Story of the Year - The Constant

[Drew Beringer]

Story of the Year - The Constant
Release Date: February 16, 2010
Record Label: Epitaph

“If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” That’s the philosophy Story of the Year has subscribed to since breaking out with their gold debut album, 2003’s Page Avenue. 7 years later, the St. Louis quintet have switched labels (from major Maverick to indie-powerhouse Epitaph) and released albums that added in new quirks, but overall the band has maintained the same direction: loud and fast rock anthems that get your heart pumping.

That isn’t to say the band hasn’t fine-tuned their craft. Their fourth studio album (second for Epitaph), The Constant continues the precedent set by previous albums, featuring the big riffs and melodies we’ve come to expect, yet it rarely gets stale. The title is fitting, since the band has been pretty consistent with their music since Page. And just like the three previous albums, the energy seeps out of The Constant’s pores throughout, as guitarists Ryan Phillips and Philip Sneed try to keep up with vocalist Dan Marsala’s pace.

In fact, if you have ever seen SOTY live, you know for a fact that the energy never dies, and that’s something the band tries to replicate on every album. “The Ghost of You and I” is a perfect representation of this. The chorus is just begging you to pogo along with it, as this track will definitely be a live staple.

First single “I’m Alive” is your typical radio rock fare, making it the weakest track on the album, but “To The Burial” quickly picks up the slack. SOTY flex their muscles on the track, as it’ll make you want to brawl with Godsmack fans. “The Dream Is Over” is very Page Avenue friendly, while “Remember a Time” sounds like Weezer trying to incite a mosh pit.

The album awkwardly enters the power ballad lane with “Holding On To You.” The intentions are good, but the execution is poor. Thankfully, it feels like that song never happened once “Won Threw Ate” blasts through the speakers. Sounding like something out of the “Fire” portion of The Alchemy Index, Marsala burns the place down with his scorching vocals. The song proves that when SOTY wants to be heavy, they can really bring it. It just makes you wish they brought it like this more often.

While The Constant gets off to a slow start with the first few tracks, the second half really shines. “Ten Years Down” is incredibly catchy, and final track “Eye For An Eye” is SOTY going balls out. Musically, the band has always been talented, making up for the average at best lyricism. If anything, The Constant comes across as a more focused The Black Swan. This is a genuinely fun album to rock out to – nothing more, nothing less - thus serving as the perfect pick-me-up during the bitter winter months ahead. While Story of the Year won’t win any originality awards any time soon, they definitely still know how to bring a party to your speakers.

Track Listing:
1. The Children Sing
2. The Ghost of You and I
3. I’m Alive
4. To The Burial
5. The Dream Is Over
6. Remember a Time
7. Holding on to You
8. Won Threw Ate
9. Ten Years Down
10. Time Goes On
11. Eye For An Eye
Produced by: Elvis Baskette

Story of the Year is:
Dan Marsala – vocals
Ryan Phillips – guitar
Philip Sneed – guitar/vocals
Adam Russell – bass/vocals
Josh Wills – drums

Official Website (http://www.storyoftheyear.net); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/storyoftheyear); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/storyoftheyear)

[gr33ndayfr3ak]

I'm imagining Weezer sounding like they're trying to start a mosh pit, and the idea sounds pretty damn awesome haha.
I'm excited to hear this.

[introduction]

i'll probably like your review more than the album.

[pwnt.]

Stoked to hear the album. Good review.

[prefix-core]

I'm looking forward to this album--more than I would like to admit. Haha. Great review...Although, I would disagree that they haven't change since Page Avenue...But that might just be the over-production on that particular album overshadowing the actual songs.

[NateFoundGlory]

I want, I love me some SOTY. Great review.

[zachff]

Page Avenue was one of my favorite albums a few years ago, but I really couldn't get into Black Swan or anything else after that.

[SunnyInPhilly]

I've loved every SOTY album so far, so if you say they're consistent on this one, that's a good thing.

[xapplexpiex]

I actually enjoyed Black Swan and Page Avenue. I might check this out. Oh, and I love the LOST reference.

