Quietdrive - When All That's Left Is You
 

Quietdrive – When All That’s Left Is You
Release Date: May 30, 2006
Record Label: Epic

When it comes to rock, Quietdrive’s When All That’s Left Is You is like the marshmallows you find in Lucky Charms: while you know the actual cereal shit is probably good for you (i.e. all the cool indie bands), the marshmallows, oh-so-sugary and delightfully sinful, are the fun and delicious part. A mixture of pop bliss and alternative radio-readiness, Quietdrive’s debut full length won’t score you scene points on punk rock message boards; however, for those with a musical sweet tooth, this will definitely be your cup of tea—or should I say bowl of cereal?

This album is disappointing. No, not in terms of the songs—each track is an excellent pop song, but if you’ve been following Quietdrive for a while (and have overplayed their Rise From the Ashes EP like I have), then you’ll probably be a little upset to only find six actual new Quietdrive songs. All three songs from the EP have been included on the ten-song full length (the exact same versions too, except for an extended intro on “Rise From the Ashes”), as well as a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” While the cover is extremely well done, and almost sounds like it could’ve been another Quietdrive song, I’d much, much rather have an actual new song. Oh yeah, and the album clocks in at just over half an hour, so it’s over before you know it.

While the band’s Rise From the Ashes EP showcased three high-energy, up-tempo songs (“Rise From the Ashes, “Take a Drink,” “Maybe Misery”), When All That’s Left Is You most certainly explores other terrain. Quietdrive keeps things interesting by playing with tempos, dynamics, orchestral arrangements (vocalist Kevin Truckenmiller plays a mean violin live), and including all sorts of layers that one will only pick up on after repeated listens. The vocals are extremely strong and impassioned (great falsettos too), the production enormous, the songwriting catchy as hell: this is a great summer album.

As previously mentioned, I just wish there were more “new” songs on this album – that’s pretty much my only gripe. This is a really good pop record: if you like poppy stuff, you’ll probably like this, but if pop ain't your thing, then I wouldn’t suggest even coming close to this album. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pour myself some Lucky Charms and get me some marshmallows.

mm mmm mmmm this band will be biggg

ive seen them live twice and have never been disappointed.

Haha, delicious.

Hmmmm Didn't Butch Walker produce this???

Only 2 songs

what an unbelievable live show.

I'm looking forward to this.

which songs were they?

"Get Up" for sure (prob my fav song on the CD) and I think "Take a Drink"

Interesting review Rohan...can't wait till I get my copy.

i saw them last month..pretty good live show. though, the lead singer's energy kinda freaks me out.

my label almost signed their friends

i am also really pumped for this album. they just posted the new version of "both ways" on their mysapce, i could see it being huge.. all of their songs given the right push could be huge though!

what label are you with and which band of their friends did you almost sign? i like a lot of the bands they play with, so im just curious...

Not impressed with what I've heard so far. Yes, the Fall From The Ceiling EP was quite good, but Both Ways had already been released as well as most of the other tunes on the album. Previous fans of this group will be extra disappointed because there is only 1 new song on this album for them. I am EXTRA disappointed that the album runs only a half hour. By todays standards, that is well below the lowest. This might be a pop record...but this band is capable of so much more.

this cd is sooo good

i just got the cd today. it is good but like stated in the interview its short and i really feel like they shouldve put a few more new songs on it. the songs that are on it are good though.

Perfect analogy. The whole marshmellow thing is perfecto.

this album was actually quite boring for me, after a few listens, i just got bored with it...there's nothing new or exciteing about it. i picked it back up to see if time would change my mind, but honestly, i still feel the same. very catchy, but some of the lyrics are very amateurish. if you're into pop-punk or anything that came out on drive-thru 6 yrs. ago, give this a spin.

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the lyrics. Nothing really stood out.

fuckin awesome band! the album's amazing!

Love the review. Piss poor lyrics, so they'll definitely be big (recently hit #1 on PureVolume).

i like the first song...reminds me a lot of so long astoria-era ataris.

im sure that they will hit it big in 07.

This cd is really disapointing. The singer needs to join a new band. I hope the musicans are holding back when they are playing just so they can create the same bleek music track after track. Rise from the ashes grabbed me by the balls and made me by the cd. This cd wasn't even worth importing onto my computer. Ive heard good things about their live show from several friends but seriously write a new cd quick.

Cheeseball lyrics but this album is indeed marshmallowy goodness! "The Season" is especially cheeseball.

Love em.

Still listening to this album.. it's so deep I love it.. can't wait for Deliverance

not bad