Broadway Calls - Good Views, Bad News

[Chris Fallon]

Broadway Calls - Good Views, Bad News
Record Label: SideOneDummy
Release Date: August 18, 2009

Oregon, go ahead and pat yourselves on the back. Why? No, not because Clyde the Glide was a great hoops star; no, not because without you, this very website (and this review!) would not exist; and no, not because Steve Miller helped popularize the word "pompatus." Pat yourselves on the back because after all these years, the Portland area is giving birth to more music than ever before. Sure, Paul Revere & the Raiders got their kicks, and Elliott Smith found a needle in the hay -- but recently, the humble City of Roses lodged between Seattle's busy scene and the Bay's frequent outputs has come into its own, delivering a plethora of new bands sure to make even Tanya Harding bust her own kneecaps out of pure unabashed joy.

You see, the Trailblazers aren't the only ones... well, um... blazing trails. After two previous releases earned the band some recognition with classic-era pop-punk fans (and Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong), Broadway Calls -- a three-piece from Rainier -- have crafted an album that is sure to be the next longtime favorite for anyone who witness the rise of bands like New Found Glory, The Movielife or The Starting Line. Full of gut-punching rhythms, streetlight crusades and youthful exuberance, Good Views, Bad News is this year's pop-punk sleeper hit. Like the cover suggests, kite-flying will ensue because you'll be so overjoyed, you will be unable to contain your legs from skipping & your mouth from smiling.

"Midnight Hour" is a ringing ode to living the carefree lifestyle, and "Be All You Can't Be" succeeds in portraying confidence as an ideal one finds with their own true spirit. "Basement Royalty" is a high-flying ode to the sort of bands Broadway Calls came from, and "To The Sheets" channels All Time Low for a fist-pumping finale sure to end any live show on a high note. Go-to punk rock production duo Bill Stevenson & Jason Livermore have taken what Willie Samuels (Green Day) ignited on the self-titled record and blasted it into overload, doubling everything up for a record that sounds larger than life. While "To The Sheets" certainly would have worked as an album closer, "At the End" feels like it was preserved for the same duties. Two enormous ends to separate tracks on one album?! You bet your bee-hind!

"Give Up the Ghost" and "The Sundowners" are a one-two assault of pure adrenaline, showcasing what Ty Vaughn's bratty vocals can really do. It's obvious Vaughn has matured vocally, and for as much territory he covers here, Stevenson has allowed plenty of room for drummer Josh Baird and bassist Matt Koenig to respectively fire away. "Tonight's Alive" is fueled by Baird's military-style drumbeat and the unified gang vocals that expand the band's knack for big anthems. "The Wake Up Call" and "At the End" tie up the record as two of the band's most sincere moments, leading one to believe that with the Swellers releasing another full-length and Set Your Goals on the mainstream's radar... is pop-punk finally ready to ditch the neon and girl pants? Is pop-punk about to be a legitimate genre once more? If something is low in calories, will I still feel guilty for eating it so much? Ooh, ignore that last one -- it's rhetorical anyway.

Good Views, Bad News is the best pop-punk record of the year, and it's destined to be a classic in the genre as well; slide it alongside all your favorite Drive-Thru releases, because it will end up receiving just as many spins. Broadway Calls have just done the state of Oregon a favor, and crowned themselves the new Northwest kings of pop-punk.

Hail, hail, pop-punk rock & roll.

Set Your Goals; The Riot Before; The Menzingers; The Starting Line; The Swellers; Teenage Bottlerocket

1. Midnight Hour
2. Be All You Can't Be
3. Election Night
4. Basement Royalty
5. To The Sheets
6. Give Up the Ghost
7. The Sundowners
8. Tonight's Alive
9. Best Year
10. The Wake Up Call
11. At the EndTy Vaughn: vocals/guitar
Matt Koenig: bass/vocals
Josh Baird: drums

Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/broadwaycalls) | Official Label Profile (http://sideonedummy.com/bands.php?band_name=Broadway_Calls) Interpunk (http://interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=169898&)

[djsclaus]

I've listened to this album twice and it's already one of my favorites of the year. It's really short, but it's great

leading one to believe that with the Swellers releasing another full-length and Set Your Goals on the mainstream's radar... is pop-punk finally ready to ditch the neon and girl pants? Is pop-punk about to be a legitimate genre once more?
I'm as hopeful as ever. This year is turning out to be amazing for the pop-punk genre

[McIrish]

One side dummy have been on a roll these last two years with signing some pretty good bands. Preordered the t-shirt combo last week.

[meekers]

great band. amazing record. solid people. get into this!!!

[Nathan Lint]

Great review Chris. Knew you would give this a fair score.:-)

Hopefully this band goes from being an '09 sleeper to a '10 breakout. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.

[EchoPark]

another cracker of a review Chris.

This really grabbed me be surprise. I thought it would be another same old heard before album but it really stands out.

[holybuble]

makeme wanna throw up to see atl mentioned on this review. bc are on another planet.
this record>the swellers>syg and everything atl released or will ever release.

