)

[Noah Fawkes]

Why do people assume there is a person vendetta whenever someone doesn't like an album? That's pretty ridiculous. Do you have a personal vendetta against all the musicians you dislike? Come on.
Since you mentioned...


Re: Dude, can you just explain something to me?Mark as Unread | Delete
To: Jason Tate

Noah Fawkes
...ain’t nothing stopping me now.
Posts: 226 | Joined: May 2009 | More 11:22 AM (06/05/09)
Online
I was actually making what I think that are some pretty valid posts on the Taking Back Sunday boards. Now I'm blocked from all of them. I admmit that I went overboard in the Fallon's thread and I was really pissed about what you were saying in the TBS's Official thread. I admit I was overreacting. And for admmiting that, I never asked for explanations for me being blocked there. But honestly, can you just take a look at was saying in the Taking Back Sunday - New Again thread right now? I've been blocked for what? Being positive about an album most of staff members don't like OR for making valid points that even people that don't like that much of the album were agreeing with?

The thread in question is this one:
http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.p...000302&page=86


If you don't want people thinking this website is biased, you really should avoid this kind of behavior, mate. Shutting down people for being positive and coherent about what they're saying equals not good. Even if you can't agree with my opinions. Just saying.

How the hell some people here seem to enjoy more The Dangerous Summer than TBS or AL4W is really, really beyond me. But I actually think that Blake just spoke his mind about how he sees this album. You or the staff blocking me for actually making valid points about an album that you don't like? Yeah, that comes out as something very childish, lame and biased. But isn't like nobody knows that.

[Noah Fawkes]

See that is what's hard about this review. A 95% on Drama Summer? I disagreed with rating that too. WAY better lyrics on that album though, so maybe Blake really holds that part close to heart. But I just dont feel these are accurate. Maybe it's because something is trying to be sold more than the other. No clue.

Also with regards to what others have said, just because they are good people doesn't mean they should get a good review. This is a review of the album not the band members and how "good" they are like others have commented. So I'm glad Blake stuck with his guns there.

Oh..what is NA? I guess I'm out of the loop on bands.
Taking Back Sunday's New Again. But don't mention it loud or the staff members will block you. I actually love the album. The problem is since Jason hates it, he's looking for excuses to banning me. I actually got a warning for just saying that. Serious shit.

[FailureWithinMe]

Why do people assume there is a person vendetta whenever someone doesn't like an album? That's pretty ridiculous. Do you have a personal vendetta against all the musicians you dislike? Come on.
It's one thing to write a bad review of an album. It's a completely different thing to continuously and unecessarily trash on the album for as long as Blake did. I don't care about him not liking the album. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. What strikes me as a little much are the drawn out insults and low blows to the band littered throughout the review. It just seems like he went into it already biased against them for some reason.

[Jason Tate]

It's one thing to write a bad review of an album. It's a completely different thing to continuously and unecessarily trash on the album for as long as Blake did. I don't care about him not liking the album. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. What strikes me as a little much are the drawn out insults and low blows to the band littered throughout the review. It just seems like he went into it already biased against them for some reason.
3.5 paragraphs is hardly "continuously and unnecessarily trash(ing) on the album."

[Scott Weber]

It's one thing to write a bad review of an album. It's a completely different thing to continuously and unecessarily trash on the album for as long as Blake did. I don't care about him not liking the album. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. What strikes me as a little much are the drawn out insults and low blows to the band littered throughout the review. It just seems like he went into it already biased against them for some reason.
The only reason you feel that way is likely because you like the band. There were no low blows.

[Jason Tate]

Taking Back Sunday's New Again. But don't mention it loud or the staff members will block you. I actually love the album. The problem is since Jason hates it, he's looking for excuses to banning me. I actually got a warning for just saying that. Serious shit.
Dude, no wonder you got kicked out of other threads - holy hell are you annoying.

[Noah Fawkes]

3.5 paragraphs is hardly "continuously and unnecessarily trash(ing) on the album."
Can you explain to me why I've got a 5 points warning? For actually saying that I love TBS's New Again? What am I now? The blair's witch or something? Please, how retarded is this?

[shotguns]

What a change.
I remember when Mr Tate banned "negative reviews" because they would only "discourage people from getting into new music". I don't blame him, I'd probably do the same if 10 angry dudes called me every day about reviews, drama etc.

But it's nice to see that you can actually be honest about a record now. I've been using this account since december, and my last 3-4 acconts over the last 7 or so years got banned within 10 posts for absolutely ridiculous reasons, so it's nice to see that this place is actually semi-real now.

Btw, to be on-topic, I agree about this band. You don't automatically HAVE TO like a band just because "the lead singer is a cool dude".

[queenofcrouton]

What does the band's personality have to do with anything? What does their work ethic have to do with a thing? This is an album review, not a performance review. I don't see movie reviewers cutting Hugh Jackman a break with their Wolverine reviews because he's a nice dude and works hard.

I am so sick of reading comments from users defending their buddies or a band for who they are as people. It's an opinion. If the album sucks, it sucks - so say it like it is. Whether they're DIY, signed to Hopeless or Fat Wreck - this is an opinion on the product they chose to release. And that's that.
Exactly. Being "nice guys" didn't get them praise here, and I'm glad to finally see that.

[Noah Fawkes]

Dude, no wonder you got kicked out of other threads - holy hell are you annoying.
I've got a warning from nothing, matey. What I think it's annoying it's your biased retarded vendetta against bands, because don't matter how the way you put it, you're a biased bastard.

[Jason Tate]

What a change.
I remember when Mr Tate banned "negative reviews" because they would only "discourage people from getting into new music". I don't blame him, I'd probably do the same if 10 angry dudes called me every day about reviews, drama etc.
Never once were negative reviews banned. Ever. To imply otherwise is simply factually incorrect.

But it's nice to see that you can actually be honest about a record now. I've been using this account since december, and my last 3-4 acconts over the last 7 or so years got banned within 10 posts for absolutely ridiculous reasons, so it's nice to see that this place is actually semi-real now.
Well, you just got yourself re-banned for creating a new account when you should be banned.

Can you explain to me why I've got a 5 points warning? For actually saying that I love TBS's New Again? What am I now? The blair's witch or something? Please, how retarded is this?
We don't discuss moderation decisions in a public forum. Nor were you given warnings for saying you love an album.

[Jason Tate]

I've got a warning from nothing, matey. What I think it's annoying it's your biased retarded vendetta against bands, because don't matter how the way you put it, you're a biased bastard.
You can't get a warning for nothing - it's technically impossible to do. I have no vendetta against bands. Nor do I like your use of "retarded" as an insult. Bias is a fact of life. You can't like something without knowing what you don't like -- which is another phrasing of "bias."

I have no fucking clue why you keep bringing up Taking Back Sunday in every thread you're in. But I'm tired of it. I've gone out of my way to not talk about that band - or mention them anywhere. And you can't let it go. Fucking A.

[shotguns]

They weren't? Ehmm.. Ok. Turns out I was completly and utterly wrong about everything. Go ahead, ban me.

[futurebreed]

Haha wow, you guys actually just deleted my post? People asked for other opinions so I posted one. AbsolutePunk has been a destination of mine for 7 years, and you're making the douche-est moves today that I've ever seen

[Jason Tate]

Haha wow, you guys actually just deleted my post? People asked for other opinions so I posted one. AbsolutePunk has been a destination of mine for 7 years, and you're making the douche-est moves today that I've ever seen
We have never allowed spamming of links in our comments sections. Pretty simple.

[FailureWithinMe]

3.5 paragraphs is hardly "continuously and unnecessarily trash(ing) on the album."
It's not how long the review is, it's the content of what was in those 3.5 paragraphs that just seemed a little over the top to me.

[futurebreed]

We have never allowed spamming of links in our comments sections. Pretty simple.
Yet I've been allowed to post links to photography for years without issue.

I call BS and say you are covering up an alternative opinion contrary to your site's agenda. You couldn't just edit out the link since obviously I had a lot of things to say other than the link in there. Pathetic, Jason. Pathetic.

[Blake Solomon]

The only reason you feel that way is likely because you like the band. There were no low blows.
i leave the "low blows" to myself. I made fun of my completely uninteresting life and the fact that i have gross facial hair. Also, the fact that i paid attention in 8th grade science class. How else would I know about tornadoes?!

[Blake Solomon]

Haha wow, you guys actually just deleted my post? People asked for other opinions so I posted one. AbsolutePunk has been a destination of mine for 7 years, and you're making the douche-est moves today that I've ever seen
it's because of the link to another site, not because we're douches. I'm a douche, yes, but "we're" not douches!

