PM Today - In Medias Res

[Thomas Nassiff]

PMtoday - In Medias Res
Record Label: Rise Records
Release Date: April 6, 2010

Sometimes the best things come out of the most unlikely of situations. For example, sometimes you'll wake up super early to go to class, then you realize that it's Saturday....but in going outside you were able to take advantage of the guy handing out free Jimmy John's subs on campus. Sometimes you'll walk a mile from your dorm to the freshman parking garage because you want to go to the gym, only to find out the gym closed early that night....but in the process you see a sign that reveals that your local record store is having a 30% off sale the next day. Sometimes, even, you'll get a good album that has been put out by Rise Records. But really, don't bet on that last one.

With In Medias Res, PMtoday, made up of Connor, Ryan, and Cuinn Brogan along with Jerrod Morgan, have given us the best output by a Rise Records band since Dance Gavin Dance's Downtown Battle Mountain. In Medias Res is a concept album telling you the life story of its protagonist, with the recurring theme of "people are machines". PMtoday show a lot of depth for a band who are only putting out their second record, sounding like a clash of some of the best bands in our scene today. The musicianship on In Medias Res has two sides to it that are as clearly different as sushi and chocolate milk, but come together as wonderfully as Saturday afternoons and the Florida Gators scoring touchdowns. In Exhibit A, we hear a group that plays deeply thought-out instrumental portions that are nothing less than beautifully written. This style is shown off on "Thoughts in Transit" and "I Am Wrong". Exhibit B shows a band that can head bang with the best of them, most impressively in "People Are Machines", a four-minute track that's gone as fast as an Arizona tall can. This more rocking side reminds me of heavier portions of Brand New's Deja Entendu, while the vocals throughout In Medias Res show shades of Anthony Green's efforts in Circa Survive.

The group are at their best when they're switching up their sound, going from blistering guitar work to gently woven melodies. The songs on this album are as likely to get you out of your chair dancing as they are to have you head banging in front of your laptop. One song, "Progress is A Lemon", does both phenomenally, as the musical breakdown is the catchiest part of In Medias Res, showing serious talent on the part of whichever Brogan brother takes the lead guitar. The outro on that track features an arena-sized riff that carries into "Don't Exist", which surfaces as the best example of PMtoday transitioning between their light and heavy sound. The aforementioned "People Are Machines" and "Sad World" prove to be the best songs on the album, with very sustained and mature vocals for such a young band. "I Am Wrong" is the most gut-wrenching song here, as we hear about the protagonist's take on his parents' divorce and how it makes him view other women.

In Medias Res has completely swept me off my feet. In a week where I obtained new music from Envy on the Coast, Titus Andronicus, and Cary Brothers, and as I re-discovered albums by Refused, Taking Back Sunday, and Something Corporate with their relevant news stories, PMtoday have held their own on my playlist. In Medias Res has already become one of my favorite records of the year, as it currently sits in my top five of 2010, and I strongly encourage fans of any genre to check it out. In a tornado that sweeps up parts of the best bands out there, PMtoday are sure to showcase something for everyone.

Indie Rock, Circa Survive, Brand New, getting good grades on your Stats exam (I had one of these songs stuck in my head the entire time)
"People Are Machines", "I Am Wrong", "Don't Exist"
1. Thoughts in Transit
2. People Are Machines
3. Goodbye, Blue Monday
4. Progress Is A Lemon
5. Don't Exist
6. I Am Wrong
7. Sad World
8. Soma Holiday
9. Composing A Commercial Product
10. A Convenient Literary Device for Ending Short Stories and Books
Produced By: Kris Crummett (Dance Gavin Dance, Kaddisfly), Run Time: 38 minutes, 45 seconds
myspace.com/pmtodaymusic (http://www.myspace.com/pmtodaymusic)
Purchase (http://new.merchnow.com/products/113469)

[AzureBard]

Love this album, love this band. Your review was amusing and accurate as well, good work.

[D' Evils]

awesome review, great band. ive loved all the work theyve put out though, i am wrong is an amazing song on multiple levels

[aradiantsunrise]

Good review man, This band is so good. When did you become apart of the staff? lol.

