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Forever the Sickest Kids

Underdog Alma Mater (2008)
Universal Music Group

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Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 28th 2008

I can’t believe I’m about to write what I’m about to write.

Forever the Sickest Kids, perennial competitor for worst band name of the year, have released one of the most energetic and enjoyable albums of this calendar year. Don’t believe me? Understandable. But I challenge -- no, I implore you to listen to “Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)” and try to not be sucked in by the sugar-sweet harmonies.

It cannot be done.

And I’m fine with that. To go further, I’m more than fine with all of Underdog Alma Mater. What the six-piece lacks in originality, they make up for in undeniably catchy and enthusiastic songwriting. Just seconds into “Whoa Oh,” it’s evident that this bouncy rhythm is a prelude to great things to come, and when the massive chorus hits -- that assumption is realized. The anthemic “whoa-oh"s are positively infectious, and when the rhythm ramps up and the drums come to the forefront, it’s impossible to not be caught up in just how well put-together the song actually is.

“My Worst Nightmare” picks up right where “Whoa Oh” left off, with some bouncy chord progressions and layered vocals that keep the momentum throughout. Forever the Sickest Kids experiment with some vocal effects on the chorus this time around, but it plays perfectly into the electronic undercurrent that weaves in and out of the chord progressions.

Even during the slower songs, such as “Phone Call,” the band gives off such a positive energy and such a strong sense songwriting ability, that each track flows perfectly into the next.

On mid-tempo closer “Catastrophe,” the band mixes their brilliant melodies with a mature lyricism that defies the conventions established by other bands of their ilk.

It’s been three days straight, with the sheets and your pillow / The clock on the wall’s a reminder, of my father and his integrity / I know that I shouldn’t let it get to me, but it does / Who am I kidding with a dead end job and lack of a family

Pop-punk bands aren’t usually looked at to be bastions of maturity, but Forever the Sickest Kids' songwriting ability is beyond most of their genre peers, and the same can be said of some of the lyrical themes on the album. Some may write the group off as being a clone of this band or that band, but the simple fact is that Underdog Alma Mater is nothing if not a very enjoyable way to spend 40 minutes of your time.

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GodzGardener1 (March 10, 2009)

This is one of the worst bands I've ever heard.

thepinballwizard (November 19, 2008)

Words cannot fully describe how much I hate this band and record. I bought it because I heard all the hype about them and I was left extremely disappointed.

jzero666 (October 30, 2008)

This band sucks. A lot.

moneenerd (October 30, 2008)

Anchors' worst review ever. I gave it a shot thinking maybe i was wrong about them.... So fucking bad.

friokir (October 30, 2008)

ok, as I see you also like the sabres, you can ignore my last post.

friokir (October 30, 2008)

anchors, wtf, really? if you listened to all the other similar bands, you'd say they've also got catchy vocal hooks and smart song structures.

nocigar (October 30, 2008)

my gf owns this album, one day after taking a shit i realized there wasn't any tp, needless to say...thanks Forever the Sickest Kids, if it wasn't for you i would have had to use my hand.

holy_balls (October 30, 2008)

Forever the Gayest Fags. ismekerrwreck?

im_john_galt (October 30, 2008)

no way! i totally disagree, dance gavin dance is as even worse band name. oh yeah this album does suck.

mattramone (October 30, 2008)

Words cannot, etc.

Make_Way (October 30, 2008)

You know, when I first read this band name, I instantly thought of bands like The Number 12 Looks Like You and Fear Before the March of Flames (now Fear Before).....so I grouped them with that kind of sound...any other goofballs like myself making the same snap judgment?

bryne (October 29, 2008)

Motown?

almostpunkenough (October 29, 2008)

i'm a pretty big fan of radio-ready pop-punk/rock, that being said, this is ok. it definitley has it's moment, i just wish it was faster for the most part. the fast songs are where they're at their best and this dips into mid-tempo far too often.

good review, as always, Anchors.

punk_rawk_show (October 28, 2008)

Sweet album, very agree with the reviewer very very catchy. Remind me a bit of the academy is..

Fresnoska (October 28, 2008)

Came to your highschool auditorium? That's hilarious, although I would expect there to be around 500. Aren't these fuckers popular? I see little shits all around town wearing their shirts.

SlowStupidHungry (October 28, 2008)

Wow, as someone who can appreciate bad pop music, this is fucking terrible.

HeresLookinAtYou (October 28, 2008)

Talk about a curveball.. haha

Babrook (October 28, 2008)

Fuckers came to my highschool this spring to play a gig for about 70 kids in the auditorium.

God awful shit.

Rastid (October 28, 2008)

never heard of this band, but i actually like the band name haha

llmp (October 28, 2008)

I listened to that song, didn't take long to get boring.

mikexdude (October 28, 2008)

Horrible. Stupid Alternative Press bands.