[Jason Tate]

It's not how long the review is, it's the content of what was in those 3.5 paragraphs that just seemed a little over the top to me.
I disagree. Especially with how you phrased your post.

Yet I've been allowed to post links to photography for years without issue.
I've never seen it. If you were spamming threads in this manner with links to your photography, I would have deleted them as well.

I call BS and say you are covering up an alternative opinion contrary to your site's agenda.
My site has no agenda. Spamming our comments with links to other websites has always been against the rules - and the posts deleted. Always. Don't know what the big deal is here.

You couldn't just edit out the link since obviously I had a lot of things to say other than the link in there. Pathetic, Jason. Pathetic.
All you had to say was about how people should read your review instead - and then a link. It's spam. We delete those kinds of posts. We're not going to turn into youtube comments here.

[GetWellBoss]

holy drama thread. haha.

[FailureWithinMe]

The only reason you feel that way is likely because you like the band. There were no low blows.
You're right, I do like the band. And its true that I am probably just offended by the review because of this reason.

"And then there are 9 more songs. Oh wait, there is black sheep “Mt. Saint Joseph,” an acoustic ballad used to, I guess, break up the album. Here we get a direct injection of Arsenault’s angst and I find myself longing for the energetic guitars of Marc Dangora and (awesomely named) Nevada Smith. As I said, they are a fairly interesting buffer between my ears and the broken heart mantras of Arsenault (see: “It was too damn hard to watch / As heaven and hell held you down like anchors / And your demons finally lulled you back to sleep.”) The slow, stagnant nature of this song just plain hurts."

For the record, "Mt. Saint Joseph" is about a friend of the band that passed away due to drug abuse. I guess that paragraph isn't a low blow, though, huh?

[splitsecond]

I wouldn't think you would do the whole "they are nice and work hard" bit, because we both know that doesn't translate into success. Sometimes it should, but it doesn't. The site operates like this because it's one person's solitary opinion. I'm not claiming that this is anybody's but my opinion. Despite my joke with Alex at the top of the page, he's more than entitled to voice his opinion in this thread if he loves these guys. Same goes with anybody else.

I thought this album was derivative and boring, and exceedingly bad lyrically. That is most certainly not the allure of pop-punk. So I wrote some lighthearted jokes. I didn't condemn them to hell or spit on their mothers or anything. I didn't like it and that happens from time to time.

I respect you as a positive force on these message boards, and after seeing you post for a few years now, I do understand the gravity of you making a post like this. I obviously hit a nerve, which is fine, I don't regret that. But I can also see where you're coming from. So it's too bad we disagree and maybe one day down the road (or in the past, like in the Dangerous Summer review) we can find something to like....together...as lovers.

Look I do not think this is a perfect album by any means, and I would not have even posted here if A) I didn't legitimately enjoy the record and B) have the chance to play with these guys last night, and watch the singer go out of his way to talk to and give props to every single other band and band member there, as well as make everyone who came out to the show feel appreciated. That is something SEVERELY lacking in the music scene now, that used to exist when I first started getting into the "scene" music years ago. I think Danny Casler has said it about a lot of bands, but when you meet someone and see what they are like, you "get" what they are doing a lot better, and it becomes a better product because of it. I guess that's the case for me here.

Pop Punk in general is generic and derivative. I just think it is funny that 2 years ago almost every staff member was on the jock of FYS like they were the second coming of Vinnie himself, and this band, who is extremely similar, and very good friends with the FYS boys, gets shit on in a review. Even Drew wasn't this hard on Aiden, and I think almost everyone here can agree they are infinitely worse than this band. In a scene where a lot of shit music made by shittier dudes gets pimped, doesn't at least seem a little irresponsible to go THIS hard on a band that at worst is making something generic, but making it passionately?

Lastly, as far as your review goes, I have seen you call lyrics trite on at least one other occasion and it baffled me then as well. Yeah, lyrics can be trite, but honestly, life is fucking trite sometimes. As someone who has written lyrics, if a song is written to convey a message - and perhaps to convey a message to one singular person - sometimes triteness is the best way to get that across. To top that off, songs should be written for the listener - not the band, not the reviewer, and not the intellectual poetry afficionado. I think triteness is something that a lot of listeners appreciate and identify with - and to assume it is automatically negative ALL the time kind of turns a deaf ear on the general listening population.


What does the band's personality have to do with anything? What does their work ethic have to do with a thing? This is an album review, not a performance review. I don't see movie reviewers cutting Hugh Jackman a break with their Wolverine reviews because he's a nice dude and works hard.

I am so sick of reading comments from users defending their buddies or a band for who they are as people. It's an opinion. If the album sucks, it sucks - so say it like it is. Whether they're DIY, signed to Hopeless or Fat Wreck - this is an opinion on the product they chose to release. And that's that.

And it sucks. You can make pop-punk without sounding like everybody else, and you can make pop-punk that sounds like everyone else but still stand out. A Loss for Words does neither.

Work ethic is important in every facet of life. We praise it from athletes and other professionals, and we should praise it in musicians. A complete lack of heart is one of the biggest problems in this country as a whole. Doesn't necessarily change album originality or content, but to me if someone is busting their ass, and is a genuinely good person, you don't shit on their accomplishments. I also don't think the movie comparison is fair, because actors make a shit ton more movies than bands make records. One movie getting shit on doesn't ruin someone's career, but one album getting destroyed by an important media source can be a setback for a band who doesn't have the support of a label or a major publicity and pr firm.

As much as I don't agree with this review and have stated my own discontent to the content of the review (which Blake replied in another thread), I really don't get why people are bringing up the good character and DIY ethic of AL4W. Sure, they are awesome guys, I agree, and some of the hardest-working guys I've known. But I've seen other bands with that same element, and I have not liked their material no matter how hard they've tried. I don't think Blake once called out the character of the members of AL4W at all.

I do have to say that as far as lyrical content, this album is leaps and bounds above anything else that AL4W has written. The "screaming" part of the first song is guest vocals from Sweet Pete of In My Eyes, one of the most influential of straight edge hardcore bands in Boston. If you don't like that, then cool, don't listen to In My Eyes. But that section right there is not A Loss For Words. In general, that first song is out-of-character for the band. Songs 4, 6, 7, and 8 are their strongest songs I think the band has written. The lyrical content of the last songs (9, 10, 11) are not as compelling as earlier in the album because those are older songs which were re-recorded.

That being said, Blake.... at least PROOFREAD your review before you post it. If you're going to be a staffer, at least write like one.
"Hear we get a direct..."
Wait, hear? Hear? Not here? *facepalm*

I just don't think it is responsible for a site that - lets face it - can make or break an artist to shit on a hard working band who puts out a mediocre album and then turn around and praise terrible bands who have been spoonfed every opportunity on a silver platter, and put out even worse albums, just based on who decides to review a particular album. The new There For Tomorrow album is far worse, and far more generic than this record, and I can almost guarantee it will get a high score and more favorable review than this did.

[Scott Weber]

You're right, I do like the band. And its true that I am probably just offended by the review because of this reason.

"And then there are 9 more songs. Oh wait, there is black sheep “Mt. Saint Joseph,” an acoustic ballad used to, I guess, break up the album. Here we get a direct injection of Arsenault’s angst and I find myself longing for the energetic guitars of Marc Dangora and (awesomely named) Nevada Smith. As I said, they are a fairly interesting buffer between my ears and the broken heart mantras of Arsenault (see: “It was too damn hard to watch / As heaven and hell held you down like anchors / And your demons finally lulled you back to sleep.”) The slow, stagnant nature of this song just plain hurts."

For the record, "Mt. Saint Joseph" is about a friend of the band that passed away due to drug abuse. I guess that paragraph isn't a low blow, though, huh?
No, it's not. Just because the song is about a personal matter does not make it GOOD. Again - the comparison - did you see movie critics taking that into consideration when they reviewed World Trade Center? To not give it's overly sappy and bleeding heart sensationalism a bad review?

I'm very sorry for the subject matter, but it does not give the band a free pass for the song to be praised if it's not good.

[Blake Solomon]

You're right, I do like the band. And its true that I am probably just offended by the review because of this reason.

"And then there are 9 more songs. Oh wait, there is black sheep “Mt. Saint Joseph,” an acoustic ballad used to, I guess, break up the album. Here we get a direct injection of Arsenault’s angst and I find myself longing for the energetic guitars of Marc Dangora and (awesomely named) Nevada Smith. As I said, they are a fairly interesting buffer between my ears and the broken heart mantras of Arsenault (see: “It was too damn hard to watch / As heaven and hell held you down like anchors / And your demons finally lulled you back to sleep.”) The slow, stagnant nature of this song just plain hurts."

