Rory - We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good

[Tony Pascarella]

Rory - We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good
Release Date: September 12, 2006
Record Label: 111 Records

Rory’s long-awaited full-length debut, We’re Up To No Good, We’re Up To No Good is an album that for some may be buried on release lists, but will end up one of my favorite releases this year. It’s startlingly technical for the genre, but the songs remain melodic and accessible, the choruses wide-ranging and fascinatingly addictive. With We’re Up To No Good, We’re Up To No Good, they shatter the predictability of most pop-punk releases with a hammer and leave everyone else to pick up the pieces.

To prove they’re not just a guitar and drums kind of band, guitarist Chris Moore provides a mid-tempo cello accompaniment in the infectious “Doing Lines of Conga.” If it were a violin, Yellowcard’s Sean Mackin would be jealous. Jeremy Menard’s vocals are a bit harsher than expected, but it gives the song a raw sound in the vein of Gatsby’s American Dream. The sonic attack doesn’t end here, with “Kind of Like Chloroformity” rating a 10 on the energy meter for its fanatic drumming courtesy of Joel Setzer, not to mention the catchy sing-along chorus. The only song that really seems to have too much downtime is “Your Will or Whatever,” but it’s quickly picked up by the infectious refrain to follow in “The Adventures of Me and Me.”

What makes We’re Up To No Good, We’re Up To No Good so outstanding is the fire—the soaring high octane vocals, the brusque guitar/bass combos, the diverse drumming—it all links together superbly. Not to say this album is for the hard-asses only; for all of the edginess, it is also one of the most danceable CDs I’ve heard this year. If songs like “It’s On Señor…Go!” and “Tonight I Just Don’t Care, I’m Having a Candy Dinner,” with their mind-throttling riffs and cymbal abuse don’t make you want to shake your ass, you’re a lost cause.

Rory rips through twelve tracks with very little interlude—leaving the listener utterly craving more. What some may equate to a glorified 15-minute jam session (“Everybody Stabbed Me and It Didn’t Even Hurt”) closes the album, but it ends up showing off the band’s sweeping versatility. We’re Up To No Good, We’re Up To No Good is a delicately crafted, finely tuned kick in the teeth that dares to be different. The influences are plainly available, but Rory’s tongue-in-cheek lyrical charm and spirited musical ability comes in their capacity for turning those influences into a song uniquely their own. Trust me. This is an album that may become a cult-like sleeper album come year’s end (see Valencia last year), but conversely, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rory explode onto the scene and conquer the world with this album; they’ve got the talent to pull it off. The raw ambition and ultimately the fun factor of We’re Up To No Good, We’re Up To No Good rank it up there with my favorite CDs of 2006.

Buy Rory's We're Up to No Good, We're Up to No Good on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D186861618%2526id%253D186861617%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )

01. The State of How
02. Typical
03. Kind of Like Chloroformity
04. Deja Vrooomier
05. Doing Lines of Conga
06. Tonight I Just Don’t Care, I’m Having a Candy Dinner
07. Nice Planet, We’ll Take It
08. Your Will or Whatever
09. The Adventures of Me and Me
10. It’s On Senior…Go!
11. Hey (Parts I, II & IV)
12. Everybody Stabbed Me and It Didn’t Even Hurt
Produced by Mark Hoppus, John Avila, and Matt MalpassAP.net Profile (Rory Video Series) (http://www.absolutepunk.net/rory) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/rory) | Purevolume (http://www.purevolume.com/rory)

[IAmAmazing]

i cant stop listening to Chloroformity, serouisly that song is fucking amazing...I really want to hear this right now!

[GRIFFARD]

so many albums are getting plus 90% reviews lately, i feel really behind! i'll definitely check this out, nice review.

[Steve Henderson]

Cue the "omgz fucking reviewers chern1ng teh hYpe mach1ne!!" comments. This is a bold statement to put right after my Saosin review :)

Anyways I need to check this shit out...good work Tony.

[Tony Pascarella]

Cue the "omgz fucking reviewers chern1ng teh hYpe mach1ne!!" comments. This is a bold statement to put right after my Saosin review :)

Anyways I need to check this shit out...good work Tony.Haven't heard Saosin (not even any of the songs that leaked individually). But I've really enjoyed Rory's CD from the second listen onward, and I keep finding new things to listen for every time through. It's insanely well-done but not over-polished.

Thanks, Steve.

[jusscali]

the review really makes me want to go back and give it a few more listens. at first i wasnt into it, but then a few songs came up on shuffle and it stimulated some interest. i guess it really is a grower that many people will tend to over look like myself.

nicely written

[Drew Beringer]

omgz fucking reviewers chern1ng teh hYpe mach1ne!!