[Ryan Gardner]

I'm very excited to hear this. Love these guys.

[Memphis]

glad to read this, looking forward to the new album

[threepunchjim]

it pleases me that they scored better than TBS. Not that the score's relevant, but still.

[perceptrons]

I like the album art.

[kabir]

Quiero escucharlo

[invincibleXL]

Page was awesome, Determination was solid, and Black Swan had some good tracks but it was probably my least favorite from them. Maybe my tastes have changed, but I'm still looking forward to this album and hopefully it delivers with the same replay value that their first 2 albums had.

[NateFoundGlory]

In the tracklist, you have it as "Who Threw Ate". Typo?

[Thomas Nassiff]

i really am interested to hear this. i've liked them for a while but for some reason i never got that into the black swan.

[*Ro']

Good to see reviews of albums that haven't leaked yet, it's been a while.

[x13looDx]

Didn't even know this was coming out. They've been solid since page so i'll probably enjoy this

[Kaku]

Good to hear they won't be flamed. They never intended to be, as I often say, sophisticated, but making music which you like to listen and have fun.
Anywho, "The Constant" looks like typical SotY, so I will enjoy it. :D

[Alexx Miller]

Nice review, I can't wait for this to be released.

[Viva Sonata]

I'd like a DVD from these guys at some point soon. Those always kick ass.


Can't wait for the album.

[Mattylikesfilms]

Page was awesome, Determination was solid, and Black Swan had some good tracks but it was probably my least favorite from them. Maybe my tastes have changed, but I'm still looking forward to this album and hopefully it delivers with the same replay value that their first 2 albums had.

i would not count on it.


Everything I have heard from this band post-wake has been not really good at all IMO. Ill give the album a spin and see how i like it. I'd like to be proven wrong.

[rockandsemo]

looking forward to hear this new album and to add it to my soty collection ^^. good review. Gives me hope for a good new album in 2010 from a great band

[Mattylikesfilms]

“The Dream Is Over” is very Page Avenue friendly, while “Remember a Time” sounds like Weezer trying to incite a mosh pit.


that does not sound good? hah

[BozzBlonde]

Album art is really different from what I expected.
But I can't wait to hear the album. I probably won't buy the physical copy, but I'll get it for sure.

[Kaku]

And the cover has some similarites to the new Number One Guns album "To The Secrets And Knowledge".
Both have overlapping circles in the foreground.

[love_american_style]

still like this this band.

[ilovesofie]

Page Avenue was so fucking crazy, I thought the Black Swan was great too. A few fillers but I liked it a lot more than determination so now that it looks like this record is gonna to be better, i'm pretty stoked.

[bobcatbob18]

I'd like a DVD from these guys at some point soon. Those always kick ass.


Can't wait for the album.

Their dvd's kick so much ass. I watch them both all the time. I'm pumped for the new album but the 2 tracks on their myspace haven't impressed me much. The way you describe a few songs gives me more hope for what I have yet to hear.

[Chris92]

I hated Black Swan and liked a lot of In the Wake.
Will I like this?

[tD77]

Good review, Drew. Kinda reminds me of the review I wrote for The Black Swan in my university's paper. Sounds like the new album will maintain the flavor of tracks started on Page Avenue and exercised in The Black Swan.

[Drew Beringer]

“The Dream Is Over” is very Page Avenue friendly, while “Remember a Time” sounds like Weezer trying to incite a mosh pit.


that does not sound good? hah
It's weird, it's a song that had to warm up to me. Like during the verses and chorus the tone and tempo of the guitars reminds me of something Weezer would do, and then right after the chorus the bands and drums go into "breakdown/beatdown" mode. It oddly works.

[rawspinner]

It's weird, it's a song that had to warm up to me. Like during the verses and chorus the tone and tempo of the guitars reminds me of something Weezer would do, and then right after the chorus the bands and drums go into "breakdown/beatdown" mode. It oddly works.

could you rate the records in comparsion to each other? I read a review when IWOD came out that said the album was very very poor. However, I think it was something like Blender or something, so maybe it was just talking about the marketablility of the album, or how the music would appeal to the manistream. What's your opinion of In Wake of Determination?