[Chris Fallon]

Great review Chris. Knew you would give this a fair score.:-)

Hopefully this band goes from being an '09 sleeper to a '10 breakout. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Good to see ya buddy! I'm gonna be spreading the word on Broadway Calls and The Swellers all year until they score a smash hit. I refuse to let such talented pop-punk that I know would appeal to so many go unheard.

[brandnewsheep]

Nice review, can't wait for the CD :)

[stereokiller]

Good Views, Bad News is the best pop-punk record of the year, and it's destined to be a classic in the genre as well; slide it alongside all your favorite Drive-Thru releases, because it will end up receiving just as many spins. Broadway Calls have just done the state of Oregon a favor, and crowned themselves the new Northwest kings of pop-punk.

Hail, hail, pop-punk rock & roll.
:-0 *going to their myspace page*

[animalfriend]

good album and nice guys, whole package, they desrve more cred

[Gregory Robson]

Yawn! Can't say this inspires me. Decent review though.

[tom_q]

I knew this was going to be amazing, i never had a doubt. The two songs i have heard already are incredible. Seeing them at reading this year and supporting them the week after. I hope they get massive. Also, great review.

[prefix-core]

Solid review, and I most certainly agree with the statement that this sucker has potential to be "pop-punk album of the year." But I hear Green Day, the Loved Ones, and the Ataris in this record more than New Found Glory, All Time Low, etc. I know these were just examples but...Yeah.

That being said? This will most likely be in my Top Five. Easy. Right up there with Dear Landlord. Seriously, Chris, if you haven't heard that album, get on it. I think ya' might dig. :-d

[boscorelli]

such a great album, so glad i started listening to these guys.

[ThisIsNotDan]

can't wait for this to come out. the new shit is so good

[Daigle lol]

Between the Recommended If You Like section and the praise, I think I need to buy whatever releases they've made before this. I'm intrigued.. Very good review.

[ddb43]

Can't wait for this. This should top SYG's new one and maybe anything else this year...maybe.

[Ramon]

So incredibly happy for my buds in Broadway Calls. Ty, Matt, and Josh are all awesome and fucking kill on this album.

They're going to be doing big things with this release, I know it.

[Thomas Nassiff]

One side dummy have been on a roll these last two years with signing some pretty good bands. Preordered the t-shirt combo last week.
link please?

[Keagan Ilvonen]

This album is fantastic. One of the best pop-punk releases this year.

[McIrish]

link please?
http://www.sideonedummy.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SODS&Product_Code=603967139921&Category_Code=BCALLS

[princexero]

pop punk band of the year!!!

[Thomas Nassiff]

http://www.sideonedummy.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SODS&Product_Code=603967139921&Category_Code=BCALLS
cheers.

[npmshah]

Good to see ya buddy! I'm gonna be spreading the word on Broadway Calls and The Swellers all year until they score a smash hit. I refuse to let such talented pop-punk that I know would appeal to so many go unheard.
wow. really great review, Chris. I actually listened to their second album two weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Will defintely check this one out.

[zubinmoosa]

Great review Chris. Can't wait to give this a listen

[exthuse]

Been spinning this album the past fortnight, so so good. Nice, upbeat and catchy. What pop punk should be.

[Blake Solomon]

best band from Iowa i've ever heard

[onegirlarmy]

^They're from Oregon, not Iowa.

[RyanFTW]

Hopefully the fanbase grows quite a bit. One of the few bands that deserves it. They work so fucking hard.

[poppunknerd182]

Great review, great album.

[queenofcrouton]

I'm digging this album; this band is awesome.

[Matt Chylak]

just went through their myspace player. good stuff

[Chris Fallon]

Solid review, and I most certainly agree with the statement that this sucker has potential to be "pop-punk album of the year." But I hear Green Day, the Loved Ones, and the Ataris in this record more than New Found Glory, All Time Low, etc. I know these were just examples but...Yeah.

That being said? This will most likely be in my Top Five. Easy. Right up there with Dear Landlord. Seriously, Chris, if you haven't heard that album, get on it. I think ya' might dig. :-d
They aren't as quite as fast as the Ataris to me, nor are they are pure pop as they were after Blue Skies. Really, it's all perspective ya know. But I think "To The Sheets" is very All Time Low and they carry the same sound as Green Day & NFG did in their early days. Either way, I think we're both on the same page :)

And yes, I love Dear Landlord. They are one of my picks for Absolute 100!

[Blake Solomon]

^They're from Oregon, not Iowa.
ya don't say.

[Protested Hero]

Pre-ordered the album/shirt combo. Great great deal for 10 bucks.

[prefix-core]

They aren't as quite as fast as the Ataris to me, nor are they are pure pop as they were after Blue Skies. Really, it's all perspective ya know. But I think "To The Sheets" is very All Time Low and they carry the same sound as Green Day & NFG did in their early days. Either way, I think we're both on the same page :)

And yes, I love Dear Landlord. They are one of my picks for Absolute 100!
Most definitely all perspective. For my money, they just have too much edge to be likened to All Time Low. I stand by my Ataris statement though. Rough-around-the-edges, but smooth/melodic vocal delivery, muted guitar riffage, big hooks, etc. :-)

[cory-182]

I haven't cared for their previous work, but I do like their song on the Warped compilation.

