Houston Calls - The End of an Error

[Chris Fallon]

Houston Calls - The End of an Error
Record Label: Drive-Thru Records
Release Date: October 14, 2008

The turn of the century was a magical time for many of us now adjusting to adulthood, still working out our years before we hit 30. The music we look back on and fondly remember is the kind of stuff high school graduates new to the scene are green with envy about; we experienced it first-hand -- we saw New Found Glory and Something Corporate rise up from openers to headliners and witnessed Midtown before they became a Djamoos wet dream (with all due respect, mind you). Drive Thru Records was our saving grace, a label we could all lean upon and rely on as the universal voice that showed us who we needed to hear and care about. Those days are a long-lost dream in this ever-changing scene that caters to trend-hopping youths looking for the next big Myspace hit -- we can only relive those days through headphones and closed eyes, torn ticket stubs and DVDs.

The ironic title of Houston Calls' sophomore release The End of an Error would have worked as a tip of the hat to that sentiment we all share about the former wrecking ball label Drive Thru once used to be. While the band, who released their debut waaaay back in 2004 (even their website has the same layout!), got off of Drive Thru's failed offshoot label Rushmore Records three years ago, they are still releasing this long-awaited follow-up via the badly-damaged and widely-scorned label. So, if the title isn't ironic in that sense... what exactly does it implicate?

It could mean the end of an error in the foul-ball genre that pop-punk has become recently or perhaps it is even a knock at themselves for taking so long to get this disc released, something that could ultimately cripple the band's success with listeners who have moved on -- from the band and from believing in what Drive Thru Records brings to the table. Sure, this album won't win any awards or make anyone a believer in the genre, but it does pack a wallop of melodic fun into 60 minutes (well, "The Oaks on Prince St." is mostly dead air for it's 23 minutes) -- just don't expect that wallop to hold onto your attention for too long into the new year.

Houston Calls should be the first ones to admit they are far from setting the bar: they write old-fashioned pop music with a bratty attitude, occasionally stalled by some sentimental moments, which the band displayed effectively at points on their debut. Error is essentially a band retracing over the lines they already drew in the sand (no pun intended) four years ago, aiming to recapture an audience who have anxiously anticipated this disc or maybe even lost track. One thing is for sure: Tom Keiger's vocals have drastically improved, more refined and mature -- one positive aspect to the four year wait. Another positive aspect is the melodies are stronger, tighter and more focused -- they only lack the long-lasting effect of genuinely sincere pop music bands like Valencia have perfected. This hinders the album from becoming something to cherish and sustain momentum with listeners -- it will likely get lost in the shuffle of better albums that have come out over the year that provide more muscle and clout than this one does.

"Life Won't Wait" is a well-done single pick, full of zest & wit, and it should be their catapult to bigger & better things; "Modest Manifesto" ropes in listeners with a great amount of enthusiasm, and there‘s a certain dance floor groove to "A Shot in the Dark" that makes it perpetually addictive. However, by the time the middle half of the disc rolls in, it stalls with ballad material ("Stay With Me Tonight") and tracks without any bite to them ("Things Are Happening" and "Behind the Gun") before picking up too late with the spark plug of a ditty "Nagoya," and finishing off with the gang vocal boom of "Abandone" and the "Bob & Bonnie"-esque "You Can't Simi". The record has an ear for melody, but not enough to keep it above water for long as the bonus cut, "Dork Thinks He's Gonna Drown," slowly makes its way onto the record (at first, I mistook this cut for a Hoobastank song!). Maybe it was the four year wait, maybe it's the other recent superior releases in the genre or purely lack of imagination for a label who provides no effort -- any way you put it, there can only be hope this error is truly at its end and saving the glorious foundation of this pop-punk quartet for another record.