[nsenior57]

Great review. I see less of an indie influence than you do and more post-hardcore (i.e. Closure in Moscow), but that's probably because of my musical taste.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Love this album, love this band. Your review was amusing and accurate as well, good work.
Thank you.

awesome review, great band. ive loved all the work theyve put out though, i am wrong is an amazing song on multiple levels
I haven't heard their first release but I'd like to.

Good review man, This band is so good. When did you become apart of the staff? lol.
I was hired in February but my account got changed today.

Great review. I see less of an indie influence than you do and more post-hardcore (i.e. Closure in Moscow), but that's probably because of my musical taste.
I do see some indie influences but I think Circa Survive is the biggest influence on these guys. On this album, at least.

[salem1oliver]

Well written review.

I would be interested to hear what else currently sits in your top 5 of 2010.

[WhatJulianSaid]

I definitely heard a treos influence too idk if anyone else heard that... I don't think they sound like circa at all though besides some of the higher pitched parts, they have a style of their own the way they do things and does anyone know if this was recorded while playing? because it doesn't sound like it was recorded with each member doing their own part...

[WhatJulianSaid]

Great review. I see less of an indie influence than you do and more post-hardcore (i.e. Closure in Moscow), but that's probably because of my musical taste.
closure in moscow isn't post-hardcore dude...

[Un'Aria Ancora]

They've been one of the cooler local bands for years.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Well written review.

I would be interested to hear what else currently sits in your top 5 of 2010.
Hmm, I don't really have an order yet but these are the records I have at the top: The Wonder Years' The Upsides, Titus Andronicus' The Monitor, Motion City Soundtrack's My Dinosaur Life, Four Year Strong's Enemy of the World, Fair's Disappearing World. The Envy on the Coast, Jeff Martin and Steve Padin, She & Him, and Cary Brothers records are great too, a lot of good stuff so far this year. I should start making a list haha

I definitely heard a treos influence too idk if anyone else heard that... I don't think they sound like circa at all though besides some of the higher pitched parts, they have a style of their own the way they do things and does anyone know if this was recorded while playing? because it doesn't sound like it was recorded with each member doing their own part...

It does seem to me like it was recorded individually. And I can see a TREOS vibe I guess.

[Meeze]

Nice review, Tom. I will check this out for sure.

[COREhorizon]

I respect the guys for this album, it just doesn't seem memorable to me in any way. And the Brand New RIYL doesn't make me feel any better about saying that.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Nice review, Tom. I will check this out for sure.
Call me Thomas, haha

[kemichels]

Got this last night! VERY excited to listen later., especially after this review. I hear their earlier release(s) are great as well.

[Bazy0]

Nice review, I need to check these guys out. Gotta disagree with what you said about it being best Rise release since DBM though, DGD's subsequent albums are sick too.

[salem1oliver]

Hmm, I don't really have an order yet but these are the records I have at the top: The Wonder Years' The Upsides, Titus Andronicus' The Monitor, Motion City Soundtrack's My Dinosaur Life, Four Year Strong's Enemy of the World, Fair's Disappearing World. The Envy on the Coast, Jeff Martin and Steve Padin, She & Him, and Cary Brothers records are great too, a lot of good stuff so far this year. I should start making a list haha

The records you have at the top seem similar to mine. I am also really enjoying Angus & Julia Stone, Frightened Rabbit, and The Felix Culpa.

I feel like I am having a hard time keeping up this year and there are many more great releases to come.

[Meeze]

Call me Thomas, haha

No problem, Thomas. Call me Michael :P

[WhatJulianSaid]

to me it sounds like they recorded them just jamming in a room it sounds too organic and jammy to be separate which is something I like and dislike at the same time I guess

[Drow Swordsman]

This album was awesome, but there's too much hate of Rise on here, and while funny (I chuckled), it was a bit of a low blow in this review. Maybe its trendy to hate on Rise right not just because Attack Attack! (and a few others) suck. I hate a lot of the Rise bands, but The Color Morale, For the Fallen Dreams, The Bled, and Oceana are all EXCELLENT.

