Four Year Strong “In Some Way, Shape or Form” Review

Four Year Strong looks like a hockey team during the playoffs. They play music like it’s game 7. They win it all with defense. By that, I mean they have never backed down from being Four Year Strong. The opening single, “Just Drive”, is a Four Year Strong song without a doubt. Distorted guitars, intricate drumming and the classic dual vocals between Dan O’Connor and Alan Day. The only thing missing is the never very apparent keyboards of Josh Lyford.

Even though Lyford was never very noticeable as a keyboardist, his gut wrenching screams are missed with FYS’s heavier sound on In Some Way, Shape Or Form. The heaviest moments on their sophomore album, Enemy Of The World, were made even heavier by Lyford on songs like “On A Saturday” and “What The Hell Is A Gigawatt?”. His screams are missed this time around on songs like “Sweet Kerosene”. The opportunities are abundant on ISWSOF, but in an attempt to sound more mature, Lyford was fired.

Album highlights include “Stuck In The Middle”, the would be balladry of “Only The Meek Get Pinched, The Bold Survive”, and “Heaven Wasn’t Built To Hold Me”. In Some Way, Shape Or Form does not trump Enemy Of The World, but it does show growth in the band, which is always a good sign.

Overall: 3/5 It’s enjoyable, but not as well done as their previous efforts. If you are a Four Year Strong fan, this is a must have. If you are a casual listener, get started with their older stuff. Also, ironically the album art has a couple hockey sticks on it.

Mayday Parade “Mayday Parade” Review

On their third full length album, Mayday Parade did something fairly new to the controversy riddled band. Their debut was written and recorded while Jason Lancaster was still in the band, but released after he left. Having written the majority of the album, most didn’t think Mayday Parade would last. On their second album, the band enlisted a slue of co-writers mostly known for penning pop hits. The album charted well, but was received with generally mixed reviews and the band was bashed by fans and critics alike for the co-writers.

This time around, Mayday Parade wrote the album by themselves. And in doing so, they returned to the form of their debut: dual vocals. Except this time, there is a trio. Derek Sanders keeps the title as lead vocalist, but throughout the course of the album, drummer Jake Bundrick and bassist Jeremy Lenzo are heard contributing their vocals. The contrast in voices isn’t as noticeable as it was with Lancaster, but it’s still a bit of a change of pace.

Another new thing for Mayday Parade is the guitar solos. The guitar work has improved ten fold from their previous albums. This could be due to their contribution to Punk Goes Classic Rock, where the band did a spot on rendition of Queen’s “We Are The Champions”. Having to imitate Brian May can be inspiration enough to attempt to do it on your own songs. Alex Garcia is no Brian May, but he’s accepting the spotlight on songs like “Happy Endings Are Just Stories That Haven’t Ended Yet” and “No Heroes Allowed”.

Major song highlights include “You’re Dead Wrong”, “Oh Well, Oh Well”, and “Stay”. Mayday Parade is an album full of pop songs with emo lyrics and pop punk attitude. This is nothing new, and closer to their sophomore effort Anywhere But Here than the band would lead you to believe, but it is enjoyable all the same.

Overall: 3.5/5 Very enjoyable album. Could be the album that breaks the band into the mainstream… which is a gift and a curse. If you enjoy the new genre emo-pop, check this album out and turn it to 11.