Houston Calls' A Collection of Short Stories; The JV All-Stars' Take Me Back to Spectre; Farewell's Isn't This Supposed to Be Fun?!"A Shot in the Dark," "Modest Manifesto," and "Nagoya"

1. Modest Manifesto
2. Life Won't Wait
3. A Shot in the Dark
4. Things Are Happening
5. Stay With Me Tonight
6. I Fancy Abroad
7. Nagoya
8. Behind the Gun
9. Abandone
10. You Can't Simi
11. The Oaks on Prince St.
12. Dork Thinks He's Gonna DrownTom Keiger: vocalist/guitar
Jarrett Selzer: bass
"Okie" Okamoto:keyboards/vocals
Josh Grigsby: drums
Jose Lopez: guitar

Official Site (http://www.houstoncalls.com) | Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/houstoncalls)Amazon MP3 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HDYUO6?ie=UTF8&tag=absolutepun02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001HDYUO6)

[cereal4life]

Excellent review, Chris! My sentiments are exactly what you expressed in the review: good couple of opening tracks, cheeseball balld ("Stay With Me tonight"; i don't dig it) and a lacking/repetitive middle section of the album. Cheers for the review, too; I've been waiting for one of the staff to review it, glad it was you.

I got this album mainly because Houston Calls are coming to a festival over here called Soundwave and I heard that a) they write some sweet, sweet pop punk and b) they put on one rad live show. If I liked this, is it worth checking out A Collection of Short Stories?

[Chris Fallon]

Excellent review, Chris! My sentiments are exactly what you expressed in the review: good couple of opening tracks, cheeseball balld ("Stay With Me tonight"; i don't dig it) and a lacking/repetitive middle section of the album. Cheers for the review, too; I've been waiting for one of the staff to review it, glad it was you.

I got this album mainly because Houston Calls are coming to a festival over here called Soundwave and I heard that a) they write some sweet, sweet pop punk and b) they put on one rad live show. If I liked this, is it worth checking out A Collection of Short Stories?
Thanks man -- that means a lot, truly.

Their debut has more appeal in my opinion -- if you enjoy this at all, you'll like ACoSS much more. It has far more catchy material on there than this does.

[cereal4life]

Thanks man -- that means a lot, truly.

Their debut has more appeal in my opinion -- if you enjoy this at all, you'll like ACoSS much more. It has far more catchy material on there than this does.

Not a poblem! Your reviews have spurred me on to checking out many an excellent band (the Wedding, the Graduate) and I appreciate that.

I'll be sure to check out ACoSS too.

[owiseone35]

This was a really good review. I have this bands debut album and I liked it much better as well. Again, though I haven't replayed that CD since my sophomore year of high school. This CD didn't do to much for me. Maybe i just kinda out grew them like with Finch but this made me wanna blast A Collection of Short Stories in my dorm.

[PANIC!_poppunk]

Excellent review, Chris! My sentiments are exactly what you expressed in the review: good couple of opening tracks, cheeseball balld ("Stay With Me tonight"; i don't dig it) and a lacking/repetitive middle section of the album. Cheers for the review, too; I've been waiting for one of the staff to review it, glad it was you.

I got this album mainly because Houston Calls are coming to a festival over here called Soundwave and I heard that a) they write some sweet, sweet pop punk and b) they put on one rad live show. If I liked this, is it worth checking out A Collection of Short Stories?

yeh im from perth aswell mate. saw them at soundwave 2 years ago with plus 44. they were really good. but to be honest i wont even be going past them at next years soundwave. they will probably play a stack of these songs and this cd STRUGGLES. im a massive fan of pop punk, like the biggest, but this cd is just SO boring and lame. ACOSS is so so much better but i think this band has long missed the boat.

checkout callahan http://www.myspace.com/callahanlovesyou coz they seriously are good ;)

[Dre Okorley]

68? izzouch

[ManicanParty49]

I really like this album. There are some songs I skip over, and there is one line in Modest Manifesto that I abhor ("I couldn't lie to you")...however, I think this is a more than solid sophomore release. Sure it won't catapult them into stardom, but it might pick up some new listeners and some new fans along the way.

[SomedayTheFire]

Great review, exactly what I think about this album.

[You Vandal]

you spend way too much time talking about the title of the album and not enough on the actual music.

[FaceLixeMurder]

I need to check this out, I haven't really listened to them since 2004...

[Blake Solomon]

this release was very boring to me

[jhennis]

there is a reason why it only sold 1,000 copies 1st week...its not good

[denissuxx]

Thanks man -- that means a lot, truly.

Their debut has more appeal in my opinion -- if you enjoy this at all, you'll like ACoSS much more. It has far more catchy material on there than this does.

I disagree.

