MONIQUE'S TWO CENTS...
First and foremost let me apologize for not discussing “Even if it Kills Me” this month. The CD released on the 18th and rather than rushing through it, I decided to wait til October and give the CD the love it deserves. All I have to say is Motion City Soundtrack had better not fail me now… September has been a throwback month, I don’t know about you but with all the new summer CDs my pre-summer collection has been collecting dust, I decided to show them some love. Another issue another column, she’s alone again… where’s Steve?!
The Audition – “Dance Halls Turn to Ghost Towns”
You can’t help but to groove when this song starts. It’s an “oh snap” song; yanno when it starts you just yell “oooooh snap” and start shaking. Yes, boys shake too. This song is super dramatic with its hushed verses that slowly build; by the chorus you’re bursting with energetic dancing, and then wham it’s quiet again. If you haven’t played this song in a while, next time you’re in the car with some friends pop it on and see how they react. The Audition is one of those bands that I simply do not understand why they aren’t mainstream; they do everything right and “Dance Halls…” showcases that.
Line of choice: “Two hints lust, then I mix some charm with a dash of wits.”
Dust it off and give it a spin – “Controversy Loves Company”
Other Notable tracks: “Lawyers”, “Approach the Bench” & “You’ve Made Us Conscious”
Fall Out Boy – “Chicago is so Two Years Ago”
Before the sold out stadiums and TRL appearances, there was “Take This to Your Grave”. I can’t help but to smile whenever this song plays, even though the subject isn’t happy, it’s still done in that sing-along and dance Fall Out Boy fashion. This song is a staple FOB song and could’ve been on any of the four CDs. The syncopation of bridge adds another element to the song where the silence of the “breakdown” makes the song unexpected and fresh. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better; Justin Pierre (MCS lead singer) belts out the end.
Line of choice: “Loaded words and loaded friends are loaded guns to our heads.”
Because it’s FOB – “Take This to Your Grave”
Other Notable tracks: “Homesick at Space Camp”, “Saturday” & “Dead on Arrival”
New Found Glory – “Coming Home”
This is the New Found Glory I know and love. When I first heard, they were making a new CD I was a little scared because Catalyst was just that freakin good. I’ll admit it took me a couple spins to start to enjoy this CD. I just couldn’t listen to it with unbiased ears. “Coming Home” (the song) reminds me so much of “My Friends Over You” and “It’s Been a Summer”; like it’s their super poppy and airy but more meaningful older cousin. Title tracks are supposed to say everything the CD is about and this song definitely does its duty. If you know me at all then you already know my favorite part is the “whoa ohs”.
Line of choice: “Unaware of the normal life I had frustration building a foundation”
It’s been a year – “Coming Soon”
Other Notable tracks: “Too Good to Be”, “Hold My Hand” & “Oxygen”
The Early November – “Take Time to Find”
First let me say, it was so hard choosing just one song to talk about because so many of their songs are amazing and I don’t throw that word around lightly. If you’ve never gotten around to truly listening to TEN take 10 minutes of your life, borrow a friend’s CD and listen on random. Doesn’t matter which album (as long as it’s not “The Path”) or what three songs, this band is just that good. It’s a shame they remained a cult hit their entire existence, but then again that made their live shows that much more intense. “Take Time to Find” incorporates backing ohs, with a noisy, dirty guitar, powerful singing and a steady beat of a drummer. If you’re into that gritty sound, the intro will suck you in instantaneously. If you’re into that cleaner sound, check out Ashla Rock. PS. If you have the last CD listen to “Guess What” on the 3rd disc.
Line of choice: “I'd like to single out every smack against my head”
They’ve always been on your to-do list – “For All of This” & “The Rooms Too Cold”
Other Notable tracks: “Something that Produces Results”, “Sesame, Smeshame”, “We Write the Wrong” & “Ever so Sweet”