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Bayside

Shudder
2008
Victory

Bayside - Shudder (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Ben
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Published on November 21st 2008

It took me a long time to warm up to Bayside. It wasn't until their 2007 album, The Walking Wounded, that I counted myself amongst their fans. The band's earlier albums, while showing promise, made it clear that Bayside had a long way to go before reaching anything close to their full potential as songwriters. They seemed to arrive there with The Walking Wounded, and while Shudder doesn't do much to demonstrate further growth, it does see the band carry on with a sound that stands out amongst many of their pop-punk peers.

If Shudder is different from The Walking Wounded in any sense, it would be that Bayside has picked up the pace a little bit, which can be seen in songs such as "Have Fun Storming the Castle" and "Rochambo." Meanwhile, longtime Bayside fans will find solace in "The Ghost of St. Valentine" and "No One Understands." In these songs, the hooks are largely the same, but they come more frequently. The rest of the album falls very close in line to The Walking Wounded. Anthony Raneri's vocals are still heavily influenced by some of Chicago's finest (Alkaline Trio, Smoking Popes) and carry a huge dose of melancholy and woe. One shouldn't smite him for wearing his influences so clearly on his sleeve, as Raneri's vocals are still the most appealing aspect of the band. With the band's early releases, he came off as a second-rate Skiba, but time has given him the opportunity (and perhaps tragedy) to develop a more distinct voice.

Bayside has been around long enough that they're starting to influence a new generation of pop-punk bands, and that's a good thing because they have a more mature approach to the genre than many of their contemporaries. They're not without their flaws, still being inconsistent at times and repetitive at others, but these shortcomings shouldn't stand in the way of the enjoyment that Shudder can provide.

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Posted by nebraska on 2008-12-09 21:38:22
My Score:

i am a big fan of this band, and they keep stepping it up on every album. this is a great record.

Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2008-11-25 19:10:39
My Score:

Not as great as The Walking Wounded, but a high step above their first two releases.

Good review, solid album.

Posted by chrisafi on 2008-11-25 02:45:56

People saying this band are bland - your basically right.

This is melodic punk but not in the style of e.g. The Loved Ones where you still get plenty of punch. Punk to be honest, is probably a stretch of the term alot of the time.

However, all that said, this is FUCKING GOOD for what it is. And that's a rock-pop record ala Jimmy Eat World

Posted by mattramone on 2008-11-23 20:22:27

Scooter,

I not only avoid this band because of the two things you mentioned, but also because of their ridiculous promo shots. Life's too short to give a chance to people who would make those kinds of awful decisions.

Love and Hugs,

Matt

PS - TIMBERWOLVES!

Posted by goodbye_kid on 2008-11-23 18:35:57
My Score:

Posted by Bipedcasserole on 2008-11-23 17:47:52

i know it's stupid, but when i hear a band is on victory, my first instinct is to just forget i ever heard their name.

yeah, i know they put out some good shit a while ago, but the shit to sweet ratio's like 15:1.

as such, i probably won't buy this. ever.

Posted by animal26 on 2008-11-22 10:11:41

...that's not the score I meant to give. Oh well.

Posted by animal26 on 2008-11-22 10:08:27
My Score:

This review is pretty accurate. The records have consistently gotten more listenable. On Sirens and Condolences and their Self-Titled, they tended to catch lightning in a bottle with some amazing parts, and then fall flat on their faces in others. The newer two records don't seem to reach either of those extremes, but are more consistently pretty good.

Posted by bongsmcj on 2008-11-22 08:17:46

these guys are totally boring and ridiculously bland in my humble opinion

showoff was the best!

Posted by ramblinboyofpleasure on 2008-11-22 07:21:21

i give this review 2 stars.learn to spell and the first two albums are unbelievable

Posted by DarthNader on 2008-11-22 00:37:18

victory sucks.

this album is okay.

Posted by punk_sk on 2008-11-21 23:34:21
My Score:

it's really a great record

Posted by Misanthropee on 2008-11-21 22:54:56

Scoring standards are becoming seriously warped on this site.

Also, Scott eats pee pee.

Posted by maverick on 2008-11-21 19:34:39
My Score:

Killer record. I was never into this band before, but I cannot stop playing this one. "The Ghost Of St. Valentine" is easily one of my favorite standalone songs this year; shit is just incredible.

Don't avoid this band because of their label or former touring partners; I made that mistake for too long.

-Scott

Posted by minorkaty on 2008-11-21 19:21:15

It's so strange... I love Bayside, I think they're incredible songwriters, but I just can't get into this album. I don't dislike it, but it doesn't seem to have the POWER that their self-titled and "The Walking Wounded" had. Even so, the lyrics, the more I listen, are absolutely stellar.

I don't know why I can't get into this as much as their last few albums, but it makes me sad that I can't.

Posted by deadxlast on 2008-11-21 17:42:16
My Score:

It's a shame that Bayside gets grouped unfairly with modern pop-rock acts like Boys Like Girls and Say Anything. They seem more to me like a really solid rock act with classic punk influences and a lot of misery and hopeless frustration to get out. They've gotten progressively better with each album as well. I doubt most of their "peers" are going to be as progressed four albums into their careers.

Posted by red_eye_inc on 2008-11-21 16:50:57
My Score:

I really dig this album. It took me a while to seperate them from the heap of other pop-punk bands but I'm glad I put the time in. They're kind of like a faster Smoking Popes or Alkaline Trio with more guitar solos. I know those names get thrown around a lot but the comparison's are accurate.

Posted by mikexdude on 2008-11-21 14:42:50
My Score:

Not bad.

Posted by sceneupdates on 2008-11-21 14:15:19

I feel similar to Brian. Bayside as a whole aren't really a band that get a lot of spins, but when I remember I have the albums, I enjoy listening to it.

Posted by inagreendase on 2008-11-21 13:53:59
My Score:

I don't know if I like this as much as Wounded. I'm never in the mood to listen to it, but I definitely like a lot of it when it's put on.

Still think Sirens & Condolences was their best, though.

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