Morning Of, The - The World As We Know It

[Steve Henderson]

The Morning Of – The World As We Know It
Release Date: January 29, 2008
Record Label: Tragic Hero Records

Lineup changes for bands can often hurt, cripple, or outright kill an ensemble. So, to see an act that actually comes out stronger post-roster shuffle? Well, that is a rare one indeed. Be that as it may, it is exactly the case in the short-but-long story of The Morning Of. As they now stand, the group has all the right ingredients to be a breakout success, appealing to many different sets of fans. And luckily for those fans, The Morning Of makes good on this promise of potential, and with The World As We Know It, releases an album that meets both meets the expectations leading up to its release and the praise that is sure to follow.

For those unfamiliar with the band, The Morning Of has evolved into its current state as a nifty little boy/girl pop band. And while this biographical detail might seem like a small footnote in itself, it is exactly what gives the band the most noteworthy aspects of its dynamic. Thus, while Justin Wiley and Jessica Leplon are indeed talented vocalists in their own right, it is they way they work together and play off one another that makes the songs truly something special, and lends that extra push that helps them stand out from a crowded scene.

After a somewhat overdramatic intro track, the guys (and girl) here don’t take much time to hit their stride with “Let Your Spirit Soar,” which is a wonderful introduction to the band’s sound. An upbeat number, Justin and Jessica’s dueling vocals carry the first verse forward into the explosive chorus, which then propels the song forward with a newfound momentum through its end. “Reverie,” the band’s first single, is an incredible display of talent, as the subdued piano-centric patience of its verses belies the catchiness of its hook. When it comes time to belt out, “Lord get me out of this city tonight / cause you were what made me feel alive / here I am again running away from the truth / just know that you move me like I’ve never been moved!” it is like the band is daring you not to sing along. I have spent many a car ride yelling those words at the top of my lungs, and you know what? It never gets old. From there, the somber balladry of “The New Is In” is another highlight, with its delicate twinkling of the ivory, remarkable vocal harmonies, and overall emotional weight. “Shine” is an equally affecting and gorgeous number which expertly layers Jessica’s vocals just behind Justin’s for a nice presentation of the fragile package in tow (which still lights it up with a big hook).

Besides those numbers, the rest of The World As We Know It is still immediately listenable, if a little less remarkable than the rest of the record. It is certainly nice to see Jessica anchoring a song on her own with “Violins and Trees (Unforgettable).” And pretty much everything else is just good old, solid pop/rock music. “There’s a Bully in the Park” is a bit of a stumbling point, with its bizarrely discordant riffs that sound a little out of place with the overall sweetness of the record’s remainder.

All in all, with The World As We Know It, The Morning Of have proven themselves. Plain and simple. With bands breaking up left and right, it is refreshing to see a group that stuck it out through some tough times and came out on the other end stronger than ever before. The Morning Of is an excellent band, and they should go extremely far with this record.

[Blake Solomon]

yes yes yes yes! Fans are going to love it and new listeners will have a no problem adding this to their long list of musical addictions.

[LillieDesigns]

I actually enjoy "A Bully in the Park" but I feel it's the only song the old vocalist did better. I love this band and recommend them constantly to whoever will listen.

[G apostrophe Ra]

So curious about this band. I'm thinking I'll pick this up.

[tm decomposer]

Great story this band has behind them.

Great review Steve.. I agree with everything. Having the album already, its a huge step up.

[PatMarquez13]

Wonderfully written. Fantastic review. Actually agree with every single point you made.

[applesandcyanid]

So fucking pumped to listen to this.

[SubrosaSeductiv]

Hahah what's so weird is I was in their bus listening to this before it was released and there was no vocals. Justin was singing along with his own tracks. Me and a fews other members of different bands were just laughing in the vand 'cause he was so stoked.

He's the one laughing now I guess. I'm pretty happy for these dudes (and girl).

If any of you fans out there get a chance to see them live you definitely should, its a pretty energetic show.

[saysmydoctor]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat band. Deserves more attention.

[Heart-A-Tact]

Good review. Stoked for this album.

[Snails]

I just pre-ordered this. Very excited!

[kearn1tm]

Great review. I've been listening to the Digital EP recently, and I'm pumped for the album.

[boykosaurus]

Found out about this band on this site a while ago, I have to get this album.

[aloneatlastnj]

Hahah what's so weird is I was in their bus listening to this before it was released and there was no vocals. Justin was singing along with his own tracks. Me and a fews other members of different bands were just laughing in the vand 'cause he was so stoked.

He's the one laughing now I guess. I'm pretty happy for these dudes (and girl).