[Bongi5788]

thought this cd was predictable and boring...in no way better than syg

[JCCC]

Great review until you compared Broadway Calls to All TIme Low.

[grimis16]

man i want to hear this. In my top 5 anticipated albums of 09

[Chris Fallon]

Great review until you compared Broadway Calls to All TIme Low.
The one song sounds a lot like ATL, not the whole thing. It's just the harmonies.

[Chris Fallon]

Most definitely all perspective. For my money, they just have too much edge to be likened to All Time Low. I stand by my Ataris statement though. Rough-around-the-edges, but smooth/melodic vocal delivery, muted guitar riffage, big hooks, etc. :-)
I went back and skimmed over End is Forever, and see some definite similarities. Good ear -- I often forget about them, but that album is solid and certainly contains more of what you're talking about in comparing them to Broadway Calls. I can always count on you!

[DI Pistola]

Goddamn it, I want this now.

[poppunknerd182]

The one song sounds a lot like ATL, not the whole thing. It's just the harmonies.
Looking back on To The Sheets with that comparison, it's quite fair, especially the last 30 seconds.

This band is what I WISHED ATL sounded like haha.

[fadedmemories]

I don't love it, but I like it.

[Chris Fallon]

Looking back on To The Sheets with that comparison, it's quite fair, especially the last 30 seconds.

This band is what I WISHED ATL sounded like haha.
Agreed!

[FreddyKnuckles]

Looking back on To The Sheets with that comparison, it's quite fair, especially the last 30 seconds.

This band is what I WISHED ATL sounded like haha.
first 30 seconds could pass as a cover of Green Day's Maria

[c_rob2700]

I wish more people would give this band a chance. Haven't messed with the leak but with my musical interests drifting further away with the overtly poppy bands these days, I'm happy that there are still great, honest, and hardworking bands making fantastic music.

[owiseone35]

After the first listen i was kind of disappointed by the album to tell the truth. Then something just clicked now i love it. Glad to see some good reviews for this band hope they really come into their own. Anyone else kind of get a old-ataris and greenday vibe?

[Protested Hero]

This album is too good. I love it.

[Losing Streak]

Side One Dummy is starting to shed its personality of being a punk rock nursing home. I'm really looking forward to this album now that I've been introduced to them.

[Paulb-182]

I can't wait for this band to start getting the recognition they deserve

[Broden Terry]

I'm looking forward to giving this record a listen :nod:

[meekers]

so good. so good. so good.

[stereokiller]

After the first listen i was kind of disappointed by the album to tell the truth. Then something just clicked now i love it. Glad to see some good reviews for this band hope they really come into their own. Anyone else kind of get a old-ataris and greenday vibe?
the ataris mention convinced me to hear this.


OFF TOPIC: super stoked for the new Ataris

[DI Pistola]

I hate it that you all have heard this already and I haven't.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

Can't get in to the to the singers voice. They remind me of riddlin kids.

[marky2468]

So Good

[mybreakingpoint]

i really, really need to listen to this.

[KingsCrossing]

They're okay...

[TyBroadwayCalls]

They're okay...
I agree with this person....

Thanks Chris for the rad review. The kind words mean a lot to us!

[prefix-core]

Looking back on To The Sheets with that comparison, it's quite fair, especially the last 30 seconds.

This band is what I WISHED ATL sounded like haha.
Then you, sir, need not ever listen to All Time Low again! Trade in your neon shades, sucka!

[Fooey]

They guy's voice annoys me :/

[samschelfhout2]

I refuse to listen to a band that has a song called "Fuck You Seattle"

M-(

[meekers]

I agree with this person....

Thanks Chris for the rad review. The kind words mean a lot to us!
give him a band member prof.

[poppunknerd182]

Then you, sir, need not ever listen to All Time Low again! Trade in your neon shades, sucka!
Do I have to get rid of all my Glamour Kills shirts too?

:-(

[poppunknerd182]

I refuse to listen to a band that has a song called "Fuck You Seattle"

M-(
IMO that's their best song haha

[meekers]

I refuse to listen to a band that has a song called "Fuck You Seattle"

M-(
why? seattle fucking sucks.

[SwiftSilentDead]

If the rest of this album is as good as the song they just posted then I will love it. Holy shit I am getting impatient.

[TangledUp]

Looking into this one. Great review. I believe I had their first EP? Or whatever they first released, and I liked it.

[ind1ekid]

Great bunch of guys, not got into this album yet, but the last one was pretty solid :)

[f00te]

i cant get enough of this
i keep coming back to it

[Chris Fallon]

why? seattle fucking sucks.
Oh come on, it does not :-d

[f00te]

i keep going back to this album... cant get enought of it!

[Cue the Sun]

I just got this album and I'm completely addicted to it.

[PureBlueSF]

One of my favorite pop punk albums, ever. :-)

[salter2411]

Great review, great album, greatness all round.

[jkim4007]

Ha, this is late but this album and band rules.