Introducing...Man Overboard [11/2/08]

I'm going to start to try to introduce more bands. More genres, more sounds. For this week, we all have that little "pop-punk" fetish. I'm not talking about All Time Low and that crap. I'm talking about old school Saves The Day. This weeks "Indroducing..." segment is Man Overboard.


It's no secret, these guys know what they are doing. Featuring ex-members of The Front Page and Bangarang, Man Overboard is well done pop-punk. They have an insanely impressive EP, "Hung Up On Nothing" and everyone should pick it up. Expect to see them on this blog later this month with something cool.

Man Overboard on Myspace
Buy the "Hung Up On Nothing" EP

Track By Track: Callahan- Face The Day [EP]

Track By Track: Callahan- Face The Day [EP]
Unsigned

I'm starting to turn away from the more "poppyier" stuff due to the Fall season approaching. But, I might as well end it off on a good note. Hailing from Springfield, Ohio; Callahan bring comparisons from All Time Low to Valencia, and even to Ohio's own Hit The Lights. They released their new EP "Face The Day."

1. This One's For The History Books- Immediately, I became hooked to this release within 30 seconds. Vocalist Ryan Clay brings resemblance to AG from All Time Low. Pounding guitars mixed with soft vocals, the lyric "Boys Will Be Boys" will be stuck in your head for about six hours (As the case for me).

2. The Bittersweet July- Teasing guitars enter the beginning of the song. Mixed with the pounding vocals from Clay again, this band seems to have the EP moving in the direction they want. This seems like one of those "feel good" songs. However, it doesn't lead into the next song very well.

3. Dressed To Impress- Some bands in the similar genre go through the same problem: Why do songs sound the same throughout the album? I wish bands would realize that you don't need to contain one sound to become "known." This song doesn't really do anything for me. It actually bores me at times. I mean, when I start guessing the next lyric.. you can tell it's one of those generic pop-punk songs.

4. Face The Day- When I originally heard this song, I thought it was from the band Parade The Day. This is probably the strongest song on the album. With the guitar teamwork from Jake Bonham and Brad Comer, it keeps your foot tapping. It also doesn't hurt that the man behind the kit (Wes Comer) knows what he's doing. Again, vocalist Ryan Clay sounds really smooth and comfortable in this song. It sounds like he's not trying to force things; he's just letting things happen. "I'll fall asleep waiting for you."

5. When Morning Comes- I heard the intro and I thought it was Spitalfield. Guitars remind me of the old Chicago band. This song isn't the strongest song on the album. It probably would have been more appreciated by me if tracks three and five were switched in the order. However, the negative to this song: It sounds like I've heard the song before.

6. Love Stories Never Have Endings- Many bands tend to albums off horrible. If bands would pretend albums were essays in English, you'd need a strong conclusion/clincher sentence. In this case, Callahan knows how to write an essay. Reminding me of The Dangerous Summer, the gang vocals at about 30 seconds left in the song are genius.

Overview: This is a solid release. Nothing overdone and nothing that really can kill the mood. It'll probably be in my friends car next summer when he can drive. And this probably will make great beach music. Check it out if you like: Valencia, The Dangerous Summer, All Time Low, or Hit The Lights

Score: 74%

Myspace
Buy @ Smartpunk

Just Surrender- Stronger Now EP

It hasn't even been a year yet since Just Surrender released We're In Like Sin. Quite frankly, I found that album a huge let down compared to If These Streets Could Talk. The release contained too much pop; unlike the sound Just Surrender established in previous works. So I was pleasantly surprised to see them coming out with a new EP, Stronger Now.

Strong Now contains four songs. Two new tracks, an acoustic, and a remix. The EP leads with the self titled track "Stronger Now." Hopefully, this is an indication to what direction Just Surrender takes for the future. Many can say the best trait Just Surrender carries is how they have two polished singers. Jason Maffucci and Dan Simons might be one of the best co-singers in music right now. Such as in the track "Crazy"; both Maffucci and Simons bounce back and fourth with the lyric "You've got me going crazy, crazy, crazy." The band has seemed also to bring back the old sound by the return of former guitarist Andrew Meunier. One can hear old sounds to this new EP.

The album tends to mellow out with the acoustic rendition of "I Can Barely Breathe." It really showcases the talents of the singers in this band as well as their guitar work. Just Surrender decided they needed to do a remix of a song that wasn't that good in the beginning. "I Said It Before's" remix is terrible. I mean, you can listen to it. But, do I really need to listen to DDR or dance pop music? I came to listen to Poughkeepsie's finest band. Just a fun track they added.

Overall, Stronger Now really opens my ears again. I practically wrote off on this band with their last release; but I am excited to see what happens in the future with this band. With such tours as Warped Tour and touring nationally, Just Surrender have a very short path to follow to success.

Score: 76%
Myspace
Buy at Warped Tour