What Separates Me From You
There's only one album I've been waiting for the the past few months, and that is, What Separates Me From You, the latest offering from those Ocala Gods in A Day To Remember.
I always remember my first listen to ADTR, my boyfriend at the time was really into his 'screamy' music, and it used to drive me up the wall whenever he'd drive us anywhere and I'd be bombarded with music I just couldn’t sing along to. So, when he made me a copy of For Those Who Have Heart, I refused to listen to it on principle.
It was only when we'd broken up and I was having one of those 'cry all day and remember the good times' moments, that I decided to give in and listen to the album. I thought I'd end up sobbing into the giant love heart with arms he bought me from Ikea, but instead, it energised me, and I've never looked back, despite foolishly going back to him once or twice.
Anyway, life story aside, the new offering from A Day To Remember is certain to entertain all levels of fans, whether you're the one who goes to every single [insert local town here] show, one of the ones who downloads the singles you see on Kerrang! Or one of those who claim you love them, but only really know the Plot To Bomb The Panhandle: this WILL convert you.
Opening with the fierce 'Sticks & Bricks' I was worried I wasn't going to be able to sing along anymore - think 'Heartless' from And Their Name Was Treason, and you'll know what I mean - They do what they do best though, opening the album with screamed verses, melodic choruses, and a breakdown. It’s the formula that A Day To Remember have become masters at, and lets face it, why so many people are falling in love with Jeremy and friends.
Next up is the lead single, 'All I Want', and token melodic offering, 'It's Complicated' the radio-friendly track that I'm hoping someone can convince rock-wannabe Fearne Cotton to add to her playlist, by now my stomach starts to feel all fuzzy and I swirl around in my desk chair. Shouldn't have eaten that jelly pot.
This Is The House That Doubt Built sounds like something you'd expect from those wee lads in Twin Atlantic if they went down this so-called 'hardcore' route, and I find it quite confusing. Its not un-likeable, it's different, and we know how people don't like change. There are a lot of ‘Woah’s’, and I can see a lot of 15 year olds with blunt fringes and Facebook profile pictures of them in a pair of knickers loving this song.
Speaking of Facebook, I'm sure a lot of you have also heard ‘2nd Sucks’, after it was listed on Victory Record's page. It's commanding from the offset with the opening "Fight" and the only problem with this is that at 2.27min, it leaves you wanting more, but even so, I guarantee you'll be starting a mush pit in your bedroom, even if you only have your kitten and a few stuffed animals to lay into.
My favourite song (after the initial five listens) has to be 'All Signs Point To Lauderdale'. The lyrics, "I hate this town//it’s all washed up//and all my friends don’t give a fuck//they’ll tell me that it’s just bad luck//when will I find where I fit in?" just make me want to pull on a pair of legwarmers and pretend I was 14 again. It's very pop-punk, save some backup gang vocals; “At least I can say I stand for something,” followed by its little poppy breakdown makes it certain to be a crowd pleaser on their live shows, and offers a little respite from the inevitable pits that this record will bring to a venue near you.
“You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic” has to be my favourite song title on this record and it picks back up with the typicality of an A Day to Remember song, with their winning formula back in play - (in case you forget: screamed verses + melodic vocals + breakdown) and it's standard ADTR offerings and is guaranteed to satisfy fans of their 'harder' stuff.
Closing the album is 'If I Leave' and provides a powerful close to what has been 10 tracks of pure deliciousness. It's a great way to draw the album to a close and proves that whilst the boys might have made a more radio-friendly album with this bundle of joy and in doing so have taken yet another step away from the metalcore genre, they still know what makes a good record.
Of course, there are going to be people out there who accuse them of selling out, because lets face it, if you listen to And Their Name Was Treason, and then whack this on, you're going to notice a drastic change, but whilst you call it 'selling out', I call it progress.
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison