Yo, I'm on a quest for Xanga credits. c: Trying to change my username, because I just don't feel like physically moving to another account. So, yes. Today was a good day for good music. Fall Out Boy's new
song, 'Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet' is amazing. I like it better than 'I Don't Care,' I think; the first verse is just so addicting. In addition, Hey Monday's highly-anticipated debut album 'Hold On Tight' is officially out. I bought it and the new FOB single the minute I came home from school, lol. Anyways, I think it's time for another one of my album reviews. -thumbs up-

Set Off
The opening riffs are pretty powerful, but the song immediately ups the pace and alters the tone. The is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album. The instrumentation is upbeat and poppy, and Cassadee's voice is great. She has really good control over her tone, etc, and I've heard they put on a good live show. [November 2nd, dudes, haha. Bill and Trav's Bogus Journey Tour! <3] This song is a great way to start the album... to introduce it, if you will.

How You Love Me Now
Easily my favorite song on the record, and I'm not sure why. The 'woah-oh's between verses add a really nice effect to it. The vocals are skillfully executed, especially in the chorus. The pre-choral "Can't understand? / I'll slow it down for you" is pretty cool, since the sound kinda fades out and crashes back in during the hook.

Homecoming
The first single for this new addition to the Decaydance family, and the first Hey Monday song I've ever heard--thank youuuu, Mixtape. I thought it was catchy... a little too poppy, though... but the rest of the album has reconstructed my views on this new band.

Obvious
Another favorite, roflmao. I promise--I won't say that anymore. It's just that I like a lot of the earlier tracks. Geez, so sue me. The vocal pattern in the hook is addicting, and the drumming during the verses... the skeleton of the song, I'd say. The crunchy chords during the hook are definitely highlights. In addition, the little lead-guitar melody in the bridge keeps the song from being rehash-y and repetitive. The way the song fades out = nice choice.

Candles
This song, I've noticed, is extremely popular among fans. The guys (and Cass) could easily make this a single, and it'd be extremely successful. The pace kinda tones down from the upbeat feel of the first song, and the use of powerchords during the chorus = effective. The lyrics on this one really stand out to me, I think. Miss Pope's voice at its best.
Run, Don't Walk
The intro guitar is really good. Again, I like the lyrics. You know, Hey Monday seems like one of those bands that is exceedingly good at backing up the stuff in the verses; every song has had effective instrumentation during the verses. It moves the song along well.

Josey
Eh, not really a standout for me. The opening lyrics are clever and have some dry honesty about them, but I'm not a fan of the vocal melody. The guitar isn't anything special beyond the intro, and the drumming patterns... pretty standard. "Her dress whispers 'reckless'" is a good line, though. This is probably one of those "eh, I'll skip it" tracks of the CD.

Hurricane Streets
Okay, I lied. Another favorite. :P Dude, I think I have, like, six "favorites" from this eleven-track album. LOL, I FAIL. Yay, return to something with a nicer melody. Although, I have to say, the hook is the immediate stand-out of the song. At first, I thought the high-pitched stuff would equal immediate disaster, but Cass pulled it off well. The instrumentation kinda slows into a swing-y rhythm during it, as well, which is a solid back-up.

Arizona
To me, this song has a medium pace--as opposed to the slow crooning of 'Candles' and most of the other stuff's fast-paced hooks. I think it was a good choice, though; the end of the album is coming, and slowing it down makes a lasting effect.

Should've Tried Harder
The style is powerful--the two chords, then waver-y fade during some of the verse. I like the words, as well--with the aforemetioned style, it help the 'challenging' and 'I-told-you-so' tone. Although, I do have one little... thing. I'm not a fan of the accidental-style pitches during the word "harder" in the hook. Eh.

6 Months
A lot of bands take a lot of time, carefully arranging the tracks on an album to portray a certain message they want to get across. '6 Months' is a lovely acoustic song with a solid melody in the chorus. I've said it before, and I'll say it again--Cassadee's voice is great, and perfectly controlled. It suits the sound of an acoustic guitar well. The "You love me, I love you harder" part is powerful. The way the instrumentation cuts of, and she sings louder--good writing on their part. The ending was a nice way to finish off a very professional first album. [Hey, Bokura no Love Style came on. lol. -closes out iTunes-]

overall ;
Hey Monday's [formerly 'Blake'] 'Hold On Tight' is an overwhelmingly fresh first album, filled with catchy hooks, professional vocals, and radio-friendly melody. Oh, and guys? Stop comparing them to Paramore. Just because they have a female front...woman and are of the pop-punk genre... doesn't mean they're like Paramore. Cass's voice is more high-pitched than Hayley's, and more controlled... which Hayley's is more powerful, and slightly more expressive. Plus, their STYLE of music is extremely different, even though they're both within the same genre. So, yeah. Great work, guys. We'll be expecting stuff of similar quality from now on. :]

+ 8 Oct 2008 -- willow -- comment?