[brothaman]

i love the shit outta this band, so i cant wait for this. it will be tough to top black swan, which was amazing.

[Underadeadsky]

If you like Drew's review and the first two songs, "I'm Alive" and "To The Burial," released from the album on their MySpace (www.myspace.com/storyoftheyear) show your support and pre-order the album here: http://www.kingsroadmerch.com/epitaph-records/

[Nick Le]

Looking forward to hearing this.

[brokenwings]

"SOTY flex their muscles on the track, as it’ll make you want to brawl with Godsmack fans."
haha, nice reference.
i just wish the band would stop playing it safe and just release a really good heavy album

[S9Dallasoz]

Love SOTY, love chicken marsala.
Ready for this.

[sweepthenation]

I kinda grew out of these guys but I may check it out again. I was majorly turned off when I saw them at Warped 2 years ago and every fan was a guido. Not even kidding

Edit: And yes the concert was in Jersey

[Mario57]

Stoked for this, but for sure i don't want another "The Black Swan".

[anthonydarko]

Can't wait to hear this.

[M.C COB]

One of the best live shows I have seen

[ramomcferno]

Excited about getting to listen to this.

[Mattylikesfilms]

It's weird, it's a song that had to warm up to me. Like during the verses and chorus the tone and tempo of the guitars reminds me of something Weezer would do, and then right after the chorus the bands and drums go into "breakdown/beatdown" mode. It oddly works.

haha that does sound insanely odd. I guess ill have to wait and listen to it.

[HometownHero]

i'll probably like your review more than the album.
I hate posting this but....This

[4N6 science]

I've been a fan since day 1 and I really enjoy this groups albums. I will definitely pick this up.

[Drew Beringer]

I hate posting this but....This
you could post "that" :-p

[ManInMusicBox]

i love the shit outta this band, so i cant wait for this. it will be tough to top black swan, which was amazing.
Finally someone to say that. Black Swan owned. In The Wake had a few good tracks but definitely not as great as some people think; it really sounded bland to me. I remember reading an article about the recording process and they said that they were scared about being dropped. I think they tried to hard with "In The Wake" which is why I am not a fan. But when I listened to "Black Swan" I became very happy. Of the 2 songs only "In The Burial" has excited me. I do like the other but heh....I want another "Choose Your Fate". I also think this might be their last possibly with everyone in the band now having another band but who knows...solid band IMO.

[Big_Guy]

their second album was easily their best.

[Corgkowznor]

Excellent review, I will definitely be picking this album up.

[Steeeve Perry]

"make you want to brawl with Godsmack fans"
Love it haha! Story of the Year are one of my favourite modern bands and their lack of originality is less of a factor for me because I don't listen to too many similar acts.
Their live show blew me away initially, and since then I've always supported them.
Page Avenue was a little too Used-ish for me, but their last two have been awesome. Hope this one can continue the trend.

Also Drew, you mention the (not surprisingly) sub-par lyricism. What is the lyrical focus of this album?
On the Black Swan I felt SOTY tried to branch out lyrically, speaking about a topic that has always fascinated me, the idea life is barely significant in the greater scheme of things.

[StartAngry&Mad]

"SOTY flex their muscles on the track, as it’ll make you want to brawl with Godsmack fans."
haha, nice reference.
i just wish the band would stop playing it safe and just release a really good heavy album
We can only wish!

[pbueddi]

Page Avenue was one of my favorite albums a few years ago, but I really couldn't get into Black Swan or anything else after that.
...there was nothing after the black swan.