For the record, "Mt. Saint Joseph" is about a friend of the band that passed away due to drug abuse. I guess that paragraph isn't a low blow, though, huh?
i didn't know that and already addressed it. I think it's terrible that a person/close friend passed on in such circumstances, but i also said that given the nature of the other songs, it's almost impossible to know the history without actually, you know, knowing the history.

[Chris Fallon]

Damn, this place is so controversial lately. Blake always knows how to start a fire.

[xdylanx]

this review is bullshit

this album is better than 90% of the shit that comes out

[Blake Solomon]

no agenda, just some loud voices. If we yell loud, you should yell louder.

[Scott Weber]

Work ethic is important in every facet of life. We praise it from athletes and other professionals, and we should praise it in musicians. A complete lack of heart is one of the biggest problems in this country as a whole. Doesn't necessarily change album originality or content, but to me if someone is busting their ass, and is a genuinely good person, you don't shit on their accomplishments. I also don't think the movie comparison is fair, because actors make a shit ton more movies than bands make records. One movie getting shit on doesn't ruin someone's career, but one album getting destroyed by an important media source can be a setback for a band who doesn't have the support of a label or a major publicity and pr firm.
That's bullshit.

I'm sure there are very nice authors out there who work incredibly hard on their books but they are still pieces of crap and should be treated as such. There are movie stars who never cause problems, do awesome charity work, but can't act. They will get trashed in reviews - whether it's a blockbuster or a small indie film festival entry. It's not a reviewer's responsibility to investigate a band's personal life and integrate it into his review, stating their merits as people while lightly critiquing the album. Life doesn't work like that. If you're suggesting that only bands who have personalities you hate deserve to have their music negatively critiqued, that is completely fucked. A truly ridiculous proposition. Don't want an album shit on in a review? Write better music, don't be better people and expect handouts.

[Blake Solomon]

this review is bullshit

this album is better than 90% of the shit that comes out
the best of shit is still shit. Or maybe I'm just interpreting your comment a bit too literally?

[Jason Tate]

Look I do not think this is a perfect album by any means, and I would not have even posted here if A) I didn't legitimately enjoy the record and B) have the chance to play with these guys last night, and watch the singer go out of his way to talk to and give props to every single other band and band member there, as well as make everyone who came out to the show feel appreciated. That is something SEVERELY lacking in the music scene now, that used to exist when I first started getting into the "scene" music years ago. I think Danny Casler has said it about a lot of bands, but when you meet someone and see what they are like, you "get" what they are doing a lot better, and it becomes a better product because of it. I guess that's the case for me here.

Pop Punk in general is generic and derivative. I just think it is funny that 2 years ago almost every staff member was on the jock of FYS like they were the second coming of Vinnie himself, and this band, who is extremely similar, and very good friends with the FYS boys, gets shit on in a review. Even Drew wasn't this hard on Aiden, and I think almost everyone here can agree they are infinitely worse than this band. In a scene where a lot of shit music made by shittier dudes gets pimped, doesn't at least seem a little irresponsible to go THIS hard on a band that at worst is making something generic, but making it passionately?

Lastly, as far as your review goes, I have seen you call lyrics trite on at least one other occasion and it baffled me then as well. Yeah, lyrics can be trite, but honestly, life is fucking trite sometimes. As someone who has written lyrics, if a song is written to convey a message - and perhaps to convey a message to one singular person - sometimes triteness is the best way to get that across. To top that off, songs should be written for the listener - not the band, not the reviewer, and not the intellectual poetry afficionado. I think triteness is something that a lot of listeners appreciate and identify with - and to assume it is automatically negative ALL the time kind of turns a deaf ear on the general listening population.




Work ethic is important in every facet of life. We praise it from athletes and other professionals, and we should praise it in musicians. A complete lack of heart is one of the biggest problems in this country as a whole. Doesn't necessarily change album originality or content, but to me if someone is busting their ass, and is a genuinely good person, you don't shit on their accomplishments. I also don't think the movie comparison is fair, because actors make a shit ton more movies than bands make records. One movie getting shit on doesn't ruin someone's career, but one album getting destroyed by an important media source can be a setback for a band who doesn't have the support of a label or a major publicity and pr firm.



I just don't think it is responsible for a site that - lets face it - can make or break an artist to shit on a hard working band who puts out a mediocre album and then turn around and praise terrible bands who have been spoonfed every opportunity on a silver platter, and put out even worse albums, just based on who decides to review a particular album. The new There For Tomorrow album is far worse, and far more generic than this record, and I can almost guarantee it will get a high score and more favorable review than this did.
I hope not, that album is awful.

[Jason Tate]

:lol:

This is my doing? I have said like 4 things in this review. Which I only read because I got emailed about it.

:rotfl:

[GetWellBoss]

no agenda, just some loud voices. If we yell loud, you should yell louder.
for us with valid arguments, we do try to "yell louder", but seemingly our opinions get shot down when the staff members get together. maybe that's why some get more hostile than they should. who knows.

[FailureWithinMe]

i didn't know that and already addressed it. I think it's terrible that a person/close friend passed on in such circumstances, but i also said that given the nature of the other songs, it's almost impossible to know the history without actually, you know, knowing the history.
I'm not saying you did it on purpose, but it still kinda sucks to know about the situation and then go on here and read something like that. I see what you mean though, it's hard to tell what the lyrics are actually about. That's the one problem I have with this album; very weak lyrically.

[Jason Tate]

That's bullshit.

I'm sure there are very nice authors out there who work incredibly hard on their books but they are still pieces of crap and should be treated as such. There are movie stars who never cause problems, do awesome charity work, but can't act. They will get trashed in reviews - whether it's a blockbuster or a small indie film festival entry. It's not a reviewer's responsibility to investigate a band's personal life and integrate it into his review, stating their merits as people while lightly critiquing the album. Life doesn't work like that. If you're suggesting that only bands who have personalities you hate deserve to have their music negatively critiqued, that is completely fucked. A truly ridiculous proposition. Don't want an album shit on in a review? Write better music, don't be better people and expect handouts.
I agree with this. I understand the personalization some people take into account when reading a review of a band they're friends with or enjoy -- I do. However, from an objective standpoint this is very true. The music shouldn't need qualifiers like "it's for fun" or "it's better than X" or "they're nice guys." If someone likes it - they like it. If they don't - they don't.

I asked about this album a while back in my blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=177562). Ended up not liking it either. I think they're a good group of guys, but the album didn't do it for me. I don't understand why that's such a big deal these days. If people want to read reviews, they're gonna have to accept that the reviews are never going to be tailor made for each reader.

[Chris Fallon]

Oh geez, come on people, don't get your undies in a knot over this. We don't have to have one review a week stir up such angst and stupidity in people. Let it flow, let yourself go, slow and low, that is the tempo.

[splitsecond]

That's bullshit.

I'm sure there are very nice authors out there who work incredibly hard on their books but they are still pieces of crap and should be treated as such. There are movie stars who never cause problems, do awesome charity work, but can't act. They will get trashed in reviews - whether it's a blockbuster or a small indie film festival entry. It's not a reviewer's responsibility to investigate a band's personal life and integrate it into his review, stating their merits as people while lightly critiquing the album. Life doesn't work like that. If you're suggesting that only bands who have personalities you hate deserve to have their music negatively critiqued, that is completely fucked. A truly ridiculous proposition. Don't want an album shit on in a review? Write better music, don't be better people and expect handouts.

See but, this album isn't THAT bad, and it certainly isn't worse than a lot of albums that have gotten more favorable reviews here. I mean, will bring up The Maine all day long for this argument. Can you really tell me with a good conscience that this record is more generic and more trite than Can't Stop Won't Stop? That is really my point. To shit on THIS band of all bands, and this record, for being generic, irked me.

I hope not, that album is awful.

Hey, staff is free to prove me wrong and rip that album to shreds.

[Jason Tate]

See but, this album isn't THAT bad, and it certainly isn't worse than a lot of albums that have gotten more favorable reviews here. I mean, will bring up The Maine all day long for this argument. Can you really tell me with a good conscience that this record is more generic and more trite than Can't Stop Won't Stop? That is really my point. To shit on THIS band of all bands, and this record, for being generic, irked me.



Hey, staff is free to prove me wrong and rip that album to shreds.
While I will say I find it interesting that it got a lower score than Blake's review of this album (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1094662), I find it unfair to compare reviews of different bands by different reviewers.