I dig this release a lot more :)

[ship of fools]

I sincerely commend you, Mr. Fallon, I couldn't agree more with your final verdict. I'm pleased to see you gave this album justice and did not just appease the fans of this generally well liked band. That takes guts; I respect that. High five.

[lostfear]

I like this album =)

[JTMcKrackles]

I'd say this deserves a rating somewhere in the high 70s/low 80s, but good review anyways.

[PANIC!_poppunk]

I disagree.

I dig this release a lot more :)

then your on crack

[denissuxx]

then your on crack

I am on crack, but that's not why.

I booked tickets to see them, therefore i was looking forward to this album. I just couldnt get into their old album (apart from a few songs). However, i am really enjoying the new album :)

Decent live show, must be said :)

[Alex DiVincenzo]

Good review, though I'm disappointed to hear that it didn't live up. I'll be checking it out though.

[antlerboy182]

Great Review! The new album really had to grow on me.. but it is an amazing album. :D I can't wait to see what the next album will bring.

[newfoundmichael]

I actually liked this more than their first album. They are both pretty solid though in my opinion.

[WordzandDreamz]

there is a reason why it only sold 1,000 copies 1st week...its not good

This is an idiotic statement.

[DI Pistola]

I really wanted to like this a lot more than I actually do. Art is positively beautiful though. Still all over that.

Oh, and I took stupid "Oaks on Prince Street" and ran it through GarageBand to fix all that empty space. So irritating.

[denissuxx]

This is an idiotic statement.

Agree.

[GetWellBoss]

You are a great writer. Sometimes I feel the reviews miss the "writing" aspect of it. You captivated the reader and then hit the main points about the album. Well done.

[The Personist]

I probably would've rated the album higher, but overall a good review. Your discussion of the title was awesome.

[You Vandal]

You are a great writer. Sometimes I feel the reviews miss the "writing" aspect of it. You captivated the reader and then hit the main points about the album. Well done.
if you think this review is great writing, you need to start reading more.

[JamesLado]

this release was very boring to me

yeah dude i agree

[GetWellBoss]

if you think this review is great writing, you need to start reading more.

I meant in reviews on this site. Not in the world of literature.

[CyberInferno]

I would have given the album a 75 or so, but I agree with the review in general. Well written, especially that first paragraph. And I agree that the first album has more staying power and some better hits.

I don't know how you couldn't put "I Fancy Abroad" on your choice cuts though. The closest thing to a "Bob and Bonnie" as we get IMO on this album.

[Dre Okorley]

I would have given the album a 75 or so, but I agree with the review in general. Well written, especially that first paragraph. And I agree that the first album has more staying power and some better hits.

I don't know how you couldn't put "I Fancy Abroad" on your choice cuts though. The closest thing to a "Bob and Bonnie" as we get IMO on this album.

Classic fucking song, for real

[CyberInferno]

there is a reason why it only sold 1,000 copies 1st week...its not good
Or maybe it's because only 3,000 copies shipped to the entire USA and people couldn't find it.

I hope you're majoring in something that doesn't involve the use of witty satire. It's definitely not your strong suit.

[CyberInferno]

Classic fucking song, for real
Seriously. Almost everyone I talk to about Houston Calls' debut album raves about that song.

[mallyland]

Wrong on so many levels.

[Nolessthanblink]

Good review. Haven't been able to get into this album though

[AMAAS]

I liked HC's last cd but this cd was a dissappointment nice review

[pwnt.]

Not satisfied with this one. I enjoyed their debut cd a lot more.

[emkvetwin]

you spend way too much time talking about the title of the album and not enough on the actual music.

it was four sentences. it's called a transition. good reviews have them.

well done, Chris. i'll give this a listen, mostly because of how good "Bob And Bonnie" is/was on the Drive-Thru Sampler.

[blinkme]

very fair and well written review. i like the album and think it's pretty catchy. i needed some pop punk to keep me cheery through the winter months and i think this will be it.

[blinkme]

I really like this album. There are some songs I skip over, and there is one line in Modest Manifesto that I abhor ("I couldn't lie to you")...however, I think this is a more than solid sophomore release. Sure it won't catapult them into stardom, but it might pick up some new listeners and some new fans along the way.

ditto on the "i couldn't lie to you" bit.

