Just finished my first listen. CD came today thank you merchnow!? Some thoughts if anyone is interested: Amazing. This the album I've been waiting them to write for years. Production is fantastic, lyrics are interesting, guitars are huge and solos abound. Drums and bass stood out too in areas but gonna need more time to fully appreciate all of it. Numb is the closest thing to a slower paced on this. It too has a guitar solo. The guitar lead of Heaven sent me there. Along with another sweet solo. I think this is the track they said sounded closest to "Mary". It's better than Mary though. Only tracks that were kind middle of the road for me were Trouble and Walk It Off The closer (White Flags) yet another ripper. The whole album jut sounds so lively and confident. I think anyone who was disappointed with Vacancy leaning more into the pop side will dig this. Anyone else get their CD/vinyl or anything?
The battle of the band’s thing is kind of brilliant marketing for the band. More than 1,000 submissions and voting is only done through Bayside’s website, which means they’re likely to get 100,000 people visit their website who normally wouldn’t.
I really can’t get into Lilac (it’s a major bummer) but that is one of the few songs I actually like off of it.
I really wish that there was a way to only allow ticketed people to vote for the battle of the bands at their venue. It would keep the contest from being less of a popularity contest and give it to the best sounding bands. That being said, it's still an amazing opportunity and Bayside deserves huge props for putting it together.
I believe it. 4/4 now and they are all top tier Bayside jams - hot damn! Seriously. I can't believe how consistently great these tracks are! I can't remember the last time I was this excited for a new Bayside record. Probably when Shudder was announced? They're actually gonna put out a record as good as Walking Wounded... or... even better?? Whaaaa