Scott Weber
06/08/06, 10:13 AM
Run Kid Run - This is Who We Are
Release Date: May 16, 2006
Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Overall Score: [8.0]
June may have just begun, but Run Kid Run has brought summer to us a little early this year. One of Tooth & Nail’s latest offerings, Run Kid Run’s debut album is a surprisingly refreshing mixture of melody, cheer, and energy. Separating themselves from the pack with a message of hope and promise for the future, Run Kid Run often avoids typical pop-punk music cliché’s about girls and heartbreak by leaning in the direction of an uplifting message in a spiritual nature. Make no mistake, this band is out to play for God, and they don’t hide their message on this record. While at times the lyrics are blunt as can be, the hooks are big enough to make the record enjoyable to anyone, no matter what their personal affliction is. And chances are, they’ll find themselves humming along to 10 fantastic choruses.
Run Kid Run has a true gift for constructing memorable songs. While many bands in this genre write songs that stick initially and fade fast, Run Kid Run’s song structures are basic but are emphasized by absolutely gigantic choruses (read: Cartel). All it takes is one listen to have many of the songs on this record memorized, yet they prove lasting over time. “The Call Out” is the strongest track on the record, combining well-crafted verses with an anthemic chorus. The album’s later tracks tend to steer towards more spiritual, as songs like “I’ll Forever Sing” have lines as clear as “I’ll worship you Lord, forever.” This is Who We Are often comes off as a worship CD disguised under a pop-punk façade. This may put off some listeners, but if you’re willing to simply enjoy sing along to catchy music without any real concern for lyrics, then this is an album for you.
While the vocals aren’t perfect, the music isn’t groundbreaking and the lyrics cheesy at times, Run Kid Run has put forth a surprisingly solid debut release. Everything is executed well, and the album packs that overall crunch listeners have come to expect from producer James Paul Wisner. Sometimes, an album’s fun factor outweighs every flaw that you’d expect to bring an album’s enjoyment level down, and this is definitely the case with Run Kid Run. The songs are enjoyable without being spoon-fed, and the lyrics, while not outstanding, are certainly a thousand times better than label mate Hawk Nelson. One of the year’s finest pop-punk CDs, this record will have a good chunk of lasting value for its genre. If you like Cartel and Hawk Nelson, then you’ll enjoy this record.
Release Date: May 16, 2006
Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Overall Score: [8.0]
June may have just begun, but Run Kid Run has brought summer to us a little early this year. One of Tooth & Nail’s latest offerings, Run Kid Run’s debut album is a surprisingly refreshing mixture of melody, cheer, and energy. Separating themselves from the pack with a message of hope and promise for the future, Run Kid Run often avoids typical pop-punk music cliché’s about girls and heartbreak by leaning in the direction of an uplifting message in a spiritual nature. Make no mistake, this band is out to play for God, and they don’t hide their message on this record. While at times the lyrics are blunt as can be, the hooks are big enough to make the record enjoyable to anyone, no matter what their personal affliction is. And chances are, they’ll find themselves humming along to 10 fantastic choruses.
Run Kid Run has a true gift for constructing memorable songs. While many bands in this genre write songs that stick initially and fade fast, Run Kid Run’s song structures are basic but are emphasized by absolutely gigantic choruses (read: Cartel). All it takes is one listen to have many of the songs on this record memorized, yet they prove lasting over time. “The Call Out” is the strongest track on the record, combining well-crafted verses with an anthemic chorus. The album’s later tracks tend to steer towards more spiritual, as songs like “I’ll Forever Sing” have lines as clear as “I’ll worship you Lord, forever.” This is Who We Are often comes off as a worship CD disguised under a pop-punk façade. This may put off some listeners, but if you’re willing to simply enjoy sing along to catchy music without any real concern for lyrics, then this is an album for you.
While the vocals aren’t perfect, the music isn’t groundbreaking and the lyrics cheesy at times, Run Kid Run has put forth a surprisingly solid debut release. Everything is executed well, and the album packs that overall crunch listeners have come to expect from producer James Paul Wisner. Sometimes, an album’s fun factor outweighs every flaw that you’d expect to bring an album’s enjoyment level down, and this is definitely the case with Run Kid Run. The songs are enjoyable without being spoon-fed, and the lyrics, while not outstanding, are certainly a thousand times better than label mate Hawk Nelson. One of the year’s finest pop-punk CDs, this record will have a good chunk of lasting value for its genre. If you like Cartel and Hawk Nelson, then you’ll enjoy this record.