[PigDestroyer]

Or maybe it's because only 3,000 copies shipped to the entire USA and people couldn't find it.

I hope you're majoring in something that doesn't involve the use of witty satire. It's definitely not your strong suit.

um yeah, amazon.com and itunes are just so impossible to use. if people wanted to buy the record they could have.

[Joe DeAndrea]

um yeah, amazon.com and itunes are just so impossible to use. if people wanted to buy the record they could have.

Not everyone has a credit/debit card.

[c_rob2700]

I did like the cover art though

[Heart-A-Tact]

I couldn't get into this album at all.

[CyberInferno]

um yeah, amazon.com and itunes are just so impossible to use. if people wanted to buy the record they could have.
Not everyone likes buying already compressed music. And some people like owning a physical CD that is worth something in the event that their hard drive crashes.

And this...
Not everyone has a credit/debit card.

[ilovesofie]

I think this deserves more, i really like the 4 opening tracks and the rest isn't that bad, i would rate it 75

[ballardr]

Good review. It's a good album, but not great. HC definitely deserves more support from DTR.

[ballardr]

Not everyone likes buying already compressed music. And some people like owning a physical CD that is worth something in the event that their hard drive crashes.

And this...


EXACTLY. I hate buying the mp3s online. I searched for this album at 2 best buys and 2 targets and couldn't find it. Eventually had to buy it on amazon mp3. I just don't get the same excitement as I would by going to the store buying the album, wrestling with the wrap to get it open, and sticking it into my car's cd player.

[You Vandal]

it was four sentences. it's called a transition. good reviews have them.

well done, Chris. i'll give this a listen, mostly because of how good "Bob And Bonnie" is/was on the Drive-Thru Sampler.
Rightttttttttttttttttttttttttttt.

[poppunknerd182]

just the fact that you know about The JV Allstars makes you my favorite reviewer.

THAT is one amazing band.

I loved this album, the more I listen to it, the more I think it is better than ACOSS.

but a 68% just because of not super long listening power? From your review, it seems like you'll be listening to this release for the next 3 years, until their next album comes out.

[fadedmemories]

I agree with the lasting value

[CyberInferno]

EXACTLY. I hate buying the mp3s online. I searched for this album at 2 best buys and 2 targets and couldn't find it. Eventually had to buy it on amazon mp3. I just don't get the same excitement as I would by going to the store buying the album, wrestling with the wrap to get it open, and sticking it into my car's cd player.
Seriously, there's something special about actually spinning the disc in the car and listening to the album the first time. I actually got the Houston Calls album in the mail (because I couldn't find it either I ordered it from deepdiscount.com. Highly recommended) and waited till I had to drive somewhere to listen to it.

With the Say Anything disc, I actually got food, sat in my car, ate it while listening to the first disc, then drove the long way to get to work and listened to the second disc. A very enjoyable experience (other than my car battery dying and my friend having to jump me before I left for work).

[GuitarR0cker1]

Good review, I could never get into Houston Calls for some reason. This album didn't do it for me.

[Starflyer59]

Nice review. I think the album deserves something in the high seventies. It really is an album that you begin to like more after the first couple of listens. I pretty much spent an entire week listening to it and like every song on the thing. I think the album is worth buying just for Life Won't Wait, A Shot In the Dark, and I Fancy Abroad. I would agree that their previous album is catchier as a whole, but this a very solid follow-up...now I must go back to listening to the new Starflyer 59 album.

[You Vandal]

I really like the album, but nowhere near as much as I liked Short Stories. It helps Houston Calls is the nicest band I have ever come across. Some of the lyrics on this make me cringe though, especially the line about the four controllers.

I really disagree with the reviewer about the bonus track sounding like Hoobastank. Its different than normal Houston Calls, but its a good song.

[tm decomposer]

2nd song on the record is great

[DI Pistola]

um yeah, amazon.com and itunes are just so impossible to use. if people wanted to buy the record they could have.

"Impossible," as in, "three clicks would break my face in half," or "impossible," like, "harder than driving around town to see which overpriced record store has it?"

[CellarGhosts]

Broadway Calls >> Houston Calls. haha.

Good review, Chris.

[jonenm18]

I strong strongly disagree with the review of the album. While the comments about the faltering pop/punk music scene ring true, Houston Calls is a very awesome band and this album shows it.

