great review.

check out my friends band waking ashland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQHHKjiiSwM

I prefer Jack's Mannequin over SoCo. But SoCo is ok too.

Some people are so... [there's no other word to describe them...] mean. Haha. Yes. Laugh all you want at me. I don't mind.

I can understand how some people would think SoCo sucks. However, I'm not one of those people. Umm.... I think this album isn't that bad. Depending on what angle you're looking at it from. The lyrics aren't bad. The music isn't bad. I think it's fine.

And considering the fact that their frontman, Andrew McMahon, just got over cancer, that's kinda cruel of you guys. And don't just go on to say 'Oh but he's a rich asshole from the OC!' He's not. I live in Orange County, I would know. Orange County sucks, yes. But no I am not in any way shape or form RICH.

Just don't go dissing Andrew. He's a good writer and I like his lyrics. Again, that's my opinion. Say whatever the fuck you want.

This album, I admit, happens to be a subjected victim of marketing, and although they are poppy, Something Corporate rock!

North is Something Corporate's best album yet, and the one thing about being a little poppy is the tunes are unfogetable. Maybe a misfortune for a few?!

You guys are all poser assholes
SomethingCorporate kicks ass

I love this CD. I think Something Corporate is a good band. I listen to everything from AFI to NoFX to FATA and Coheed and Cambria. This is an enjoyable CD. Who cares who it gets marketed to or if these guys are good enough instrumentalists to play in a professional orchestra somewhere. There is no 'punk' scene. There is no 'hardcore' scene. Scenes are crap built up for certain groups to label themselves and then bad mouth other groups. Who fucking cares. SoCo kicks ass.

I bet the only reason there's a comments section is for the staff to have something to laugh at.

can you guys stop trying to come up with innovative ways to review records? they're fucking pathetic. just stick to the classic way .. i hate reading letters to individual assholes. i want to know about the musical credibility, the style, delivery, etc ... not why one group will like this and why another will like it for something else. shut up.

"OUTKAST DONT u ever call something corporate talentless i will slit your throat"

Their bass player is pretty horrible, hell I'm better than he is...and I admit I suck, at least I don't grow ugly facial hair and wear aviator glasses. Just because they have a piano player doesn't make them talented. They can write simple chord progressions and what not, but there's nothing thats out super new in terms of what they're doing.

Whats funny, is that I actually liked the song "Woke Up in a Car" it was catchy, but then I saw them live, and they can't even play their own songs well.....When your studio work is your only stuff that sounds good, thats not talent, thats a good producer.

If you want real talent in the pop rock genre, check out Howie Day....and even he's not uber talented, just super innovative....

I know, because those that don't agree with you have to be in the band. Maybe you're an ass and can't respect other kinds of music. Pull your dick out of the past and realize that there's other things out there. Why do I keep coming to this site?

blah blah blah blah blah blah. blah blah. shut the fuck up..

i think those two guys must be in the band or something, because anyone with ears knows that this is derivative crap. the fact that you don't hear it anywhere else in the punk scene is simply because this is NOT punk music, and is not played by kids who are even influenced by punk music.

lastly, this score is NOT for something corporate, it is for ELTON JOHN, which is exactly what i would listen to instead of this fucking shit.

How is this so marketable? I've never hard anything like this in the "Punk" community. Get your heads out of your asses and learn to respect other kinds of music. Not everything needs to sound the same.

Where the fuck do you see all this marketing? I saw the damn commercial twice you dickheads.

God, you fucking morons are giving this a bad score becuase it's not elvis? Something different doesn't mean that its a corporate scam, let's look at things in a realistic light. Go fuck rancid, ill take these guys anyday. At least they know how to write music.

isnt this album already being played at middle school dances?

bout time dave matthews put out some new stuff

whoa..last one scary chill

OUTKAST DONT u ever call something corporate talentless i will slit your throat

something corporate is definitly not PUNK. its piano rock, but its def a worth while album to buy so shut up pigs

why do these talentless bands keep getting reviewed

please stop

so uh, where's the costello album review??