If any of you fans out there get a chance to see them live you definitely should, its a pretty energetic show.

yeah man. justin's done A LOT for these guys. his voice is fuckin' ace.

[mutiny]

good review! i can't wait for this album.

[The_Ryst]

I like the old singer better...that beign said, Justin is great. Unfortunately after seeing videos of Justni/Jessica on youtube, it seems like they can't harmonize well live. yuck...some of the videos are just painful.


I have a copy of the "new" album with the old singer and old drummer ,and it should be a fun comparison. Justin and Jessica are great, I hope those live vids were just on some off nights.

(Abir is THE rock for this band and is quite frankly an amazing person. I barely have met him, but he's been gracious and kind on both accounts...he's just a unique, great guy.)

[PatMarquez13]

I like the old singer better...that beign said, Justin is great. Unfortunately after seeing videos of Justni/Jessica on youtube, it seems like they can't harmonize well live. yuck...some of the videos are just painful.


I have a copy of the "new" album with the old singer and old drummer ,and it should be a fun comparison. Justin and Jessica are great, I hope those live vids were just on some off nights.

(Abir is THE rock for this band and is quite frankly an amazing person. I barely have met him, but he's been gracious and kind on both accounts...he's just a unique, great guy.)
YouTube and "amateur" shot videos really never do any bands justice.

They are wonderful live... Really, check them out live, it will change your opinion.

[topher465]

I'll have to check 'em out.

[sh!twolf]

spot on. abir is a prowler.

[saving jonathan]

yeah this band has loads of potential.
i've been rocking that older EP for quite some time, can't wait to give this album a listen.
not to mention i'm seeing them later this week. pumped to say the least.

[sinktylersink]

The new lineup of this band just sounds a lot more polished. Not that I disliked the old lineup, but comparing the new versions of songs to the versions with the old members it just sounds a lot tighter and seems to flow a lot better.

[untitled94]

this record is solid. i really think people will love it

[mutiny]

I like the old singer better...that beign said, Justin is great. Unfortunately after seeing videos of Justni/Jessica on youtube, it seems like they can't harmonize well live. yuck...some of the videos are just painful.


I have a copy of the "new" album with the old singer and old drummer ,and it should be a fun comparison. Justin and Jessica are great, I hope those live vids were just on some off nights.

(Abir is THE rock for this band and is quite frankly an amazing person. I barely have met him, but he's been gracious and kind on both accounts...he's just a unique, great guy.)

see them live, i assure you that your opinion will change.

but i do agree, abir is a great guy. he talked to my friend and i for nearly half an hour once and he was so incredibly nice.

[Praetor]

Mmm...I need this.

[phuckshietass]

so excited for this. been listening to their catalog nonstop for the past month. i control the iTunes in my office and i have my smart playlist set up to not play a song if its played in the past 3 days except if artist = The Morning Of. needless to say i think my coworkers are a bit sick of hearing "let your spirit soar"...again. not me though! anyone else going to see them the 27th? if soo seeee ya there~!

[victoriasdf]

i'm so excited for this album.

[The_Ryst]

Oh no, don't get me wrong. I saw The Morning Of with the old guy/girl line up and they were absolutely amazing. Then I saw them with just the guy singer and they were absolutely mind blowing. These were with the old singers. I know they're amazing live, I just don't know if the new singer has the same...finesse? that the old one had. I don't know if that makes any sense. Still, an amazing band that deserves some time on Fuse or something at least. They should be huge. Watch out Paramore! (Even though they're incomparable, people will definitely compare them, just because there's a girl in the mix.)

[OveriseFan]

I like the old singer better...that beign said, Justin is great. Unfortunately after seeing videos of Justni/Jessica on youtube, it seems like they can't harmonize well live. yuck...some of the videos are just painful.


I have a copy of the "new" album with the old singer and old drummer ,and it should be a fun comparison. Justin and Jessica are great, I hope those live vids were just on some off nights.

(Abir is THE rock for this band and is quite frankly an amazing person. I barely have met him, but he's been gracious and kind on both accounts...he's just a unique, great guy.)


I can't find any videos of the new line-up on youtube...?

Don't listen to that copy, it's not "real". It sound awful, no one in the band was happy with it.

[zachff]

one of my best friends from school told me about this band from his hometown 2 years ago when they were dropping out of high school to go touring (old vocalist), and I could just never get into them. i'm giving it another listen now, but i'm still not convinced -- especially with Driving East tomorrow, may not have room for another CD for a few weeks.

