Initially when I heard this CD I thought, "My God, this could be Boy Like Girl's sophomore album," but seeing them live they're two completely different bands. The first track is a cute track called "Secret Valentine" that is pretty easily forgotten, but good while it lasts. "Skyway Avenue" is their first single and a bit cliché "Cause if you jump, I will jump too." It reminds me a bit of Yellowcard's "Way Away" but not as good. It's got a catchy hook though. Now, "Check Yes Juliet" is ADDICTIVE. It's got those claps, and the AOAOs. It's got so much energy, and I pressed repeat a few times on this one. You don't even notice the lyrics are just as cliché as the last track because it's got that screamable chorus, and awesome drum beat. "Stay Young" keeps up with the woahs, and finally changes topics, plus a sweet guitar solo. "Whoa" on the other hand is actually a bit annoying, it's a sad excuse for a chorus, and Paramore AND Say Anything already pulled that. The next few tracks kind of blend together in a pop punk haze, "Headlines Read Out..." caught my ear with a Hellogoodbye-esque intro and a multi-syllabic chorus, and more woah's. "I am not the kind that will hide beneath the lights and the lyrical one liners." I like "All Again For You" a lot for some reason. Maybe I just like the way Travis' sings in verses, or maybe it's the way the music goes. Maybe I just like songs where girls fuck boys over... "You were everything that's bad for me. Make no apologies. I'm crushed... Black and blue. But you know I'd do it all again for you." Yet again, We The Kings recycles with their hometown dedication. It's the last song and ends the album much differently than it begins with a string section and extra backup vocals. It's a fairly strong track, but lasts only two and a half minutes, and feels like it ends pretty abruptly. We The Kings is danceable pop punk, their lyrics are easy and screamable. They'll keep you pulled in with those chorus' that you find yourself singing going, what band am I singing? Trust me on this, it's nothing new, and you could find a bunch of substitutes but it's got it's charms and isn't a bad CD to pop in for a spin or two.
3.5 out of 5 [CO]