I cannot apologise enough on behalf of the United Kingdom for unleashing Coldplay upon your poor souls

This aint a score for anything cos i haven't heard the CD it's only just come out in England

conversation at mca (before they went fucking bankrupt:
"look, punks like being "punk." they really talk shit about bands with compromised ethics, and unorignal, derivative sounds, but i'm willing to gamble that that's all just bullshit. what we do is, we find a band that sounds just like all the other fashion rock out there, but give them "emo" haircuts. we call them "punk." we could even release their records on our punk label, drive-in, or whatever. that way, the punks will eat it up. the band will have "cred!" all the while, they will never suspect that this is just another one of our thinly veiled schemes for cash and power." (evil laughter all around. richard from drive-thru, at the meeting stands up from his chair.)
"they'll never suspect a thing!!" he says.

we suspect, motherfuckers.

yeah, but if geffen's marketing them as a corporate band, they should market them to the fucking general public rather than pigeonholing them in an unappreciative and uncompromising scene.
the current "EXPLOSION!!!" of punk rock into the mainstream makes this band into an insult, almost... it just makes it seem like the label execs think we're stupid.

Richard from Drive Thru gives great head!

In the band's defense, they did try to warn you how they sounded by the name of their band.

and i meant forgetable melodies, rather than memories. this fucking headbangers ball shit is fucking with my attention span. he really used the words "anthrax" and "emo" in the same sentence. unfuckingbelievable.

adam is one diplomatic guy/he is the shit.

its true... i am willing to bet that most of us appreciate a wide variety of music. this band just offers very little to the music scene. if i want to buy a corporate rock album with this typical kind of singing and middle-of-the-road, forgetable memories, i would buy something else... i don't know what. but not this. this stuff is just weak, watered down, diluted. blah blah cookie.

by the way, the stupid fuck on headbanger's ball is wearing a pitchfork shirt, talking about anthrax's "safe home" being an example of perfectly executed emocore. our scene is dead.

More fun responses:

"just because someone actually has musical talent and can utilize a piano, violin, or any other classical instrument it doesn't automatically deem it as crap. I am not defending the new Soco cd, but I am defending all cds in which musicians used something other than straight up 3 chord power to ram their songs right down your throat."

Although I don't know if this was directed at me specifically, I'll respond as if it was: go read my reviews of the Clann Zu, Slackers, New Pornographers or Mescaleros albums. I have no problem with classical instrumentation or a lack of distortion. I just don't think this record has the necessary songwriting to make it interesting to me. This is a tame, mainstream record with a very that should have a very targeted appeal to young pop punk kids. The fact that I didn't like it has nothing to do with my "musical horizons" being limited to Ramones-punk.

"if sites like this keep reviewing bands like this the record labels are going to keep marketing shit like this to the scene, if you ignore it it'll probably go away"

Geffen sent me the record, so I'll review it just like I would any other record. Its up to the label’s marketers to see that this music isn't getting a good reception amongst our audience and tailor their campaign accordingly.

Adam

"My friends this is one of those pop records that, largely due to label package tours, is going to be miss categorized and mismarketed to us."

if sites like this keep reviewing bands like this the record labels are going to keep marketing shit like this to the scene, if you ignore it it'll probably go away

"its my job to keep punk rock elite, this music aint your fucking industry"

the only people that listen to this bands are 15 year old pussies. just because its got piano doesnt make it deep or "indie." this is a band of rich fucks from orange county whos fans are rich fucks from orange county.

People don't disagree because it's not hardcore, they dislike because something corporate sucks. But back to the main issue...

seriously, someone review the macho man album. The commercial for it is fucking hilarious.

this score is for giving scores

its just that this sucks so darn bad...