[xearlynovemberx]

such a good album

[RX XR]

never heard them.. they sound sick...

[Nathan Lint]

This has skyrocketed to my into the my top 3 cds of the year after 2 listens. I've loved these guys since day one, and they didn't let me down with their first release.

I LOVE the new version of "Tonight, I Don't Care..." and the new version of "Deja Vroom(ier)". Some of the better newer tracks that haven't left my mind are "It's On Senor...Go" and "Kind Of Like Chloroformity". And "The State Of How" is a perfect opener for this cd. I would highly suggest listening to Tony with this review. It's a great cd.

[catscradle]

i fucking love me some rory. I hope this cd lives up to my expectations. I was a little let down after i heard the new version of deja vroomier, but i have a feeling i will love this cd.

[Chris Fallon]

One Eleven is just having a kick-ass year so far. This Day & Age, The Spill Canvas, and now Rory.

Nice review Tony. I'll be sure to pick this up when it drops. Sounds like it could be something right up my alley.

[Chico]

Good job Tony. I don't think I would had even check this band out if it wasn't for your review. Do you think this will be sold at bestbuy or would i have to order it on smartpunk?

[Tony Pascarella]

Good job Tony. I don't think I would had even check this band out if it wasn't for your review. Do you think this will be sold at bestbuy or would i have to order it on smartpunk?Bestbuy.com has it listed for preorder. So hopefully.

[Chico]

Thanks I didn't even think about checking bestbuy.com. I like what I'm hearing on their myspace.

[[Mike]]

94% are you fucking serious? You mean to tell me that Rory's CD is only 6% away from absolute perfection, to be one of the best albums of all time? This has to be some kind of sick joke, Rory is nothing more than one of the many pop-punk bands to come since Blink 182 brought the genre to the mainstream in the 90s, then Fall Out Boy causing the floodgates to crash and dozens of clones spilling out. For a CD to get that sort of score, you would think it'd be talked about for years to come. By next year no one will be talking about this CD and Rory will fall back into the crowd with the hundreds of other bands they sound just like.

[CROMagnon]

;4144579']94% are you fucking serious? You mean to tell me that Rory's CD is only 6% away from absolute perfection, to be one of the best albums of all time? This has to be some kind of sick joke, Rory is nothing more than one of the many pop-punk bands to come since Blink 182 brought the genre to the mainstream in the 90s, then Fall Out Boy causing the floodgates to crash and dozens of clones spilling out. For a CD to get that sort of score, you would think it'd be talked about for years to come. By next year no one will be talking about this CD and Rory will fall back into the crowd with the hundreds of other bands they sound just like.
that's like saying that if i get a 100% on a test that i just took one of the best tests of all time
i don't think it works like that

[YourMusicSucks]

that's like saying that if i get a 100% on a test that i just took one of the best tests of all time
i don't think it works like that

LMAO.

One of the most convincing reviews I've read on here. I'm definitely going to be getting this.

[gonfreaks]

I absolutely adore this cd. So many good albums all released around the same time.

[spencersface]

Nice review Tony! You've got my interest (in the album, lol). :p

[spencersface]

;4144579']94% are you fucking serious? You mean to tell me that Rory's CD is only 6% away from absolute perfection, to be one of the best albums of all time? This has to be some kind of sick joke, Rory is nothing more than one of the many pop-punk bands to come since Blink 182 brought the genre to the mainstream in the 90s, then Fall Out Boy causing the floodgates to crash and dozens of clones spilling out. For a CD to get that sort of score, you would think it'd be talked about for years to come. By next year no one will be talking about this CD and Rory will fall back into the crowd with the hundreds of other bands they sound just like.

Wake up. You wouldn't think at all apparently. A perfect 10 implies that the album itself lives up to perfect scores in each category. There's no category that compares the album to other albums (or bands). Thus, if it scores a 94%, it means that the album itself is an excellent CD and has a few minor flaws. To go deeper, beyond the hollow numbers--try reading the words in the interview--they may shed some clarity on your dim world of misunderstanding.

[LilRyan732]

Nice shit, and I love the "if it doesn't make you [blah blah blah] you're a fucking asshat" part of the review

[iwasahero]

i will most definietly check this out now

[a speedo model]

i need to hear this...

[C480RG]

One Eleven is just having a kick-ass year so far. This Day & Age, The Spill Canvas, and now Rory.
come on, yes TDAA and Spill have been doing ah-mazing... but what about Rookie Of The Year?

[youareallfreaks]

i don't hear the "soaring vocals." it sounds me like the guy has a limited range.

