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Bayside

The Walking Wounded
2007
Victory

Bayside - The Walking Wounded (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Published on February 13th 2007

Honestly, little has changed of Bayside's stylistic tendencies since their debut on Victory with 2004's Sirens and Condolences. Granted, comparisons to the Smoking Popes and Alkaline Trio are a little more conspicuous now than they were at that time, and sure, the band's self-titled followup traded in J. Robbins' rough edges for the pop sheen from the team of Shep Goodman and Kenny Gioia. Still, at the band's core all along have been solid, mildly punk-influenced emotional rock songs fronted by Anthony Raneri's uniquely lazy affectation.

However, one couldn't help but feel that unlike its predecessor, 2005's Bayside suffered from bouts of inconsistency. It seemed the band would load one song up with hooks and consequently find their tacklebox rather barren for the next. Aside from very sporadic moments, The Walking Wounded cures that with a good majority of its tracks landing in fair territory, if not beyond the right-field wall.

A title track that starts the album features an incredibly momentary waltz that sounds like Gatsbys American Dream gone Klezmer and a splendid cameo from Vinny Caruana (currently of I Am the Avalanche). Even as brief as that waltz is, that spot of ambition rarely appears again throughout Wounded's duration. Fortunately, Bayside is capable enough in their own skin that the progression resulting merely in better songs and not necessarily more ambitious songs is acceptable.

"Duality" is the album's first single, and it wouldn't make sense to designate any other song here as such, as none have such a compelling, bright and bubbly chorus. It's certainly radio-friendly but somehow avoids seeming contrived.

Other standouts abound, though. "I and I" works well even with a detuned guitar chorus. The album's longest track, "Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem" might also be its best; harkening back to the band's lyrical Trio influence, it's a little schizophrenic, just a bit self-loathing and held down with a strong chorus comparing "the healing power of alcohol" to its effect on "girls in seedy bars who drown themselves in it." Excellent, lightly chugged riffs make up for an awful (but again, abrupt) Panic! at the Disco-esque instrumentally programmed moment on “Dear Your Holiness.” "(POP)ular Science" makes not-so-subtle references to the music industry and watering down of the arts, Raneri loudly and repeatedly proclaiming the fragment "they don’t care about” (what I would assume is implying “music”).

Drummer John “Beatz” Holihan died in a tragic crash in 2005 and many were likely to believe Bayside would depressingly dwell on that with this album. It seems like they got it all out of their system with 2006’s Acoustic EP/DVD though, since nothing on here makes obvious reference to the crash aside from the album’s title.

Some of Bayside's strongest compositions might be found on other albums, but they have most definitely recaptured the ability of putting together a number of solid, well-written songs, showing the preceding full-length was a mere misstep and not neccessarily the beginning of a staircase-long stumble.

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The Walking Wounded
Duality

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Duality

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Posted by sammsound on 2007-08-05 22:10:26

bayside>any other band.

Posted by Ikaris on 2007-03-07 00:45:05

I AM > You

First of all, let's go ahead and compare two different bands in basically different genres. So then The Aggrolites>Halifax. Don't compare screamo with punk and hardcore with ska. You guys are getting a chuckle out of anyone intelligent. But that's not me...I'm just a moron.

Bayside's MUSIC is very good. It's creative, original, and intelligent (and no, those are not all the same). Just because they don't have to scream to get their point across doesn't make them "weak" or "gay", In fact, the vocals are performed with much more power and talent (the ability to hit real notes and achieve proper pitch in tune with the chords played) than many of the bands out there.

Posted by breath_takerr on 2007-03-06 22:44:31

this cd is amazing. bayside continues to produce heartfelt and worthwhile material. not just recycled crap. and they always seem to get better with every cd. unlike some bands who just get worse as they progress in their careers.
this cd was everything that i expected from them, especially with losing a member. anthony's voice is unlike any of the mainstream pop-punk whiny stuff that most people seem to enjoy. he has substance. i do agree that sirens and condelences is by far their best cd and if they were on a different record label they could go much further.

and honeslty, it really doesn't make much sense to me why people would comment on a cd they haven't even listened to. you're just making yourself look incredibly stupid. why don't you listen to it then tell us your critcism.

Posted by crazytoledo on 2007-02-16 10:45:52

Comeback Kid > Bayside

Seconded.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 16, 2007 at 7:23 AM (EST)

duality sounds like a b-side from crimson covered by P!ATD on decaydance. fact.

Posted by weezley on 2007-02-15 13:27:59

To the dumbass below me

Comeback Kid > Bayside

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 11:11 AM (EST)
My Score:

excellent record...the only worthwhile band to listen to on victory records! makes me think sometimes that this band could do so much better on a diff label!