But I do defend Blake's right to rate things as he sees fit.

[FailureWithinMe]

I disagree. Especially with how you phrased your post.


I've never seen it. If you were spamming threads in this manner with links to your photography, I would have deleted them as well.


My site has no agenda. Spamming our comments with links to other websites has always been against the rules - and the posts deleted. Always. Don't know what the big deal is here.


All you had to say was about how people should read your review instead - and then a link. It's spam. We delete those kinds of posts. We're not going to turn into youtube comments here.
Agree to disagree?

[GetWellBoss]

I agree with this. I understand the personalization some people take into account when reading a review of a band they're friends with or enjoy -- I do. However, from an objective standpoint this is very true. The music shouldn't need qualifiers like "it's for fun" or "it's better than X" or "they're nice guys." If someone likes it - they like it. If they don't - they don't.

I asked about this album a while back in my blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=177562). Ended up not liking it either. I think they're a good group of guys, but the album didn't do it for me. I don't understand why that's such a big deal these days. If people want to read reviews, they're gonna have to accept that the reviews are never going to be tailor made for each reader.
At least for me the issue isn't that this received a bad review. I mean let's face it, it's not the best album in the world and this is HIS opinion. The issue is that this received so low of a rating versus The Dangerous Summer, an album he reviewed too, received so high of a rating. Also this isn't a debate between the two albums either because TDS album is MUCH better and once again it is his opinion. I guess I would like to personally see a little more standardization of ratings per reviewer. I think the website as a whole has a good formula, but now per reviewer it seems to skew. Also I'm not refering to between reviewers because every person will vary. I'm talking about per EACH reviewer. If that makes sense.

[InaGreendase]

Blake making fun of heart-felt lyrics in Mount St. Joseph that pay tribute to a friend who passed away is pathetic and makes Blake deserving of getting kicked in his rather large vagina.

Just because lyrics are heartfelt doesn't automatically make them well-written. Whoa, someone died, let's put a band on a pedestal because they acknowledged it.

[mahow]

The record is repetitive, yes. But I really love the sound these guys produce. I really enjoy listening to the album.

[Jason Tate]

At least for me the issue isn't that this received a bad review. I mean let's face it, it's not the best album in the world and this is HIS opinion. The issue is that this received so low of a rating versus The Dangerous Summer, an album he reviewed too, received so high of a rating. Also this isn't a debate between the two albums either because TDS album is MUCH better and once again it is his opinion. I guess I would like to personally see a little more standardization of ratings per reviewer. I think the website as a whole has a good formula, but now per reviewer it seems to skew. Also I'm not refering to between reviewers because every person will vary. I'm talking about per EACH reviewer. If that makes sense.
It's impossible to standardize a rating system based upon subjective viewpoints. Three stars to me is not three stars to you. The standardization comes across by reviewer. And if Blake feels this album is at X% compared to Y% for TDS, that's his rating process. It's standard and his own. So be it.

You're asking for something that already takes place. Each reviewer is using their own standardized review system for their scores. This album is a X% for Blake. That's what he scored it at.

[Chris Fallon]

I want to add one final note to this review:

I have written plenty of negative reviews in my tenure here, but many go unnoticed simply because the band in question is smaller and not enough people know who they are. Yet no one curses at me for saying what I'm saying because they don't know the band personally or have any other bias in the situation to include in a comment. I find it somewhat hysterical that whenever one of us gets shit, it's all due to bias of circumstance through others' accounts/relationships with the band/album, yet there are plenty of other occurrences that get ignored just because there is no prior bias in the situation. Amusing.

[GetWellBoss]

It's impossible to standardize a rating system based upon subjective viewpoints. Three stars to me is not three stars to you. The standardization comes across by reviewer. And if Blake feels this album is at X% compared to Y% for TDS, that's his rating process. It's standard and his own. So be it.

You're asking for something that already takes place. Each reviewer is using their own standardized review system for their scores. This album is a X% for Blake. That's what he scored it at.
That's exactly what i was trying to not say haha. I guess i didnt portray what I meant well. Sorry for that..

i meant that Blake should be more standardized. or you should when you review. or whomever. NOT between reviewers. Each person is subjective and that can't be regulated, especially between reviewers. But to give this one so low when he looks at other albums and gives them much higher, but is supposedly rated using the same system just doesnt make sense to me.

Honestly this was just a thought. Not really something more than that. So take it for what it's worth.

[Scott Weber]

See but, this album isn't THAT bad, and it certainly isn't worse than a lot of albums that have gotten more favorable reviews here. I mean, will bring up The Maine all day long for this argument. Can you really tell me with a good conscience that this record is more generic and more trite than Can't Stop Won't Stop? That is really my point. To shit on THIS band of all bands, and this record, for being generic, irked me.



Hey, staff is free to prove me wrong and rip that album to shreds.
So really the point comes down to you complaining about this being a better album than one that was reviewed higher by someone with different taste than you? Don't you see how messed up that is? Also, if you're complaining about other reviews, how are dozens of different reviewers supposed to have the same taste? Don't waste your breath on things that are impossible to change. Don't backpedal out of the point here - you specifically complained about the album being trashed wrongly because they are hard-working, good people. That's the issue.

[Jason Tate]

That's exactly what i was trying to not say haha. I guess i didnt portray what I meant well. Sorry for that..

i meant that Blake should be more standardized. or you should when you review. or whomever. NOT between reviewers. Each person is subjective and that can't be regulated, especially between reviewers. But to give this one so low when he looks at other albums and gives them much higher, but is supposedly rated using the same system just doesnt make sense to me.

Honestly this was just a thought. Not really something more than that. So take it for what it's worth.
But ... it is using the same system.

He likes album A - he hates album B. It's really that simple.

[splitsecond]

While I will say I find it interesting that it got a lower score than Blake's review of this album (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1094662), I find it unfair to compare reviews of different bands by different reviewers.

But I do defend Blake's right to rate things as he sees fit.
Well they are both from Missouri, so I just assumed they were cousins. I mean, isn't everyone in that state related?

[GetWellBoss]

But ... it is using the same system.

He likes album A - he hates album B. It's really that simple.
Yes and no. There are so many variables. None which you or him or any reviewer can control. For example listening to albums in a bad mood may change how much I like it. I mean we all have shitty days, so that just happens. Or maybe seeing someone live prior and then hearing this might give you a more open mind to the album, even though it's supposed to be strictly a review of the album.

As I said, not really a big deal. Just a passing thought I had. I blame college really and having to do stupid psych studies every semester. haha.

[Jason Tate]

Yes and no. There are so many variables. None which you or him or any reviewer can control. For example listening to albums in a bad mood may change how much I like it. I mean we all have shitty days, so that just happens. Or maybe seeing someone live prior and then hearing this might give you a more open mind to the album, even though it's supposed to be strictly a review of the album.

As I said, not really a big deal. Just a passing thought I had. I blame college really and having to do stupid psych studies every semester. haha.
So you make a claim for standardization, and then say it's impossible?

Rule 1: You must see a band live before reviewing.
Rule 2: You must take 4 prozac and have had 8 hours of sleep before reviewing.

Come on man.

[Anton Djamoos]

Yes and no. There are so many variables. None which you or him or any reviewer can control. For example listening to albums in a bad mood may change how much I like it. I mean we all have shitty days, so that just happens. Or maybe seeing someone live prior and then hearing this might give you a more open mind to the album, even though it's supposed to be strictly a review of the album.

As I said, not really a big deal. Just a passing thought I had. I blame college really and having to do stupid psych studies every semester. haha.
Right, so use the review as a guide for what you're getting into and then judge it yourself.

[splitsecond]

I want to add one final note to this review:

I have written plenty of negative reviews in my tenure here, but many go unnoticed simply because the band in question is smaller and not enough people know who they are. Yet no one curses at me for saying what I'm saying because they don't know the band personally or have any other bias in the situation to include in a comment. I find it somewhat hysterical that whenever one of us gets shit, it's all due to bias of circumstance through others' accounts/relationships with the band/album, yet there are plenty of other occurrences that get ignored just because there is no prior bias in the situation. Amusing.
In all fairness, I am not (and assume other people are the same) going to take issue with a negative review that if I know nothing about the band or have never heard of the band. I just happened to get the album recently, and happened to play a show with them last night, and woke up to this negative review.

[GetWellBoss]

So you make a claim for standardization, and then say it's impossible?

Rule 1: You must see a band live before reviewing.
Rule 2: You must take 4 prozac and have had 8 hours of sleep before reviewing.