[IAmAmazing]

i don't hear the "soaring vocals." it sounds me like the guy has a limited range.
i find his vocals perfect for the music

[Disertation: 14]

;4144579']94% are you fucking serious? You mean to tell me that Rory's CD is only 6% away from absolute perfection, to be one of the best albums of all time? This has to be some kind of sick joke, Rory is nothing more than one of the many pop-punk bands to come since Blink 182 brought the genre to the mainstream in the 90s, then Fall Out Boy causing the floodgates to crash and dozens of clones spilling out. For a CD to get that sort of score, you would think it'd be talked about for years to come. By next year no one will be talking about this CD and Rory will fall back into the crowd with the hundreds of other bands they sound just like.
first of all, emulation seems like something you would know about, mister glassjaw and deftones. second of all, there are at least 50 less "prominent" pop-punk bands now than there were 10 years ago because it is a fickle and unstable genre where those who have nothing to offer and nothing innovative to display are quickly phased out by the ever-expanding emo and overall moody music (ahem), in short, no one wants their music to be careless and fun (ahem). in turn, the only pop-punk bands that make it are those that are fun but have something interesting to listen to. that is EXACTLY what RORY represents -- a band that is catchy enough to draw someone in, and interesting enough (IF YOU LISTEN TO IT) to keep people listening.

and that part about the 6% away from perfection.... what?

this band is doing something right, otherwise I wouldn't be the 27th response in not even 12 hours since this post went up.

rock and roll, all.

ps. I like deftones and glassjaw too.. I'm not hating, just using them as example of bands that are similar sounding.

[youareallfreaks]

i find his vocals perfect for the music


maybe so but would you describe them as "soaring"?

[spencersface]

in short, no one wants their music to be careless and fun (ahem). in turn, the only pop-punk bands that make it are those that are fun but have something interesting to listen to.

Nah. Think about HORSE the band. The Faint. Even Say Anything has elements of humor in their lyrics. I find humor interesting (in addition to serious things). But yeah, that guy's post was stupid.

I think the main point is: there's no category on the reviews that compares albums to other albums or bands and thus his point isn't even valid.

[bradsonemanband]

One Eleven is just having a kick-ass year so far. This Day & Age, The Spill Canvas, and now Rory.

you forgot Rookie Of The Year, their album kicks so much assiter! "The Blue Roses" is so amazing.

[Steve Henderson]

Spencer is the new bodyguard for all reviewers. Make a senseless post and face his well-worded pwns.

[Tony Pascarella]

Honestly, the toughest part of reviewing is quantifying talent. It's a lot easier to say what you think about the music and to describe it than to give it a numeric score. When you look back, invariably, you will be like "Fuck, Album A's vocals got a 9 but I only gave Album B a 7, but now I love the vocals on that CD." Music isn't really equatable on a numeric scale, so I try to do the best I can. I mean, a lot of bands you have to consider in the context of their genre and their contemporaries, while some albums go more in the "timeless" category for comparison. Generally for me, anything over a 90 will end up on my Top 10 list at the end of the year (and I try to cap the number of 9's at 10 or so unless there's a ton of amazing albums that really hit me in a different way).

[Steve Henderson]

Honestly, the toughest part of reviewing is quantifying talent. It's a lot easier to say what you think about the music and to describe it than to give it a numeric score. When you look back, invariably, you will be like "Fuck, Album A's vocals got a 9 but I only gave Album B a 7, but now I love the vocals on that CD." Music isn't really equatable on a numeric scale, so I try to do the best I can. I mean, a lot of bands you have to consider in the context of their genre and their contemporaries, while some albums go more in the "timeless" category for comparison. Generally for me, anything over a 90 will end up on my Top 10 list at the end of the year (and I try to cap the number of 9's at 10 or so unless there's a ton of amazing albums that really hit me in a different way).
aoty?

[Tony Pascarella]

aoty?Nah. For me, probably The Essex Green's Cannibal Sea.

[Steve Henderson]

Nah. For me, probably The Essex Green's Cannibal Sea.
Never heard...you know what that means...

[spencersface]

Spencer is the new bodyguard for all reviewers. Make a senseless post and face his well-worded pwns.

lol. I just can't stand the comments some people make; I figure it gets old for the reviewers to defend themselves when they have work to do too. And, it's kinda fun. :p

[spencersface]

Never heard...you know what that means...

Neither have I; I must check that out.

[Tony Pascarella]

Neither have I; I must check that out.The songs on their Myspace aren't the best, but I have permission from their label to post a few for stream. Give me a day or two and I will have the songs up.

[spencersface]

The songs on their Myspace aren't the best, but I have permission from their label to post a few for stream. Give me a day or two and I will have the songs up.