[Twitch110]

Finally someone to say that. Black Swan owned. In The Wake had a few good tracks but definitely not as great as some people think; it really sounded bland to me. I remember reading an article about the recording process and they said that they were scared about being dropped. I think they tried to hard with "In The Wake" which is why I am not a fan. But when I listened to "Black Swan" I became very happy. Of the 2 songs only "In The Burial" has excited me. I do like the other but heh....I want another "Choose Your Fate". I also think this might be their last possibly with everyone in the band now having another band but who knows...solid band IMO.
I'm with both of you! It drives me nuts that people don't like black swan, cause i think it's their freakin best! I can rock out to every single song and get an eargasm. I feel like black swan is popular to hate, but i'm still completely dumbfounded as to why. It's one of my top rock albums ever. And i'm with you, i pray there is another choose your fate on this album. So effin sick!

[permanent]

I really loved In The Wake of Determination. The Black Swan was alright but not great. Curious to hear how this stacks up against the two.

[ZeoVGM]

Excited to hear. Black Swan was WITHOUT QUESTION their best album.

I guess since it's heavier and less whiny, it gets more hate.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

ehh, i can't really get into them but I dno't hate them at all. I just hate the lack of growth and they're consistency. Anyways, I will listen and might like. They don't write bad songs at all.

[CarouselBoy]

I really liked Black Swan and I've been looking forward to this release since I first found out about it. Can't wait for 2/16

[codyskidmore]

nicely written review, as usual. can't wait to hear it. The Black Swan was good.

[sadieippolito]

Story of the Year desirve a way better review than this. Every album gets stronger in every aspect and i know that this one will be amazing. If "I'm Alive" is the weakest song, i know its going to rock because i enjoyed that song immensly.

[NateFoundGlory]

Story of the Year desirve a way better review than this. Every album gets stronger in every aspect and i know that this one will be amazing. If "I'm Alive" is the weakest song, i know its going to rock because i enjoyed that song immensly.

His review is just fine. He likes the cd, he just thinks "I'm Alive" is a cookie-cutter (albiet decent) modern rock radio song.

[Jamos4184]

I'll definitely check this out. I loved Page Avenue back in the day, was very disappointed with Determination (minus a few songs), and I was pleasantly surprised by Black Swan (not that it was great, but I felt it was better than Determination and a return to what Story of the Year was best at). Hopefully, this is a continuation in that direction. Based on this review it sounds like that's the case.

[splitsecond]

only drewb has the bro-itude to review an album this epic

[MILFCORE]

I enjoyed the black swan. Will check this one out.

[ManInMusicBox]

i still, to this day since release, play tracks 4 and 5 a whole bunch. those two flow so well together and the end guitar of part 5 is sick. black swan has so many tracks where they being to shift at the last 10 seconds, like a new guitar verse that sounds like it is leading into the next song, which it isn't. if they took the change in guitar at the end of the tracks and made them into a whole song that would be sick! get it because i think i just confused myself...

[TKTKrob]

I actually enjoyed Black Swan and Page Avenue. I might check this out. Oh, and I love the LOST reference.
my roommate has your avatar tattooed on his leg. go lost!

[xapplexpiex]

my roommate has your avatar tattooed on his leg. go lost!
This made my day.

[CRDPats12]

Can't help it...I drink the SOTY kool-aid. Page Avenue is a classic, but they almost lost me with Determination. With that said, The Black Swan was rediculous...they tightened it up really well, and we should commend them on making music both they and their fans love, than just trying to sell records.

Can't wait for The Constant...so far it's sounding like The Black Swan, Part II. But I'm fine with that.

[Kido]

I'm Alive is a great song, so gotta disagree with you there.

[Argentine]

This seems gooood. Will check it out. good review btw.

[icynova]

Glad to hear these guys are still kickin'.

[thecomingweak]

I'm looking forward to this album--more than I would like to admit. Haha. Great review...Although, I would disagree that they haven't change since Page Avenue...But that might just be the over-production on that particular album overshadowing the actual songs.
word. over production, but quite a good record.
- tim

[thecomingweak]

good tune, gotta check out the new record.
- tim

[xjdizzle]

I think this will be better than a 75 percent...

[nathaniel]

I'm very excited to pick this album up. Story of the Year has consistently released quality, incredible sounding albums and I'm sure this one will be the same.

[ihavechappedlip]

I still don't understan why people didn't like The Black Swan..