Come on man.
So you're saying mood has nothing to do with how you might receive an album?

I guess the claim for standardization is more of something that would be nice to seen, yet i see many of the difficulties with it. I never said it was impossible. Actually, I was just commenting about you having some valid points. Which in turn caused me to look deeper into what I personally would desire from a review.That in then showed some flaws with what I orignally commented on, which is why I corrected that in the last post. That is how we grow as individuals. No need to be condescending with the whole Prozac thing(whether you meant to or not, that's how it was perceived).

[splitsecond]

I could use some happy pills, pass that shit.

[Chris Fallon]

In all fairness, I am not (and assume other people are the same) going to take issue with a negative review that if I know nothing about the band or have never heard of the band. I just happened to get the album recently, and happened to play a show with them last night, and woke up to this negative review.
It's all good, man -- I don't take issue with anyone expressing their opinion, it just seems lately everyone is mad based on very personal feelings to specific bands, yet other bands who get this shit don't get the same defense. I'm just in that boat of opinion that refuses to allow my personal preferences interfere with what makes a release good or not (I speak in terms of the TBS debacle, mainly). You're a nice guy and this certainly not something I'd expect from you. And I wasn't pointing at you specifically, just noticed it in general and related it in this convo. Hope that makes some sense.

[GetWellBoss]

Right, so use the review as a guide for what you're getting into and then judge it yourself.
Personally I like to go the other way so I don't go in with biased thoughts. But that is just me.

Honestly I get that people make bad music. Hell, I've heard splitsecond's shitty music for almost 4 years now. It happens and it's good that a reviewer can post how they feel about an album. But to me(which obviously is just my opinion), it just felt a little harsh. But it's cool. I was just curious on how it all worked review wise.

[Burn That Shit]

KILL BLAKE KILL BLAKE!

x

[etomicsean]

some of these posts are too long. :(

[poi]

how about we all just agree that it's not the bands fault their record is trash, it's the genre of music their playing.

[Brandon Allin]

I don't think I have ever disagreed more with a review on this site. I love you and all Blake, but this album is fantastic. Much love for these dudes. One of the hardest working bands I've ever encountered.

[elemenohpe]

this review is cold blooded.

sure, the record wasn't a bombshell of fresh ideas but i still think it's better than most of the recent pop-punk releases. the average user rating seems like a more accurate numerical score.

[splitsecond]

Personally I like to go the other way so I don't go in with biased thoughts. But that is just me.

Honestly I get that people make bad music. Hell, I've heard splitsecond's shitty music for almost 4 years now. It happens and it's good that a reviewer can post how they feel about an album. But to me(which obviously is just my opinion), it just felt a little harsh. But it's cool. I was just curious on how it all worked review wise.
lol

[Brandon Allin]

I think I'm burned out on all of the new pop punk stuff. I haven't gotten around to listening to the entire album but the songs I heard I didn't really care for, it kinda sounded like a FYS cover band.
This band doesn't sound anything like Four Year Strong.

[Soupy]

Wow. That elevated quickly.

This is a good album. Blake is entitled to thinking otherwise.

This band is still on tour with some of the biggest names in the genre and will continue to be and that's what's important.

[Brandon Allin]

Wow. That elevated quickly.

This is a good album. Blake is entitled to thinking otherwise.

This band is still on tour with some of the biggest names in the genre and will continue to be and that's what's important.
Amen.

[GetWellBoss]

lol
i love saying stuff like this. haha.

[Stevecase]

I love how staffers have come to Blake Solomon's(that's him right?) rescue. It seems like when staffers speak, other people start disappearing haha. Why is that? Do they just go quietly? Since we're all free to voice our opinions on this wonderful site, I will go ahead and say that this is a solid release, in my opinion.

People give terrible reviews all the time. So what.
The fact that an Unsigned band even got this recognition speaks louder than any of these words that I'm reading and/or am going to read. They're doing something right. Whether it's amounting up on "absolutepunk.net" is irrelevant.

[splitsecond]

i love saying stuff like this. haha.
you also love the double dutch rudder

[GetWellBoss]

you also love the double dutch rudder
only while listening to The Maine.

Oh you mean THAT double dutch rudder. I'm glad you have started working out. Maybe it wont make it as difficult to reach anymore. Well I mean it will still be somewhat difficult because of size issues, but that's ok because you sure have some motion in your ocean.

[live.]

Shut up this album is like so good they're never gonna make another tell all your friends so just shut up plz.

Oh, erm...wrong thread.

[Jake Denning]

Im gonna disagree with you Blake. This is ATLEAST a B- album.

[Burn That Shit]

I haven't heard the record and I agree with Blake. His words transcend the music.

[Albi549]

The songs I have listened to on this album are pretty solid and as many said before its nothing reinventiing but , Blake just goes tooo far in bashing this and the entire genre...sounds like a D bag to me

[Ryzenfall]

I doubt I'll ever listen to these guys, but this review was hilarious.

[ThisIsNotDan]

if anything though, this might get people to say "woah this record got a rather poor review, I should listen to them on myspace and see if they are as bad as Blake says" and potentially gain new fans. bad press can be good press

[smorgy]

if anything though, this might get people to say "woah this record got a rather poor review, I should listen to them on myspace and see if they are as bad as Blake says" and potentially gain new fans. bad press can be good press
actually im gonna check the new record out now, i have al4w's acoustic album but ive never really listened to their regular stuff but now i am to see if its as bad as blake says or if its okay like everyone else says.

[Merch_Mike]

hmmm i like this album!

[boscorelli]

personally i love this album, im shocked at the low score. much shittier albums have gotten 80's and 90's on here

[AbeLurkin]

if anything though, this might get people to say "woah this record got a rather poor review, I should listen to them on myspace and see if they are as bad as Blake says" and potentially gain new fans. bad press can be good press
i skipped pages of nonsense to write this.

[more heart]

Meh, I like it.

[Drew Beringer]

so much drama

[Andy Antar]

i skipped pages of nonsense to write this.

You didn't miss anything :/

[Anton Djamoos]

This review shouldn't hurt this band. Anyone who would be put off by this review will probably end up reading the overwhelmingly positive comments and end up checking it out anyways.

[denissuxx]

Fucking epic thread.

I agree that this isn't the best album, but perhaps rating could be higher?

Some good points are raised in the review however

[splitsecond]

so much drama
this is why you should have given aiden about 12%

[HometownHero]

God you people are so stupid. I like this album to but seriously grow the fuck up. One opinion of one guy doesnt kill anything. Get over it. PS splitsecond what band are you in?

[mortal soldier]

I'm starting an absolutepunk review drinking game. One drink for every person who complains about a review because the band members are "good dudes", one drink for every person who says a score should be "higher" or "lower", and three drinks for every time somebody accuses Jason Tate of having an agenda/enacting a conspiracy theory/banning people based on his music taste.

It's going to be a long night.

[Trent Powers]

Sometimes I do not understand how this site operates. Blake gets to rip apart a band who works their ass off and are genuinely nice dudes, while guys like Joe get to suck off flavor of the week bands who put out the most meaningless and empty pop diarrhea.

Is this album predictable? Well yes to an extent. But it is pop punk, that is part of the allure of the genre. If you don't like pop punk, don't review pop punk records. This album is leaps and bounds better than the 1/2 album 1/2 filler record that Set Your Goals put out last, and better than most of the pop punk records released so far this year.

These guys don't have a label, and are doing everything they do true DIY style, and to shit on them because you apparently don't like pop punk is fucked up. And you know I normally like Blake reviews. But a little more thought needs to be put into whether you are doing the right thing by reviewing a record, because this was really uncalled for. These guys are not The Maine and certainly do not deserve to be shit on like they are less genuine and less talented than a band like that.

And yes, this post is way out of character for me, so that should say something.
i agree man. the record may not be ground breaking, but it's still a decent pop punk record and i really enjoy matty's vocals.
i was really stoked to read this review, but was completely let down by it.

damn, splitsecond we really need to party, get drunk, or smoke a phat blunt soon fool

[mortal soldier]

One drink for whatever that just was as well.

[doppelganger]

there is a lot of anger in this thread.

[zubinmoosa]

This review shouldn't hurt this band. Anyone who would be put off by this review will probably end up reading the overwhelmingly positive comments and end up checking it out anyways.
That's not the point though

[secthagoals626]

I love A Loss For Words & this record, but people need to understand that this is just Blake's opinion. The only difference between him and you is that he writes his opinion down and posts it for everyone to see. I don't agree with the opinion in the review, but its just one person, who happens to not like the album. Shouldn't enflame everyone so much...
That being said this is a great album and I encourage everyone to give it a listen, and if you agree with the review, then you agree with it. Don't pass it up just because of one person's opinion, though.