Tastey. Thanks :)

[nikifmosh]

There are other songs posted on the Naked Bowling myspace!

http://www.myspace.com/nakedbowlingisbetter

[Nick DiLallo]

who produced this album?

[Tony Pascarella]

who produced this album?Mark Hoppus, John Avila (Reel Big Fish), and Matt Malpass (Rookie of the Year, Inkwell)

Edit: I added this info to the bottom of the Track List since I didn't mention it in the review.

[jusscali]

its growing on me, but there are some songs i dont like that much though.

[SLADE775]

Come on....

This is getting stupid.

[Disertation: 14]

Nah. Think about HORSE the band. The Faint. Even Say Anything has elements of humor in their lyrics. I find humor interesting (in addition to serious things). But yeah, that guy's post was stupid.



Horse the band, good point. Everytime I Die too.

But, yeah, the point is that everyone writes pop-punk off as something with absolutely no integrity, whereas, it is a respectable genre in its own right and takes its liberties with having fun among other things.

[Tony Pascarella]

Horse the band, good point. Everytime I Die too.

But, yeah, the point is that everyone writes pop-punk off as something with absolutely no integrity, whereas, it is a respectable genre in its own right and takes its liberties with having fun among other things.True. I just said this to someone over AIM, and I fully stand behind it.

"People can say what they want about pop-punk lyrics, and often they're right. But a lot of times, they don't have to be really existential or metaphorical or crazy. The best lyrics are sometimes just the honest ones you can relate to."

[Steve Henderson]

Come on....

This is getting stupid.
Shut the fuck up, plz. Kthx.

[spencersface]

This album is just pop crap. Rory is doing a pop punk version of Taking Back Suck. Why does 111 even try, oh that's right stupid scene kids will buy it. LFO Forever!!!!

Ew.

[bankrom]

This album is just pop crap. Rory is doing a pop punk version of Taking Back Suck. Why does 111 even try, oh that's right stupid scene kids will buy it. LFO Forever!!!!

i'll bet you're one of those idiots that only listens to weird stuff like page france and destroyer.

[Tony Pascarella]

God forbid we have any well-written fun music. A band like Blink-182 or MxPx wouldn't make it if they started in 2006.

[sasalukac]

Shut the fuck up, plz. Kthx.

agree

[sasalukac]

Ew.

agree

[sasalukac]

God forbid we have any well-written fun music. A band like Blink-182 or MxPx wouldn't make it if they started in 2006.

super agree

[sasalukac]

when you said "The influences are plainly available", were you thinking of TBS or did you have other bands in mind? just curious

[Disertation: 14]

when you said "The influences are plainly available", were you thinking of TBS or did you have other bands in mind? just curious
I hardly hear TBS... I do hear some MovieLife, and something weirder that I can't quite put my finger on. Beach Boys? Andrew Bird? It's something about the actual song-writing style. Man, that's going to continue bothering me. For some reason I get the same kind of vibe from it that I get from the new Paul Simon. Then again, that could be because I first heard them in the same week.

[SLADE775]

Shut the fuck up, plz. Kthx.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7674/hhh1041yn.jpg

[spencersface]

picture

siiiick

[Ruggiero2oo8]

good review, good cd.

[matty_j]

these dudes are some of my close friends, and this new record is ridiculous.
i couldnt be more proud of them

this shit is gonna blow up hard as hell and im psyched..

and the cd release party was amazing...with free ice cream, ballons, plastic morracas, acoustic guitars filled with candy smashed and candy everywhere, beach balls. movielife covers...

one of the best shows ive ever been to.

[JOJOFACE]

Track 3 on my CD is called Cheers To Another One. What gives? A change of title or completely different song? :P

[nikifmosh]

these dudes are some of my close friends, and this new record is ridiculous.
i couldnt be more proud of them

this shit is gonna blow up hard as hell and im psyched..

and the cd release party was amazing...with free ice cream, ballons, plastic morracas, acoustic guitars filled with candy smashed and candy everywhere, beach balls. movielife covers...

one of the best shows ive ever been to.



amen, matt.
one of the best shows ever.

[duhpunk]

for me, this is one of those albums that doesn't hit hard at first....but as time goes on, you definitely don't forget about it.

[Piss]

can someone send me this album please? i cant find it anywhere

[Clark]

God, I miss this band. It's such a shame that this album never really got noticed and is already forgotten. It is easily one of the best pop-punk releases of all time (top five, in my opinion) and possibly one of the most well-crafted debut albums ever, as well.

can someone send me this album please? i cant find it anywhere
http://www.amazon.com/Were-Up-No-Good/dp/B000H8RV70/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245190558&sr=8-2