Scott Irvine
02/07/07, 08:00 PM
Always Rushing By - Boys Grab Your Girls EP
Released October 31st, 2006
Classic Scene Records
Contrary to the soapbox I’m known to stand on while I shove obscure Midwestern post-hardcore bands down readers’ throats, my iPod is still composed of about 40% pop-rock. I can tell my future psychiatrist it all started with Drive-Thru, but I’d be kidding myself. My timid interest in the genre was planted back when singing along to the Backstreet Boys was the staple for every mini-van ride to soccer practice. Of course, session musicians, matching white jumpsuits, and sold-out arena shows have since been replaced with High School rockers, tight pants, and basement gigs. Even now, though, looking upon Always Rushing By’s Boys Grab Your Girls has me sighing in nostalgia and appreciating my roots for making lyrics of optimism and unrequited love, clean-cut choruses, and all the sugary harmonies two vocalists can muster a socially and musically acceptable pursuit.
No one would consider Always Rushing By the second-coming of Blink-like perfection, but anyone who’s had a summer fling or two will have a wonderful soundtrack to come home to. Instrumentation would be considered relatively down-to-earth for most, as both the straightforward riffs and swaying rhythm section keep it somewhat simple. But, with these norms comes justification for why Boys… was one of Smartpunk’s best selling unsigned release.
Despite the band seemingly bypassing their formula established with some of their earlier recordings / b-sides, the EP still stands strong with some excellent production and the hoops and swoops needed to set a pop-rock release from the others. Songs like the “Show Them Something Sweet” and “Because You’re What’s In Fashion This Week” will be the mainstays for any Cute Is What We Aim For fan; showcasing Sergio’s well-refined vocals and rock-fluent, pop-conscious, guitar-lead instrumentation. But, with that, one should be aware the quartet explores some unexpected territory. With the title track, “Boys Grab Your Girls”, Always Rushing By concoct a danceable anthem without losing their footing set up faultlessly with “Show Them Something Sweet”. The expected handclaps and vocal distortion make appearances, yet it doesn’t come off cliché at all. Even with a simple acoustic ballad sing-along (“In Friday’s Lights”), Sergio’s talent for lyrical tact shines through; unveiling yet another facet to the band.
“Nights spent out in New Jersey/Missing lights like memories fading/I don’t care what night’s in question/Won’t forget your last expression”
With my mind firmly set on that finding a unique pop-rock band is a shot in the dark, my 40% is therefore fairly prestigious. Always Rushing By must now be viewed, by anyone reading this review, as an Irvine-Certified outfit; snug between All Time Low and American Football on my legendary 60-Gig. Boys Grab Your Girls, consider yourself A-OK in my book.
Released October 31st, 2006
Classic Scene Records
Contrary to the soapbox I’m known to stand on while I shove obscure Midwestern post-hardcore bands down readers’ throats, my iPod is still composed of about 40% pop-rock. I can tell my future psychiatrist it all started with Drive-Thru, but I’d be kidding myself. My timid interest in the genre was planted back when singing along to the Backstreet Boys was the staple for every mini-van ride to soccer practice. Of course, session musicians, matching white jumpsuits, and sold-out arena shows have since been replaced with High School rockers, tight pants, and basement gigs. Even now, though, looking upon Always Rushing By’s Boys Grab Your Girls has me sighing in nostalgia and appreciating my roots for making lyrics of optimism and unrequited love, clean-cut choruses, and all the sugary harmonies two vocalists can muster a socially and musically acceptable pursuit.
No one would consider Always Rushing By the second-coming of Blink-like perfection, but anyone who’s had a summer fling or two will have a wonderful soundtrack to come home to. Instrumentation would be considered relatively down-to-earth for most, as both the straightforward riffs and swaying rhythm section keep it somewhat simple. But, with these norms comes justification for why Boys… was one of Smartpunk’s best selling unsigned release.
Despite the band seemingly bypassing their formula established with some of their earlier recordings / b-sides, the EP still stands strong with some excellent production and the hoops and swoops needed to set a pop-rock release from the others. Songs like the “Show Them Something Sweet” and “Because You’re What’s In Fashion This Week” will be the mainstays for any Cute Is What We Aim For fan; showcasing Sergio’s well-refined vocals and rock-fluent, pop-conscious, guitar-lead instrumentation. But, with that, one should be aware the quartet explores some unexpected territory. With the title track, “Boys Grab Your Girls”, Always Rushing By concoct a danceable anthem without losing their footing set up faultlessly with “Show Them Something Sweet”. The expected handclaps and vocal distortion make appearances, yet it doesn’t come off cliché at all. Even with a simple acoustic ballad sing-along (“In Friday’s Lights”), Sergio’s talent for lyrical tact shines through; unveiling yet another facet to the band.
“Nights spent out in New Jersey/Missing lights like memories fading/I don’t care what night’s in question/Won’t forget your last expression”
With my mind firmly set on that finding a unique pop-rock band is a shot in the dark, my 40% is therefore fairly prestigious. Always Rushing By must now be viewed, by anyone reading this review, as an Irvine-Certified outfit; snug between All Time Low and American Football on my legendary 60-Gig. Boys Grab Your Girls, consider yourself A-OK in my book.