[VLJimi]

I haven't listened to the album yet, however, they are a solid band with great dudes. And for how you pretty much say they are ripping for the Four Year Strong's and Set Your Goal's type of bands, these dudes have been making this type of music for many, many years and just now are getting a little national attention. They aren't following the trend, they helped start it.

[Losing Streak]

It's not the best album ever (what pop/punk album is)...but it's not nearly as bad as this review suggests. Also, I can personally attest that they are really nice guys (they played with my roommate's band last week and quickly threw them a bass guitar when his band's bassist broke a string in mid-set) and are really hard-working and genuine guys. Sometimes music is just about the fun you have making it, and these dudes are the kind of guys that I want to see succeed.

On a second note: I have no beef with someone posting their opinion or writing a review (even if I disagree with it)...but this review has a real wanna-be pitchfork writer feel to it. Yet another reason why I think that site (and it's influence) is just plan bad for the hardworking fun sector of independent music.

These kids are alright...and remember, they're not trying to be anything more than they are. In an age of pretentious indie hipster bands and reviews based on what kind of people like a band more than the band itself, guys who are writing decent music and are also decent humble respectable people are a breath of fresh air no matter how innovative (or not) their music is.

Finally, if the reviewer wants to write for Pitchfork some day, they need to beef up that vocabulary. That, and if you have to actually mention in a review you have a beard, then you don't have enough indie-cred to start with.

[Losing Streak]

I haven't listened to the album yet, however, they are a solid band with great dudes. And for how you pretty much say they are ripping for the Four Year Strong's and Set Your Goal's type of bands, these dudes have been making this type of music for many, many years and just now are getting a little national attention. They aren't following the trend, they helped start it.

Word dude, they are great guys. They've been playing this stuff in Boston for a while, and it's not exactly what Boston was known for until very recently.

I seriously can't say enough about what great people they are. After helping my friends; band like they did I bought a shirt from them to say thanks.

[eatsound]

I really dig this album regardless of the poor score given in the review. I understand where you're coming from but it's pop-punk. Meaning..it won't be the most original or creative album ever.

Then again, I'm from Massachusetts..so in a way I have a biased opinion..

[Scott Weber]

bad music is bad music. stop talking about what kind of people they are. that doesn't give them a free pass.

[Someone'sCoat]

I disagree with this entire review. I respect it but strongly disagree.

[chrismojan]

Is it really that hard to understand that some people like stuff and some people don't? If someone doesn't like a band's record it doesn't mean they don't want them to succeed, or mean they are purposely making fun of one of their friends that died. It just means they don't like the record.

That being said I would elope with AL4W.

[etomicsean]

i really don't get why people are comparing a review to how nice of people the guys in the band are. that makes no sense.

[etomicsean]

side note - if you like their type of music - give it a listen and formulate your own opinion. simple as that. and go see them live. you will definitely be entertained.

[timb89]

Hahahahaha

In 100% sincerity though, congrats on graduating.
play doh is harder than it looks

[timb89]

these guys arent great... theyre not brokencyde... theyre just pop-punk at the moment.
which is getting very stale

[timb89]

and wat the fuck at the random goth type guy in the band. he looks more out of place than... anyone over the age of 16 at a metro station concert (yep that will do)

[timb89]

i agree man. the record may not be ground breaking, but it's still a decent pop punk record and i really enjoy matty's vocals.
i was really stoked to read this review, but was completely let down by it.

damn, splitsecond we really need to party, get drunk, or smoke a phat blunt soon fool
its not even remotley ground breaking their has to be a point in time when enough of the same stuff is enough... this coudl have been 100 bands sophmore album. but its just the same tiresome music.

as fun as it may be doesnt make it deserving of a good musical rating

[Jackets50]

Been lurking the site for a long time but I had to say that people getting so butthurt about this is ridiculous. I agree with what Scott said, bands don't deserve free passes even if they are good dudes but still write shit music. I haven't listened to this album enough to make my own judgement yet, but if I do end up liking it I'm not going to cry and bitch because someone else didn't. That's the beauty of having an opinion, you have your OWN.

[tonysmalls]

I haven't read any of this thread, but I will say that every member of AL4W are solid dudes, and they believe in what they do more than most of the bands I've ever come into contact with. I personally think the record is awesome, and if people don't like it thats fine but people need to know that this band is talented, hard working, and the do it for the right reasons day in and day out. TTNY+AL4W= <3

[imtellingseb]

The discussion in this thread makes it so obvious that a lot of the users on here are actually more interested in the reviews than the music itself (please, feel free to be offended). A review is just ONE persons opinion (and its very subjective, just like yours), and so what if that person doesnt feel like you do? Its about what the music does for YOU and how you feel about. If all you want is to like a band that every one else does, maybe you should stick with the band in my avatar. Or you can always like Brand New, that also seems like a safe bet, and not to mention, the cred. points.

I realize that this makes me look like a big suck-up to Blake in a way, but for the record (almost pun intended), this album has been one of my absolute favorites this year so far. Although I disagree with his reviews in 9 out of 10 times, id say no one writes more enjoyable and funny reviews on here.

[imtellingseb]

I love A Loss For Words & this record, but people need to understand that this is just Blake's opinion. The only difference between him and you is that he writes his opinion down and posts it for everyone to see. I don't agree with the opinion in the review, but its just one person, who happens to not like the album. Shouldn't enflame everyone so much...
That being said this is a great album and I encourage everyone to give it a listen, and if you agree with the review, then you agree with it. Don't pass it up just because of one person's opinion, though.
haha, i just realized i kinda stole your post. well said!

[marky2468]

i think this band and this album fucking rules.
people are entitled to their own opinion.
but i do think they are good enough that if you like pop punk at all they are worth a shot.

[Bongi5788]

Fuck This Garbage Review.


South Shore Mass Represent.

[brokenwings]

don't care to read all the 10 million angry responses to this review, so i'll just say that i loved it. really, really funny :-)

[alilbravetoaste]

Farmers haplessly tilling their fields find no magical baseball fields. Instead they are catapulted to the Great Big Baseball Field in the Sky.
That's an awesome movie haha.

[Chemical Love]

Wow, its not a great pop punk album but its not as horrible as this review makes it out to be.

[Blake Solomon]

and wat the fuck at the random goth type guy in the band. he looks more out of place than... anyone over the age of 16 at a metro station concert (yep that will do)
just a photo shoot, none of them actually look like that normally

[TSLROCKS]

if anything though, this might get people to say "woah this record got a rather poor review, I should listen to them on myspace and see if they are as bad as Blake says" and potentially gain new fans. bad press can be good press
Haha truth. I decided to give this album another listen after reading through the review and the comments. Don't hate it as much as I did when I first listened to it

[Albi549]

still a D bag

[ThisIsNotDan]

Haha truth. I decided to give this album another listen after reading through the review and the comments. Don't hate it as much as I did when I first listened to it

I can definetly see people thinking its boring or nothing new, but I don't really think it deserves the hate. whatever man, opinions opinions ahha.

[mortal soldier]

overreactions ITT

[xerikzx]

worst review i have ever read...

band rules and backed hard.

[Broden Terry]

I might give this a listen and form my own opinion :shrug:

[alexcreate]

shut up


stop listening to shit and i will.

[mht]

I love how all these generic bands that sound exactly alike come together just to defend eachothers album reviews and over saturate a terrible trendy genre of music that hopefully will die off quicker than 2004's myspace metalcore

[ShreddieKrueger]

Best review on this site by far. Band has been playing forever and every year they put out something with better recording quality and less originality.

[vasya]

thank god for an honest review. this band is so goddamn overrated

[Jmo342006]

agreed with this review hardcore. there was absolutely nothing creative about this record.

[JustMatty]

I can't really understand how a guy can get bashed for writing lyrics that mean something to him. I guess people would rather hear about things that make absolutely no sense. I thoroughly enjoy it, and you should definitely listen to decide for yourself.