[tcm3i]

"To the Burial" is so powerful and I still like "I'm Alive" but it's not as good. I can't wait. Good review.

[badassfractal]

so lucky, he got to listen to it other a month before release

[PMFtheman]

I'm not a huge fan of the band but I decided to take a listen to the album. I actually think the album starts off awesome; the first 3 songs are fantastic and they even had me excited to listen to the whole thing. Those songs are a unique blend of metallic riffs, and catchy melodies.

Then, the album turns arena rock for a song, and then with two soft songs in a row, I was expecting "One Threw Ate" to be blistering. Well, it was a good song that sounded even better because of it's location on the albut, but not good enough to redeem the average middle section of the album.

The last song tries to be hardcore meets punk meets SOTY but in my opinion, it fails. This album is a 7.5/10. I will say that if you love the band, and love the vocals then you probably will like this album; but as a non-fan, it didnt convert me over even though 'The Children Sing' sure tried to with it's awesome chorus sung by a childrens choir. But all in all, it's a decent album with too few standouts for me.

[Betrayal Five]

I am very impressed, thus far, with this album. I like all their albums so it's no real surprise for me. I really am digging "The Children Sing", love the chorus.

[xcapewinterlake]

I''ve listened to the entire album and I'm not disappointed. You are correct in your review in that they are not groundbreaking, but they clearly honor their sound in every album they put out. I think that the first few tracks are redundant, the opening is cool though. I'm just glad they don't sound like some of these other watered down bands. Overall, it's worth listening to. Fans of the band will appreciate this album, I was just hoping for something a little more experimental or bold.

[Kaku]

Is it just me or does sound "Times Goes On" just like "Turn Up The Radio" in the beginning?
Anyway, I like it so far. I preorded via iTunes and I hope the 2 bonus tracks are good as well. After the first few listenings I like "The Ghost Of You And I" and "The Dream Is Over" the most.

In the end a solid and worthy SotY album.

[James RE Hughey]

I wanted to write a review of this album when I got the chance to sit down and do it, but THIS review besically says what I would say. I may still do it for the heck of it.

I have to agree with the people here though saying Black Swan was better than it is getting credit for. I thought Page was great and then they came out with The Wake of... and to me they did the opposite of most of their punk/posthardcore/emorock peers and instead of being softer and more friendly that album blistered through with a violent attack that I was happy to see. Maybe it is just me being wrong, but Wake Of totally caught me off guard and then Black Swan followed suit. This album sounds like the same thing for the most part and I love it.

[Forgotten Fall]

Great Review, I'm listening to the stream right now on their myspace page. So far the album is everything I expected it to be and some (I'm on "I'm Alive" right now). SOTY definate has musical and lyrical talent. I'm about to go and pick it up whenever I get the chance (probally closest time I can get it is the 22nd).

[not.sad.anymore]

Page Avenue is one of my all time favorite albums, but I haven't bought a SOTY album since then. I was very skeptical about The Constant, but after listening to it right now, I am very excited to buy it. Whatever they did different this time worked for me.

[Thomas Nassiff]

i just re-read this review because i bought the album today....but man that's a low score for production. i would give the production and 8.5 at least, it sounds awesome. really crisp.

[Jamos4184]

Wasn't expecting much at all from this, and yet every time they release an album, I give it a shot. I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I'm enjoying this. Really didn't care for much from Determination and Black Swan wasn't much better. Solid review for a decent album.

[PureBlueSF]

I think In The Wake of Determination and The Black Swan were their best albums, but this album is still really solid.

[unlikelyhero437]

I have to say I've fallen in love with this album. The lyrics on "The Children Sing", plus it's unbelievably catchy chorus, are amazing. "The Ghost of You and I", "Ten Years Down", and "Time Goes On" are awesome songs as well. Completely agree with the review though..."I'm Alive" is one of those songs that sounds like every other top-50 rock song known to man, and I'm not crazy about "Holding on to You", either.

So all in all, it's become one of my (current) favorite albums and represents complete awesomeness. :-d

[vale93kotor]

Good review

[randys950]

not enough screaming for my liking