This album has just as many catchy songs on it as Collection does. Instead of sticking with the exact same guitar tones and sounds, they decided to expand them (Such as the chorus for Behind the gun). The harmonies on this album are stronger than their previous, and the bass lines are also better. There is more of a focus on keys on this album than the synth sound of their past release, but I think it just shows a much more mature side.
Lyrically, this band is miles ahead of many pop/punk bands out there. Seriously, compare them to lyrics from a band like Quietdrive, that is much more popular.

My favorite songs on the album are The oaks on Prince Street, Behind the Gun & Things are happening. There is not one song on the album that I skip over. I literally listened to it for about a week straight, 8 hours a day while at work. And I listen to it every time I drive. I highly recommend checking it out.

Their live shows are amazing, and they are all extremely nice guys. They are just out there to have fun and play music for anyone that will listen. I highly recommend checking them out live.


Also, it's not their fault the record took so long to be released.

[jonenm18]

Also, the extra end song is not supposed to sound like typical houston calls. That's why there is all of the dead air after "the Oaks..."

Drive thru didn't want it on the album at all, but they put it on their anyway. The song sounds nothing like hoobastank, but alot more like Fenix Tx's heavier songs off of Le Chuza.

[cereal4life]

this release was very boring to me

You're very boring to me!

Not really.

This is an idiotic statement.

I concur!

[birtcho]

great review. thought 68% was a bit low though and no mention of i fancy abroad? thats in the best 3 on the album

[CyberInferno]

great review. thought 68% was a bit low though and no mention of i fancy abroad? thats in the best 3 on the album
Agreed on both accounts :)

[Chris Fallon]

Everyone has a difference of opinions -- this one is mine. Thanks to everyone whose commented, though. We're allowed to disagree -- this is how I feel, and I stand by my reviews.

[Dre Okorley]

Not everyone likes buying already compressed music.


I'm a bit ignorant about this stuff, but what's the difference (in quality and other ways) between compressed music and music that isnt?

[You Vandal]

I'm a bit ignorant about this stuff, but what's the difference (in quality and other ways) between compressed music and music that isnt?
Compressed music sounds worse.

[youwithoutMe]

i listened too this cd a lot and i think it's better than a 68 score.

i really like the first 5-6 songs and then it starts to go downhill a little for me after that until the "bonus track".

overall i think it is worthy of like an 80, some of the songs are quite catchy.

[smelltheglove]

excellent opening paragraph to the review, I agree wholeheartedly.

this album is ok, not as catchy as their first album but they pushed themselves a bit more on this one with different tempos and a bit more variety than midtown cover after midtown cover like their debut (and I mean that in a good way, just like I thought "take this to your grave" was a great NFG s/t mixed with Saves the Day "through being cool" cover album)

overall though, pretty forgettable and will likely get lost in the pack like their debut did, the long delay on the release really screwed them as well, in this day and age of short attention spans, no one short of Brand New can get away with a more than 24 month gap between albums or else risk losing fans by the boatload as they move on to the next big thing

[smelltheglove]

i think my main gripe with the disc is that despite the increased variety in song structure, tempo, songwriting, etc., they failed to write as many solid chorus's as they did on theri debut. there's no instant sing-alongs and anthemic chorus's like the debut had. this album has more depth and variety, but less catcyness and big chorus's. it's not a bad album at all though, just average.

[fran.182]

boring

[littledudeman]

I have only listened threw this release once so far so maybe my opinion will change but so far I don't dig it as much as short stories.

[Paulb-182]

im out the loop here, whats wrong with drive thru now?

i know barely anything gets released on it anymore

but back in the day nearly every CD i owned was drive thru released

[MusicTalks]

Everyone has a difference of opinions -- this one is mine. Thanks to everyone whose commented, though. We're allowed to disagree -- this is how I feel, and I stand by my reviews.

chris, chris - great review. i've been on the fence about listening to this. i will give it an earshot and see what i think. on a side note, i agree with the idea of disagreement. people seem to take music way too personal. this is a review that he wrote. WE decided to read it, not the other way around. stating that you disagree is fine, in fact, i'm sure chris would say the idea that we have these discussions is what music is about. acting like a pre-pubescent teen with a chip on your shoulder is actually pretty old and way too emo.