Is it me or does everyone here always trash music that doesn't involve hearty guitar distortions and deep throated screaming vocals? Say what you wanna say about me because I do enjoy bands like Thursday, Thrice, From Autumn to Ashes, and yes even some old school Madball and Hatebreed, but just because someone actually has musical talent and can utilize a piano, violin, or any other classical instrument it doesn't automatically deem it as crap. I am not defending the new Soco cd, but I am defending all cds in which musicians used something other than straight up 3 chord power to ram their songs right down your throat. I could honstly care less to which type of music you do enjoy, but perhaps you can try and expand your listening ear, because it all isn't about screaming vocal and driving guitars and its not all about whiny voices and "emo" sounds..its all about the music...if you don't appreciate a certain type of music then I suggest you don't just say how shitty it is because it doesn't appeal to you...i mean crap Static Lullaby is quite possibly the worst band I have heard in a long time, and yet they are somehow big...do I complain? No. I just don't listen to their music, not because I don't enjoy the genre, but because I think they lack talent.Anywho most likely all the ignorant people will respond with comments such as "you're gay" or "fuck off emo pussy" which of course is far from the truth concerning both matters. But those comments will just in fact again prove my point that most people who comment on cds saying it sucks because its not "hardcore" are all just ignorant assholes who haven't quite matured enough to realize there is a world out there other than the one between their ears.

this score is for the new atmosphere album - seven's travels.

something corporate... what a joke.

this score is for jameson irish whiskey.

after that enlightining post, i'll put forth a comment that needs to be said. Someone really needs to review the macho man rap album.

Not only did i feel the madness but i so snapped into a slim-jim.

Ohhhhh YEAHHHHHHHH

im not a fan of soco or this cd, and i hate if u c jordan. but that doesnt mean all you dicks have to talk shit about it. get a life. my score is for the cd. i dont know everyone else is writing scores for thigns besdides the cds when i says right there 'your album score'

This CD is boring with a capital YAWN.

this band became a joke when they released "If U C Jordan" and then they had the balls to spell it like that.

I hope they all get hit by cars.

You are ALL assholes. Oh, they're not old, so let's not say anything good about them. you assholes couldn't write anything that good in your lifetime.

And this review sucked. Thanks for telling me about the album. It was a poor attempt to write like Inagreendase with the creativity, but failed horriblly. You guys suck. Go back and listen to your old records, cause nothing new is good enough for you. This score is for the cd. Good shit.

I like this album. It's a good band to fall asleep to

that's really funny

Haven't heard this yet, but I'm listening to The Red Chord now, and they slay.

this score if for the though of me having sex with hillary swank.
dude looks like a lady...

this score is for the thought of having rough sex with hillary duff.

This review makes me long for Thanksgiving in the states. I didn't realize Canada had a Thanksgiving which only solidifies my idea of moving there. Plus, I could come back to the states for round two in late November with my parents. Canada seems pretty great to me, eh?

Karl

This score is not for Something Corporate.

This score is not for Billy Joel.

No, this score is for BILLY IDOL!

I've only heard a couple of songs, it does absolutely nothing for me. My score is for Elvis Costellos new cd. Say what you will, but he's badass!!

oh god shut up about coldplay. they heard Pablo Honey and said "let's just do that record again and again."

If I want some good piano driven music to chill out or fall asleep to, I'll put on the new Coldplay. They're a good band who's good at what they do, and their label dosen't try to push them into the mall punk catagory or pay to get them on Warp's main stage because they're not young and cute. If you like that type of music, don't fuck around and get something good, instead of this preppie, Daaaaaaave Mathews shit that's for fans of Hillary Duff and Matchbox 20. Ben Folds is good. These jokers aren't.

I like this album. It's a good band to fall asleep to or listen to on long road trips

"functioning on impatience is a great album...what what"

Word...life to that. And welcome back, Insincere Dave.

This band eats Ethiopian dysentery ass.

i like this band...you should too.

"To vindicate myself, I will tell you that I am currently listening to Coalesce which makes me cool, right?"

glad to have you back on the team aubin.

Ramo
(functioning on impatience is a great album...what what)

Responses to reader comments:

1) No I'm not german.

2) I'm not saying this is exactly like Ben Folds, I'm just saying it might have some appeal to that audience

3) I know about tryptophan, I can still live the dream though

4) Insincere Dave is god.

5) "i would rather have someone who knows at least something about the band review the cd than someone who already has a negative bias towards them."

