As I'm writing this I am listening to the much anticipated release from A Day To Remember. Common Courtesy is self-released and is out now on this here website commoncourtesy.adtrstore.com the physical release date is somewhat vague because of the self-funded nature of the album.
Boy, A Day To Remember aren't half good at what they do, aren't they? This their fifth studio album further solidifies their position in an area of music they totally, totally, dominate. After bursting onto the scene with their sophomore album For Those Who Have A Heart they had tapped into a field of music that was refreshing if, however, slightly controversial. The unusual mix of pop-punk and crushing metalcore/hardcore styles resonates with many people who find ADTR a perfect median between the two.
Album opener City Of Ocala is straight up pop-punk. No bullshitting. Full pop-punk songs was an experiment ADTR conducted on their last record What Separates Me From You. While not perfect on the last release even the first song on this album has the nail hit on the head. While not breakdown laden and heavy, the finest New Found Glory-esque pop rock song is the outcome.
Okay, so pop-punk is not an issue, what about ADTR's heavier side? Has that taken a sideline in favour of their poppier, more accessible songwriting?
Hell no...
This album is filled with a very Homesick type array of pummelling, fist-pumping anthems. Lead single Violence (Enough is Enough) is a perfect example of this renewed angular assault. The edge that many said was missing from their somewhat sugar coated previous record is back with a vengeance. Songs like Sometimes You're The Hammer, Sometimes You're The Nail are nothing new in terms of content but it is the execution that sells this and basically the whole album. Alex Shelnutt's drumming is precise and powerful as he double-basses away in perfect unison with the guitar section made up of Neil Westfall, Kevin Skaff and Joshua Woodard. The licks that penetrate the overriding rhythm are very reminiscent of a certain Parkway Drive (which, as a avid Parkway fan, suites me perfectly). Life Lessons Learned The Hard Way involves singer Jeremy McKinnon's layered screaming over jumping, flying guitar riffs and enough breakdowns to make you break your house... down, pun regrettably intended.
Lets take a step back, though. This is a step in either direction for ADTR. The softer, more melodic songs have also had modification and tweaks made to them. Again, nothing drastically different but more so a band developing their type of music. Right Back At It Again and I'm Already Gone are perfect examples of this. Neither style is hindered by another and on many occations ADTR just do what they do best. Merge the two together.
That's not to say this album doesn't have its faults. The simple fact that the song positions within the album are just not right is a starter. The album flow from one end to the other is sometimes painfully broken up by a misplaced, out-of-place song that, while good as a singular softer song for instance, may not sit well when the song beforehand mad you want to punch walls.
Then there's the issue of Jeremy's voice harmonies. The natural voice of Jeremy McKinnon is that of an angel don't get me wrong. But sometimes the harmonies laid out over the top of many a chorus sound too superficial to even take seriously. Lyrically, yup, he's still fighting 'cause no one can bring him down...
Common Courtesy is the beautiful, expertly executed mash up of a record we were all hoping to hear from the Floridian quintet. Fat has been re injected to the mix and the result is a masterclass of ADTR doing what they do best. What they do best hasn't changed for the last seven years either. A bad thing?
Hell no...
8/10
Seb Wainwright
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