[TPISS]

blake u gut every thing all wrong buddy.... u obv dont know what ur talking about.... AL4W is mostlikely the most real band out there.... you have no idea what u are talking about shitting on the lyrics when u have no idea what half of them mean... this is a solid cd, idc if its pop punk or hardcore or metal i dont care what we are rating it to... its a great cd that i enjoy listening to... as many haters as there is out there .. theres more people that go to their shows and really experiences their live talent ... maybe you think there cd is shitty because the bands u listen to fuck with so much distortions and synths that they dont even sounds the same live.... AL4W and " the kids cant lose" are an ispiration to me and all their other fans. i guess you just have to know them to understand the lyrics and the cd but once you understand the cd is amazing... so do every one a favor and go to a fucking hatebreed or some bullshit show and get ur teeth kicked in

[wall e]

Basically what it boils down to is that you gave it a lower review than you did for 3OH3's album

[Brissona]

Sometimes I do not understand how this site operates. Blake gets to rip apart a band who works their ass off and are genuinely nice dudes, while guys like Joe get to suck off flavor of the week bands who put out the most meaningless and empty pop diarrhea.

Is this album predictable? Well yes to an extent. But it is pop punk, that is part of the allure of the genre. If you don't like pop punk, don't review pop punk records. This album is leaps and bounds better than the 1/2 album 1/2 filler record that Set Your Goals put out last, and better than most of the pop punk records released so far this year.

These guys don't have a label, and are doing everything they do true DIY style, and to shit on them because you apparently don't like pop punk is fucked up. And you know I normally like Blake reviews. But a little more thought needs to be put into whether you are doing the right thing by reviewing a record, because this was really uncalled for. These guys are not The Maine and certainly do not deserve to be shit on like they are less genuine and less talented than a band like that.

And yes, this post is way out of character for me, so that should say something.
if you take Mutiny and listen to it from beginning to end it's a complete piece there is no fuller at all you %$@#

[Blake Solomon]

Basically what it boils down to is that you gave it a lower review than you did for 3OH3's album
just yesterday I had quite a large bowel movement. I then had to rest afterwards, so I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel Channel. When that didn't make me feel better, I jumped out of a window but a large shrub broke my fall.

Wait, what was your point again?

[Blake Solomon]

blake u gut every thing all wrong buddy.... u obv dont know what ur talking about.... AL4W is mostlikely the most real band out there.... you have no idea what u are talking about shitting on the lyrics when u have no idea what half of them mean... this is a solid cd, idc if its pop punk or hardcore or metal i dont care what we are rating it to... its a great cd that i enjoy listening to... as many haters as there is out there .. theres more people that go to their shows and really experiences their live talent ... maybe you think there cd is shitty because the bands u listen to fuck with so much distortions and synths that they dont even sounds the same live.... AL4W and " the kids cant lose" are an ispiration to me and all their other fans. i guess you just have to know them to understand the lyrics and the cd but once you understand the cd is amazing... so do every one a favor and go to a fucking hatebreed or some bullshit show and get ur teeth kicked in
jokes on you, i don't have any teeth! I put pieces of Dentyne Ice in my gums and then I look hot and have spearminty breath that lasts for AGES!

[wall e]

just yesterday I had quite a large bowel movement. I then had to rest afterwards, so I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel Channel. When that didn't make me feel better, I jumped out of a window but a large shrub broke my fall.

Wait, what was your point again?
I didn't have a point lol. I just hate 3OH3 :(

[micahbadbreath]

This is a really inspired review, dude. I think you have a future in writing for Reader's Digest with your pseudo-intellectual metaphors and references to pop-culture. Instead of telling me why you didn't like the album (to be fair you did state the lyrics were "too depressing". You should probably go back to listening to The Maine's new album) you barrage the reader with "overly trite" witty banter for far too long. The only thing I agree with in this review is that you lead a sad life.

[kellybanana]

yo, the first song is one of the best songs in recent memory

suck it

[Scott Weber]

uh oh, looks like the band called in their fan club to register and post!

[futurebreed]

uh oh, looks like the band called in their fan club to register and post!

Cause there are just sooo many 2009 posters on the last few pages.... Yikes. X-)

[Albi549]

Blake = D bag haahahah

[Blake Solomon]

Blake = D bag haahahah
only if d stands for Delicious. So you're calling me a Delicious Bag, which makes me think of a value meal at Wendy's! WHICH MAKES ME HAPPY! THIS IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT I'VE EVER RECEIVED!

[Blake Solomon]

uh oh, looks like the band called in their fan club to register and post!
this is so unlike you to instigate, Scott!!!

[walshknilb281]

possibly one of the worst reviews I've read on this site. I mean yea I'll give you its repetitive and they don't bring anything new to the table, but its fucking Pop Punk, what do you expect. If NFG new record got an 80 or something on this site there is no way this band should get a 38. These dudes write their own music on actual instruments, don't try to fit the image, or use autetune that most of this site rips on like The Maine, Brokencyde, every other "trend/neon" band now, and I guarantee those bands albums scored higher than this.

[walshknilb281]

I mean I guess this review if fine and that you don't like it, but if your gonna do it to this band, I'd like to see it done to more bands that put out a shitty album instead of giving them at least 60 percent everytime just because of their reputation "cough" NFG, Saves The Day, Hit the Lights "cough" Everyone knows those 3's last albums were pretty shit but just because of their rep you gotta give them a high score. Same with Alternative Press who gave new TBS' 5/5 just because they want the band to continue to do interviews with them and promotions.

[Blake Solomon]

I mean I guess this review if fine and that you don't like it, but if your gonna do it to this band, I'd like to see it done to more bands that put out a shitty album instead of giving them at least 60 percent everytime just because of their reputation "cough" NFG, Saves The Day, Hit the Lights "cough" Everyone knows those 3's last albums were pretty shit but just because of their rep you gotta give them a high score. Same with Alternative Press who gave new TBS' 5/5 just because they want the band to continue to do interviews with them and promotions.
don't forget, though, The Maine gave me like 2500 dollars to write a semi-positive review. It would have been an 80%, but they had just had van trouble and so they could only afford the smaller pay scale. Bad luck, I guess! When I contacted AL4W about their "donation," I never heard back. Thus, the bad review.

I really don't know how we are going to regain any semblance of the credibility we had now that you've totally ripped us all to shreds!

[FailureWithinMe]

uh oh, looks like the band called in their fan club to register and post!
there were like 2 people who did that. nice try, though. Blake would give u an A for effort

[MakeshiftHalo]

only if d stands for Delicious. So you're calling me a Delicious Bag, which makes me think of a value meal at Wendy's! WHICH MAKES ME HAPPY! THIS IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT I'VE EVER RECEIVED!

you showed them... god job. high five buddy. now finish ur fruit snacks and put on ur jammy jams

[Circoheeve]

Sweet Park reference. I love that band.

[therookielot]

this thread brings the lolz. Kudos to Blake for keeping it together and punking everyone out

[ShreddieKrueger]

i feel like everyone who's pissed that this band got a bad review is a friend of AL4W. i don't know how someone can listen to the album and not laugh.

then again, thinking that everyone who's pissed is a friend of the band could spawn from being from massachusetts and knowing that the only reason this band has anything is because they kiss ass and make friends with the biggest bands in the business. if hardworking is asking FYS to post bulletins for you and SYG to post a blog on their myspace then this band has it.

[cr0psy]

I don't really agree with this either



what's wrong with depressing lyrics over a cheerful pop tune?


everyone fucking loved Fall Out Boy's Take This To Your Grave!

"Let's play this game called When You Catch Fire, I wouldn't piss to put you out"


I actually think this album is very memorable
I've sure as hell had "Stamp Of Approval" stuck in my head
xD

[micahbadbreath]

i feel like everyone who's pissed that this band got a bad review is a friend of AL4W. i don't know how someone can listen to the album and not laugh.

then again, thinking that everyone who's pissed is a friend of the band could spawn from being from massachusetts and knowing that the only reason this band has anything is because they kiss ass and make friends with the biggest bands in the business. if hardworking is asking FYS to post bulletins for you and SYG to post a blog on their myspace then this band has it.
When people say "hardworking" they're probably referring to their constant touring, three self-released albums, overcoming line-up changes, helping their friends bands when they come through Massachusetts and the like. I doubt people were referencing their friend's bands giving them shout outs. And I don't really see why a band helping out another band with no label support should be used as an insult? I'd also like to know what is laughable about this album? Can you give me an example?

[micahbadbreath]

uh oh, looks like the band called in their fan club to register and post!
Do you see the irony in this statement?