[Holly HoX!]

Not even one mention of And then the hurricane...???

[_><_]

Great review, will check this out.


Also, congrats on becoming a staff member.

[TwelveTribes230]

Nice review. I actually just put one review up on iTunes that's kinda similar to this. I love how the guitar work is very technical, but is still very catchy and blends nicely with the vocals. I personally would rate it a bit higher though.

[Max_123]

this album is so god damn good

[Color Morale]

just baught it
its fuckin unreal so far

[Thomas Nassiff]

The records you have at the top seem similar to mine. I am also really enjoying Angus & Julia Stone, Frightened Rabbit, and The Felix Culpa.

I feel like I am having a hard time keeping up this year and there are many more great releases to come.
I have to listen to the Angus & Julia Stone record, I've only heard good things about it. Good Old War, The Gaslight Anthem, and Manchester Orchestra are going to make it difficult for me to pinpoint a #1 album, plus Tigers Jaw, Title Fight, Man Overboard, and many more have full-lengths due out.

This album was awesome, but there's too much hate of Rise on here, and while funny (I chuckled), it was a bit of a low blow in this review. Maybe its trendy to hate on Rise right not just because Attack Attack! (and a few others) suck. I hate a lot of the Rise bands, but The Color Morale, For the Fallen Dreams, The Bled, and Oceana are all EXCELLENT.
I do like me some Color Morale. The Bled are terrible in my opinion.

Not even one mention of And then the hurricane...???
Never heard it.

Great review, will check this out.


Also, congrats on becoming a staff member.
Thank you.

[i_am_near_main]

Definitely hear LOTS of Circa Survive influence on this album.

[encmetalhead]

"en medias res" in short stories means right in the action/skipping the exposition ;)

[Thomas Nassiff]

"en medias res" in short stories means right in the action/skipping the exposition ;)
Noted.

[JimmyAveningo]

this album is fantastic but I agree that there is too much Rise hate. The new Oceana, Tides of Man, and The Bled records were all REALLY good. The hate shouldn't be focused on Rise, it should be focused on the dumbass kids who like devil wears prada and T-shirts with the same cartoon bubble letters and stupid bright animals all over them. ANYWAYS this album is wonderful and prob #2 on my list after the new envy album which is phenomenal.

[D' Evils]

Thank you.


I haven't heard their first release but I'd like to.

you have to man, its a bit heavier and the vocals are diff

[dash64]

I listened to a few songs from their first album, but this seems more creative. Definitely like it!

[Thomas Nassiff]

you have to man, its a bit heavier and the vocals are diff
It being heavier seems enticing.

[jtjt43]

Well written review, will check this out. Congrats on becoming staff.

[notmrblond234]

Great review, I agree they work best when switching up the sound. Altogether, i think this was a great release for a label like Rise and I think there is some serious talent here. 7/10.

[boscorelli]

the vocals are just...nasty on this. not sure how people don't get irritated by them rather quickly.

[phillipjacob]

love the review. loving the album, perfect for this warm weather

[Ryan Gardner]

Good review, this album is amazing.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Well written review, will check this out. Congrats on becoming staff.
Thank you.

the vocals are just...nasty on this. not sure how people don't get irritated by them rather quickly.
I completely and wholeheartedly disagree.

[tyramail]

good review. this album was a pleasant surprise for me.

[SomedayTheFire]

Sweeeeet review. Really like the album, love the vocals.

[Chris92]

Wot?? Rec'd if you like BN?
Consider me interested lol...

[Holly HoX!]

I have to listen to the Angus & Julia Stone record, I've only heard good things about it. Good Old War, The Gaslight Anthem, and Manchester Orchestra are going to make it difficult for me to pinpoint a #1 album, plus Tigers Jaw, Title Fight, Man Overboard, and many more have full-lengths due out.


I do like me some Color Morale. The Bled are terrible in my opinion.


Never heard it.


Thank you.
Ahhh.....I didn't think you would say that. It's their first album...ouch. Better get that.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Wot?? Rec'd if you like BN?
Consider me interested lol...
I figured that might have that effect on some people.