Posted by LMChc on 2007-02-14 16:04:11

never listened to the band and never cared to

the klezmer description on the title track made me interested enough to listen

frankly, the song would have been better with more accordion

Posted by lender on 2007-02-14 15:40:12

great cd,first time I listened to it I wasnt amazed
after the second listen I was sold.
Still loving bayside

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 2:21 PM (EST)
My Score:

amazing cd

Posted by tenwestchaser on 2007-02-14 14:07:03

What the hell? From what I remember listening to awhile back, Silverstein is generic and shitty. Thursday sucks? Um, no. As far as Bayside is concerned, I never really got into them. What I heard from their acoustic cd, though, sounds better than anything else I've heard from them.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 12:57 PM (EST)
My Score:

Fantastic Review, Fantastic Album! I have been a Bayside (obsessed) fan since I heard a demo from a band my told me I would like bc they reminded him of the Smoking Popes....Ever since then Bayside has climbed my favorite bands list. This album is a great achievement for them, and a great gift to their fans!

BAYSIDE IS A CULT

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 12:56 PM (EST)
My Score:

Posted by newfoundmichael on 2007-02-14 11:37:05
My Score:

I really liked this album. It wasn't as good as their self-titled album a couple years ago, but it really isn't a step down either. Good review too.

Posted by LeightonESmith on 2007-02-14 01:55:25
My Score:

I've been listening to Bayside for about 4 years and one thing I've noticed is their songs all sort of blend together for me. This disc reminds me of their first one. I like it. Catchy and nice for something to listen to thats a bit more laid back melodic poppy punk

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 12:12 AM (EST)
My Score:

LOL at who ever says Silverstein or Thursday is better than Bayside. I won't even talk to anyone who listens to either of those bands. I will score this album bout a 7 outta 10 because Bayside doesn't suck complete ass.

Posted by crazytoledo on 2007-02-13 21:00:30
My Score:

The first half of this album is the best Bayside to date and really, really good. The second half is really boring. Hopefully the second half will grow on me, but this is still running neck and neck with "SIrens" for the best album by Bayside.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 4:46 PM (EST)

Victory Records

Destroying Corporate Rock

Totally.

Posted by katys_a_poser on 2007-02-13 14:17:01

I am a huge fan of bayside and at first I was disapointed with this album because of the fact that it is way to overproduced. But with a few more listens, I like it more and more.

the self titled is defiantly the better album though.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 1:05 PM (EST)

those aren't horses, they're unicorns kills. i've listened to that song about 20 times already. i guess i'm a fanboy.
-TOBB

Posted by m-oo on 2007-02-13 11:55:59
My Score:

So refreshing to see a good review for a great band. Was expecting the automatic 0.5-1.5 victory score when I saw the review up.

"Carry on" is a personal favourite.

Their most cohesive album yet I think.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 10:05 AM (EST)

the whole "im sad and dark"...now im "happy and positive" shit the singer took makes me vomit. FAKE.

Posted by coltonlloyd on 2007-02-13 09:53:22

Mikestupid that is probably because jawbreaker is fucking horrible and nothing they've done could ever sound good

Posted by D00M3D on 2007-02-13 09:06:49

very good album.
if you haven't bought it yet, you deffinately should.

this album had alot of high expectations and i think, they beat the expectations and amazed the recovery of Bayside through this cd. good job

Posted by CapnHawk on 2007-02-13 05:47:58

It's a pretty decent album, Head on a Plate is my fave song.

Posted by punk_rawk_show on 2007-02-13 04:41:04

i got this cd today, havnt listened yet but i cant wait to, hope its good

Posted by MikeStupid on 2007-02-13 04:08:08
My Score:

The only thing I've heard from this band was their Jawbreaker cover, which was enough to make me never want to hear them again.

Posted by punkinohio on 2007-02-13 00:26:59

Excellent CD, took a few spins but I think this could be their best.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 12:22 AM (EST)

"Silverstein > Bayside"

the fact that you proclaim silverstein could be better then anything is absurd in itself.

BUT if we're going to play that game:

Thursday > Silverstein/Bayside

Posted by mattp330 on 2007-02-13 00:22:23
My Score:

i was amazed with how much i liked this album, the songwriting has improved dramatically

Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2007-02-13 00:07:36
My Score:

This is by far Bayside's strongest album.

I enjoyed Sirens, but was never a huge fan, not to mention their last album left a bad taste in my mouth.

I got this on a whim, figuring I'd give it a few spins and had no idea just how much it'd grab me.

Great stuff.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 12:06 AM (EST)

Silverstein > Bayside