I don't "know" about lots of bands who's promos show up on my doorstep and I'm pretty sure I'm not expected too. That's why labels print one-sheets. I think the fact that I didn't know anything them pretty much negates the idea that I had any sort of serious bias against them. As of a month ago I've never heard this band before in my life. That has nothing to do with the fact that this is a weak record.

-adam

Well done to all at Geffen Records for picking up this great band!

insincere dave

adam, dont worry about the tryptophan...its all a myth. believe me..i did my research well back in 6th grade for my report on the stuff. yep. i blow.

god, that was a long time ago. anyway, hope those leftovers were tasty.

...was i supposed to comment on the cd?

Maybe it's just me but I wouldn't exactly put Ben Folds and Dave Matthews in the same category. I don't even say this in defense of one because listen to either of them, because I don't, but...eh..

if you want blowjob reviews towards drive-thru and every other pop-punk band, read tate-core's website instead.

At least there are more depth based and brached out reviews here. If you enjoy reading about stuff like yellowcard changing your life, i suggest you take your ass over there. This is not a land of make believe..

this score is for the review. i would rather have someone who knows at least something about the band review the cd than someone who already has a negative bias towards them.

score is for the review.

to the billy joel fan-not only did i have the balls to buy his essential collection but i went to see him and sir elton john with my dad that took balls and it rocked

i think these guys are alright. don't let high production values taint your image of a band. they still are above average songwriters.

granted if u c jordan is the single worst song of the last ten years.

Why yes it is. I am proof

But what if you like Something Corporate and the Buzzcocks? Is it possible?

@shindo: german???

This score is for Billy Joel. Somebody further down mentioned Billy Joel. I enjoy the bittersweet balladry of one Mr. Billy Joel. That's right, I said BILLY MUTHERFUCKIN' JOEL. Buy his greatest hits if you have the balls to do so. If not, this conversation is over.

Thanks a lot adam. I haven't missed my family's massive fucking thanksgiving meal in my life, but going Vancouver to Guelph just wasn't feasible. I'd almost forgotten about it until you mentioned that. I'll get you back for this...I'm not sure how, but be warned...

Imposs1ble is 100% right. Comparing Something Corporate to Ben Folds (Five) is like comparing Good Charlotte to Fugazi.

I heard the singer can suck a golf ball thru a piece of garden hose!

Have you seen Jordan???

best review in a considerable length of time. also, easily one of the most informative i've ever read. thanks.

cburst

You have obviously never listened to Ben Folds (Five). Not even comparable, just because two groups have piano doesn't make them comparable. Listen to the self-titled Ben Folds Five album and call me in the morning.

P.S. Don't call me if you first heard of Ben Folds through the song "Brick."

I can honestly admit that I thought Konstantine was a decent song. I haven't heard anything since then that really did much for me, but there, I admitted it.

To vindicate myself, I will tell you that I am currently listening to Coalesce which makes me cool, right?

These guys could have been Ben Folds in about 5 or 6 years, but they took the poppy 'lets sell some records' route. Their 'Ready, Break' and 'Audioboxer' are quite different, production-wise than their recent works, and when I first heard them I thought they would be a great band one day. Then Leaving Through The Window came out, in all its overproduced glory. It totally hid any talent they had and ruined their legitimacy. Instead of being a band with a lot of longevity, Something Corporate will just be forgotton in a few years, just like the rest of the Drive-Thru Crap. Although this release features better songwriting than the last, it is still barely average. These guys are the biggest waste of potential I have ever seen in music.

"This is really something that should be a hit with the Ben Folds Five / Dave Matthews crowd"

I hope not! Ben Folds and Dave Matthews are actually kind of decent. This is not.. actually.. kind of decent

Elvis Costello owns

However, this band sucks...hard, regardless if they're on drive-thru or not.

If i want a piano, i'll take ben folds or billy joel.

thriceequalsgod: Fixed. Danke.

-adam

" so I'm don't suggest you stop spinning that...."

grammar!? where!?

a respective trashing, thats what I like to see.

November 27th in the states

Editorial Note: The Canadian Thanksgiving is what I am referring to. I have no idea when the US one is, but I doubt it would make much sense in relation to the release date of this CD.

-adam