[low_rising]

nice review man u hit the head of the nail on this one just what i was thinking i can really hear the circa influence on the album

[Chris92]

I figured that might have that effect on some people.
Yeah well...I'm a bit of a Brand New freak. If you wanna get my attention, pretty much just say RIYL: Brand New, Springsteen, Death Cab or The Replacements. I'll be on it pronto haha...congrats again on being made staff! You definitely deserve it.

[barkingincision]

there really isnt much if any circa survive influence on this record. just because he has high pitched vocals...? the guitar work isnt really similar at all, and you cant compare everybody to anthony green...
id say these dudes sound a lot like pierce the veils old band before today except less punk, with some closure in moscow and daphne loves derby thrown in. youre sort of right about the downtown battle mountain thing though. props.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Yeah well...I'm a bit of a Brand New freak. If you wanna get my attention, pretty much just say RIYL: Brand New, Springsteen, Death Cab or The Replacements. I'll be on it pronto haha...congrats again on being made staff! You definitely deserve it.
Thanks dude.

[MD&theKidsTable]

good review, dude. as for the album, into it.

[Thomas Nassiff]

good review, dude. as for the album, into it.
Thanks, brother. Yeah it's kind of a good thing to hold user over until Blue Sky Noise.

[PmCarlay]

This is a fantastic review. I feel like you did them justice. They've been going at this for a while and it's so great to finally see them getting recognized :)

[dru]

this record is fucking great. good review haha

[owiseone35]

"en medias res" in short stories means right in the action/skipping the exposition ;)
Yo man you go to ECU and you learned what en media res is ha ha, your in my short stories class aren't you. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:45.

[Thomas Nassiff]

This is a fantastic review. I feel like you did them justice. They've been going at this for a while and it's so great to finally see them getting recognized :)
Thanks dude!

[jco3]

I guess I'm in the minority on this one, I just thought the album was okay... Nothing special. Plus, the vocals did get a bit annoying.

[aradiantsunrise]

Thank you.


I haven't heard their first release but I'd like to.


I was hired in February but my account got changed today.


I do see some indie influences but I think Circa Survive is the biggest influence on these guys. On this album, at least.
Ah, good for you man!

[MD&theKidsTable]

Thanks, brother. Yeah it's kind of a good thing to hold user over until Blue Sky Noise.
fer sher. i'm too stoked for it.

[Young Machetes]

Love this album. This and Secret & Whisper are hitting the post-hardcore spot right now.

[encmetalhead]

Yo man you go to ECU and you learned what en media res is ha ha, your in my short stories class aren't you. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:45.
Haha yup i'm in that class. Small world, aye?

[bassman22291]

I hope these guys never quit making such great music.

[tizabor]

Not usually in to music like this, but my tastes have been changing. I will be checking this out! Thanks!

[Thomas Nassiff]

Not usually in to music like this, but my tastes have been changing. I will be checking this out! Thanks!
Awesome. Yeah if you had told me three years ago that I would be listening to stuff like this I would have laughed at you. At that point in my life it was all All Time Low and Green Day and Motion City haha. Two of those bands still rock, ATL gtfo.

[jimmyjames2306]

You should forsure pick up there old CD too! Its called "and then the hurricane". Absolutly amazing!

[ryanwilcox]

i'll definitely check this out.

[Brett9]

Never heard of this band before the AP exclusive stream. So glad I decided to check them out - this album is amazing...slowly becoming one of my favorites so far this year.

[Whatiscameron]

good review.

[Thomas Nassiff]

good review.
Thank you.

[whorobj]

this is really good

[Vanedarlingg]

Call me Thomas, haha
hahaha oh man, god knows you dont like Tom. :P

[YBF]

Amazing band.

[Handraa]

Good review.

Never heard of this band before the AP exclusive stream. So glad I decided to check them out - this album is amazing...slowly becoming one of my favorites so far this year.

Haha I can tell by your avatar haha.