[Hurley3204]

black solomon i dont think we listened to the same album

[Stankewich]

I'm just now giving this a decent listen-through... and after reading the majority of this thread I am a little disappointed in everyone's inability to allow opinions to be be opinions. This record is decent... in my opinion. It is not Four Year Strong or Set Your Goals... but there are particular hooks that resonate and some parts that I do believe drive just as hard as these other bands. I agree that this is a bit of a FYSlite band... but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. You can only listen to Rise so many times.. haha. All in all, I would say that it's a refreshing listen as compared to a lot of the other stuff surfacing as of late. (That said, I haven't listened too closely to any of the lyrical content... but it is rather repetitive... "All we want is to make it out alive...", etc.) I think it's exciting that an opinion can stir up a discussion, but it should be more about supporting people for their ability to write and their willingness to express their thoughts. This review is not going to sink this band. It is one opinion. I still picked up the record and I like it, despite my knee-jerk reaction to check out the review on AP. Good review, Blake... keep up the dedication to the site, and thanks for hard work.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

i'd rather listen to this shit compared to set your gays
i hate your taste in music and the way you have to use an alternate sexual orientation to dislike a band. Set Your Goals is amazing, so shut up.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

jokes on you, i don't have any teeth! I put pieces of Dentyne Ice in my gums and then I look hot and have spearminty breath that lasts for AGES!
lol but hatebreed sux.

[alexcreate]

i hate your taste in music and the way you have to use an alternate sexual orientation to dislike a band. Set Your Goals is amazing, so shut up.
your name is from a bring me the horizon song and you're talking about someone else's taste in music?

set your goals is one of the most overhyped bands alive right now. you're an idiot.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

your name is from a bring me the horizon song and you're talking about someone else's taste in music?

set your goals is one of the most overhyped bands alive right now. you're an idiot.
overhyped, maybe.
Good, yes.

And when I put that as my username, I was in a bmth phase, k?
If i were to choose one now it would either be JayWalingBackwards or ReptarisKing.. lol @ last one.

And even if i was an idiot (which i'm not) how does that make my music taste any worse/better vise versa.

[XSTAYGOLDX]

http://i25.tinypic.com/1071i0z.jpg

[bestofmoss]

I can't even read what I wrote because my school sucks!! Thank god I graduated with a degree in Play-Doh engineering!
I actually think this album rules.
This review sucks.

[Chris Fallon]

Review and comments on the last page still make me smile.

[shika]

this album is solid albeit it isn't ground breaking but come on it's their debut let's hold off on the syg knock off jokes

[XSTAYGOLDX]

i honestly hear very little similarities to SYG. And al4w have been a band for longer

[shika]

^this

[FailureWithinMe]

One drink for whatever that just was as well.
hahahahaha

[XSTAYGOLDX]

bump for them playing in SACRAMENTO NEXT WEEK OCTOBER 14TH 3130 BRANCH ST 6PM SHARP 5 BUCKS. THE WONDER YEARS, ENERGY, AL4W, WITH PUNCHES, AND MOREEE

[Burn That Shit]

awful, terrible band, that is filled with a bunch of arrogant, uneducated dicks. The New England scene sure has hit the shitter since The Pixies.

[chriscurran]

^ Is this dude for real? ^ Hahahaha

[JGood4]

love this album

[XSTAYGOLDX]

worst review

[luvsickcatalyst]

awful, terrible band, that is filled with a bunch of arrogant, uneducated dicks. The New England scene sure has hit the shitter since The Pixies.
...seriously? Do you personally know the guys from AL4W? How about any band in the Boston scene? Based of the times I've gotten to talk with the guys from AL4W and Therefore I Am online and at shows, they're humble, genuine people that play really good music. Check your facts before making an assumption.

And I personally really enjoyed this record.

[Burn That Shit]

...seriously? Do you personally know the guys from AL4W? How about any band in the Boston scene? Based of the times I've gotten to talk with the guys from AL4W and Therefore I Am online and at shows, they're humble, genuine people that play really good music. Check your facts before making an assumption.

And I personally really enjoyed this record.
yeah i do, and they suck. they're not humble they're a bunch of bros who like to talk shit and write bad music. this has nothing to do with facts dinkus, it's an opinion.

oh and your blog sucks.

[luvsickcatalyst]

yeah i do, and they suck. they're not humble they're a bunch of bros who like to talk shit and write bad music. this has nothing to do with facts dinkus, it's an opinion.

oh and your blog sucks.
Firstly, dinkus? I just had to point out your lame insult before continuing.

You, like most people on this site, sound negative and obnoxious, so I'll try to write this as short as possible because it's not really worth arguing with you. An opinion's an opinion, and people aren't always saints. Maybe you've seen them always in a negative light whereas I've met them and they were appreciative I like and supported their band. I grew up listening to bands in the Boston scene, so, while I don't like every band from Boston, I've found guys like AL4W to be hardworking people and a fun band to see live. You just used the little fact that you don't like them as people to shit on the entire Boston scene, which is ridiculous.

And go ahead, use the random "your blog sucks" cheapshot. Very irrelevant to the topic and shows how immature you are, but have at it. Your opinion means little because it's not going to stop me from posting or displaying my photography/sketches.

[Burn That Shit]

Firstly, dinkus? I just had to point out your lame insult before continuing.

You, like most people on this site, sound negative and obnoxious, so I'll try to write this as short as possible because it's not really worth arguing with you. An opinion's an opinion, and people aren't always saints. Maybe you've seen them always in a negative light whereas I've met them and they were appreciative I like and supported their band. I grew up listening to bands in the Boston scene, so, while I don't like every band from Boston, I've found guys like AL4W to be hardworking people and a fun band to see live. You just used the little fact that you don't like them as people to shit on the entire Boston scene, which is ridiculous.

And go ahead, use the random "your blog sucks" cheapshot. Very irrelevant to the topic and shows how immature you are, but have at it. Your opinion means little because it's not going to stop me from posting or displaying my photography/sketches.
if you like this band or the boston scene, cool that's awesome. keep liking it if that's what makes you feel good. i support that.

i think they suck and don't like a lot of the bands from boston because every one i've had the pleasure of talking to has been arrogant cocks. obviously the entire boston scene doesn't suck, but it doesn't help that it's one of the breeding grounds for shitty bro chugga chugga pop punk bands.

apart from that, this band is from abington, not boston.

[KDOW8]

Since when has it been a crime to incorporate sad lyrics into a generally happy sounding genre of music? I mean if Killswitch Engage can write lyrics with a positive message, while at the same time riffing in a full step down in minor key, does this not go against the norm of what most metal bands do these days? Sad sounding riffs don't necessarily have to correlate with their lyrical composition. Thus, upbeat and energetic songs should not be limited to a positive outlook on the world.

I mean, I guess AL4W could have written 11 songs regarding how kick ass the scene is, or how Matty's ex-girlfriend was a bitch, but now he doesn't even care! But why should "emo" be entirely removed from the pop-punk sound? You know, there was a time before bands like FYS and Set your Goals decided to embrace their New Found Glory and add a hardcore element to their sound (in standard tuning? still find it weird) but I don't really see an album like this, which, from a nostalgic perspective, reminds me of a little CD called Perhaps I suppose, deserving an overall rating of 3. I'm not saying by any stretch of one's imagination that this CD is meant to alter the way we view pop-punk, but if I were to say that this album doesn't do one single thing different, thus crediting them almost no respect, I would have to then give Hit the Lights and every single one of their CDs the same rating. Isn't the whiny and nasaly voice mixed with lame, open-riff breakdowns, which, by the way, wouldn't survive a minute within a crowd of metal-heads, just as overdone as the sound that AL4W is emulating?

All I know is this, after hearing more than several bands like Attack Attack, who honestly believe that they are being original by mixing hardcore, screamo, metal, punk, electronica??, and pop into one big awful mess, I find myself more relieved than anything else that AL4W sticks to one generic mold of pop-punk. I wouldn't call this album unoriginal, but more representative of what it was like to hear pop-punk maybe 5 years ago, before this whole creativity push resulted in the mixture of several genres, all rolled up into one big auto-tuned ball.

Believe it or not, musical rating relies on more than how "ground-breaking" an album is. Musical rating is also about how well the album is received by their target audience. Taking into consideration that some people are tired of hearing clear and distinct pop-punk, reminiscent of the "good ole' days," fear not, a cure exists. Don't listen? There are plenty of bands that believe they are innovative these days that you can tear a new (bleep) in your blogging. But by god, don't shoot down a band that at least knows who they are.

"Originality is only undetected plagiarism" - Albert Einstein

"Mostly everything in music has already been done, we make our own way by ripping off as many people as we can and hope we don't get caught." - Jose Pasillas, Incubus.

[Chi-LO]

I have been listening to this album pretty regularly. It may not offer a whole lot of new things, but I think they outdo most pop punk bands with this album. I'm also a fan of the acoustic EP.
agreed, and thats where the reviews on this site have been lacking