[punkyandy]

great review man. does anybody know if it leaked yet? i can't wait until the release date, so i need a little something to keep me busy

[punkyandy]

Oh no, don't get me wrong. I saw The Morning Of with the old guy/girl line up and they were absolutely amazing. Then I saw them with just the guy singer and they were absolutely mind blowing. These were with the old singers. I know they're amazing live, I just don't know if the new singer has the same...finesse? that the old one had. I don't know if that makes any sense. Still, an amazing band that deserves some time on Fuse or something at least. They should be huge. Watch out Paramore! (Even though they're incomparable, people will definitely compare them, just because there's a girl in the mix.)


imo, paramore can't compare to the morning of, on the basis of musical technicality and originality aspects. tmo has got paramore beat on both counts

[lauren<3s music]

nice review i'll add this to the list of things to check out.

[Jaster]

8.69 on lyrics?


Really?



:lol:

[PatMarquez13]

yeah man. justin's done A LOT for these guys. his voice is fuckin' ace.
Seriously, I know I am a hype, but they are incredible. So strong.

[PatMarquez13]

great review man. does anybody know if it leaked yet? i can't wait until the release date, so i need a little something to keep me busy
Nope! It will be streaming here on AP.net very shortly.

[The_Ryst]

I can't find any videos of the new line-up on youtube...?

Don't listen to that copy, it's not &quot;real&quot;. It sound awful, no one in the band was happy with it.

I'll be honest I think it's a great record it's gotten a ton of spins from me. Have you heard it? What don't you like about it? The singing is amazing on it. It'll be great to compare the new album with the new/old singer to really tell the differences. PS I think There's A Bully in the Park is an amazing song, but maybe it's because I'm an old fashioned TMO fan, idk. That song has always held a great spot for me.

[huckleberry]

i must have this album!

[Kneeka]

Pretty excited about this one.

[romanceisdead]

Fantastic review. In my opinion this is probably the best album of 08.

[Joe DeAndrea]

8.69 on lyrics?


Really?



:lol:

Uh, that's for the members rating. :rolleyes:

[wecanbeheroes]

I actually enjoy "A Bully in the Park" but I feel it's the only song the old vocalist did better. I love this band and recommend them constantly to whoever will listen.

yeah i totally agree. My friend showed me the other versions of the songs with James, and i must say that this newer copy of the world as we know absolutly sounds so much better.

[Drew Beringer]

I LOVE this album.

[Craftsy21]

So I've listened to this a few times now - and i just don't know. There are moments where I think they sound good, but there are also many times where i feel like i'm listening to some cheesy 15 year old christian rock group.. I don't know, some of this record is just far too corny.

I think they have potential, and it's an easy listen for the most part - but i don't feel like they have their sound figured out yet, a lot of aimlessness at times.

[+/-]

i heard about this yesterday and ended up buying it on itunes today. i couldn't be more impressed, freaking ace pop record.

[Stupendous_Man]

Started listening to their album streaming on purevolume a few days ago and I'm hooked. Don't know why I haven't heard of these guys earlier.

[newburgh]

This album was a let down. It definitely had potential, but it just didn't work. The older songs that were re-worked don't sound as good. Being someone who heard the "old" version of the album, I thought it was much better. The New Is In puts me to sleep now...so boring. And honestly, if you weren't going to at least keep the same standard of scatting in Smooth Sailing, then you should've gotten rid of it all together. The "old" album seemed to have more passion, this one just seems like singing. The harmonies don't quite fit right in a lot of places either. I find I like the songs the new members took part in writing because I have nothing to compare them to. I've heard numerous versions of pilot to base, some with rap, some from the good old days of Don't Pass Go, but this is definitely my least favorite version. I was going to buy the album just for kicks, I thought 10 dollars wouldn't hurt, but I'm glad I heard it before I spent my money on it.

[total brodown]

my old band played a show with them when they were in Colorado Springs with Thieves & Villains on Halloween.

they were amazing people, and i got to talk to most of them for a long time. their guitarist is an amazing pianist, and their all just sweet people.
also amazing live.

[forlackoftravis]

such a good cd... i was at the cd release show... they are so amazing

[sowrongitsryan]

his voice is kinda like will pughs

[bummm]

This band does deserve more attention, but anyway I love this album a lot.

[MikeySwitz]

i bought the album today, its pretty decent, i really dig the heavier parts in theres a bully and the sound of something secure. i actually played with these guys and thieves and villains last november, and to be honest i was a little disenchanted with justin's voice live, however jessica is a dman good vocalist, she doesnt get enough credit.

also if anyone has the old version of this cd they should message me, i'd love to hear it!
myspace.com/parklandmusic

[sammy13]

this is like my favorite band and album! im 1 of the TMO fans that still listens to Attention! Attention!, Justin's old band. and my favorite song is probably the world as we know it, because it has a great message behind it.

[all time (joe)]

GREAT REVIEW!! i couldnt agree more.