UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
A Good Song Makes Your Feet Tap, A Great Song Starts A Fire
In 2005, when the Florida-based pop-punk and hardcore 
band A Day to Remember released their debut, And Their Name Was Treason, it was a big deal. ADTR clones had not yet infested the industry and the band’s strange combination of pop-punk hooks and hardcore riffs and breakdowns was novel. That first album sold 8,000 copies on word of mouth alone, which led to a signing with Victory Records. Since then, countless bands have tried to emulate the sound that ADTR is credited with creating. 2008’s offering, For Those Who Have Heart, had a massive impact on me. So, number one on my list for most anticipated album of 2009 was ADTR’s Homesick.
Homesick is the defining album for A Day to Remember. The band has managed to progress without abandoning their style or form. Though Homesick is decidedly mellower than For Those Who Have Heart, it still has some serious kick. Homesick covers all the bases, borrowing from the genres of pop, punk, hardcore, and screamo, making sure there’s a little something for everyone. Jeremy McKinnon’s delicious combination of clean, velvety vocals and down and dirty growls are a little piece of hardcore heaven. The lyrics are poignant, memorable and one can easily relate to them. "Have Faith in Me" is perfect for those of you who love to post your favorite lyrics as your Facebook status. A good example: “I’ve gone crazy/cause there are things in the streets I don’t believe/so we’ll pretend it’s alright and stay in for the night/oh what a world/I’ll keep you safe here with me.”
Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End" combines the ferocity of metal with the sing-along anthems of pop-punk. Plus, the track features one of the best face-melting breakdowns I’ve heard in a long time. At about 2:39, turn the volume up and prepare to lose your mind. You’ll feel like you’re being punched in the gut repeatedly…in a good way. Although each song has its own style, the signature “gang vocals” and blistering guitar riffs provide a common thread. Special guests Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada makes an appearance on "I’m Made of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?", and Sierra Kusterbeck of VersaEmerge lends her lovely vocals to the sweet ballad, "If It Means A Lot To You." This heart-tugging acoustic track about attempting to hold onto a relationship while on the road, proves the band’s ability to do it all. The entire album was produced by the unstoppable Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage and Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory.
A Day to Remember has created the album that every other band in their genre should aspire to record. I believe Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine said it best. “A good song should make you wanna tap your feet and get with your girl. A great song should destroy cop cars and set fire to the suburbs. I’m only interested in writing great songs.” All my love and gratitude to ADTR and every other band that creates songs that set fires.
-- Jenn D’Imperio
A Day to Remember’s live performance is not for the easily bruised or faint of heart. If Taylor Swift is in heavy rotation on your iPod, they are probably not for you. But, if you have a soft spot for a beautifully heavy breakdown and feel brave, you can check out ADTR’s awesomeness at some upcoming local shows. ADTR will headline with the stellar opening acts of Silverstein and August Burns Red at the following locations:
April 8th, 2010 @ Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ
April 9th &10th, 2010 @ Nokia Theatre Times Square in New York, NY
Further reading:
Two Reviews:
Topics: student life, Fashion Culture