[Thomas Nassiff]

hahaha oh man, god knows you dont like Tom. :P
;-)

[xaleb]

good album, good review. props to Rise for once (lets hope they sign other good bands)

[Meeze]

i've been mad into this album. my favorite song is "Progress Is A Lemon." now, i know i am gonna get a lot of heat for this, but the last song has a part that sounds sooooo much like Watchout! There's Ghost....just saying

[Thomas Nassiff]

i've been mad into this album. my favorite song is "Progress Is A Lemon." now, i know i am gonna get a lot of heat for this, but the last song has a part that sounds sooooo much like Watchout! There's Ghost....just saying
:redcard:

[Meeze]

:redcard:
seriously SERIOUSLY! check out the part from 2:50-2:58 of "A Convenient Literary Device..." and 2:42-2:48 of W!TG's "Beautiful Goodbye" and tell me u don't hear it. their singers sound A LOT alike.

[xName Takenx]

to me it sounds like they recorded them just jamming in a room it sounds too organic and jammy to be separate which is something I like and dislike at the same time I guess
my ONLY complaint about this album. They need to cut all of the songs by about a minute. They just seem to get lost, and they end up repeating the same lyric over and over (they do this in people are machines and a couple others AT LEAST). A little more direction on closing the song out would make them a little tighter.

My initial thought on influence was Muse meets DGD, don't see the circa in here much at all....

[SweetThye]

This album is surprisingly fantastic. Definitely download "Sad World" first. Best song on the album.

[xapplexpiex]

I was at Hot Topic last night, I remembered this great review, and decided to pick it up (on sale for only $10). It's playing now and I love it. I can totally hear the Circa Survive in the songs. Thanks, man.

[circasurvivor91]

Good review.
I had high hopes for this record and it nearly reached them.
The main thing I disliked was the recurring lyrical themes.
Cohesion maybe? No, seemed like the album had a lot of repetition.
The musicianship, however, has matured from the last release yet remained very tight sounding.
I enjoyed my first listen through but didn't find myself returning to it much since then.

[Thomas Nassiff]

I was at Hot Topic last night, I remembered this great review, and decided to pick it up (on sale for only $10). It's playing now and I love it. I can totally hear the Circa Survive in the songs. Thanks, man.
Haha thanks! No problem.

[MALKiiN]

the vocals are a little to whiny sounding at times, but i like it. solid record

[more heart]

Love this record.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Love this record.
I couldn't tell by your avatar.

[more heart]

I couldn't tell by your avatar.
Well I didn't want to make it too obvious. Had to throw people off just a bit ;-)

[ultragabe]

this is a fricken gem! where the hell did these guys come from?! incredible album. musicianship is through the roof. the vocals are a bit much at times, but still very carefully crafted. the concept is a little overdone, but i appreciate the effort. too bad no one is going to know about this one until it's off into obscurityland.

[PureBlueSF]

This is a great album, but I don't think it'll sell too well purely because Rise does a really shitty job promoting their bands. Well, they promote the shit out of bands like Attack Attack!, but anyone who isn't Attack Attack! is generally left in the dust. Hell, even well-known bands on Rise like The Bled and From First To Last had little to no promotion for their new albums. Ugh.

Also, good review :D

[mrnichols]

this has actually been sort of hard to get into for me. i know it's stupid but how much the singer says 'i' bugs me so much

[Nick Le]

I love this record. I bought it last month when I was at Hot Topic and just saw it. Not gonna lie, haha, I went on here, read your review, and thought guess I'll just check it out. Was not disappointed.

[Spartan789013]

I do see some indie influences but I think Circa Survive is the biggest influence on these guys. On this album, at least.

First off, I got my late pass.

Second, I see vocally how Circa Survive and PM Today are comparable, and it seems like I hear more of In Aviate in these guys than Circa Survive.

Just throwing that out there.

[cwhit412]

First off, I got my late pass.

Second, I see vocally how Circa Survive and PM Today are comparable, and it seems like I hear more of In Aviate in these guys than Circa Survive.

Just throwing that out there.
Their vocals sound so much better on this album than the first one.
And I agree.

[iloveanimals]

solid album from an underrated band