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Transit

Stay Home
2009
Run for Cover

Transit - Stay Home (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Run for Cover Records (link)

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Published on April 14th 2009

Transit has been getting better and better ever since the release of their first EP, 2007's Let It Out. But no one could ever predict that their development would reach such a devastating pinnacle on Stay Home.

The band's newest release, a six-song collection again recorded with New England hardcore super producer Jay Maas (Verse, Shipwreck), Stay Home is made up an absolutely mind-blowing first half and a second half that, while not quite as good, is still wholehearted, well-rounded and stupidly solid itself.

The opening title track kicks things off with a double-time beat and noodly lead riff deceivingly presented in lo-fi format before punching through the speakers with Joe Boynton shouting "So many days and nights--!" From there, it propels forward into the band's signature style, that being mildly poppy and sincerely emotional melodic hardcore, clearly inspired by the likes of Crime in Stereo and Lifetime, but with something truly special of their own. You can hear it when the bridge of "Stay Home" crawls in and Boynton's voice dips into hushed, softly muttered territory, while layered, gravelly group shouts of "Keep running, keep shining on!" urge him forward, creating a contrast so cathartic it's numbing.

A similar procedure is wielded in the next masterpiece, "Nameless (Songs to Static)," which packs as many pounding dynamics and triple vocal attacks as a band can do in two minutes. Then comes "Stays the Same," a song that practically seems crafted with the intention of systematically tugging at heartstrings from start to finish. It's also further proof that every singer has gotten better -- Boynton is less nasally, Joe Lacy (guitar) is entirely less cutesy and way more gritty while Tim Landers (guitar) is even more gruff, which is exactly the improvements you want to hear in a style like this. Their vocal interplay is just fantastic, with the song eventually evolving into an overwhelming set of declarations: Landers and Lacy growling "You're an anchor / and a mistake," and Boynton resigning, "I just can't hold my breath anymore / We're only going down with it." Polar Bear Club fans should be flocking to this shit.

"Atlas" kicks off the proverbial side two with more upbeat energy and more creative, intricate guitar work, "return this desert to a sea" making for a super strong hook. "Riverside" is another impressively structured number, challenging the listener with a ton of changes and a definite similarity to Taking Back Sunday that comes in at about 1:50 and peaks with Boynton and Lacy getting all Lazarra and Nolan-esque (respectively) on us at the end ("Just keep your eyes on the door. / I'll have an ear to the ground / and we'll be gone before the dust can settle."). Stay Home calls it a day with the mostly wispy and acoustic but eventually full-band sing-along "Outbound," somewhat bringing to mind some of the more depressing moments -- lyrically and musically -- on Saves the Day's I'm Sorry I'm Leaving.

As uneven as Stay Home might be, it's scary to think how young and already accomplished Transit is and where they could possibly go from here. Everyone but this band should be the ones keeping their ears to whatever ground Transit is treading.

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Stay Home
Stays the Same

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Posted by thatsyouth on 2009-07-24 14:11:57
My Score:

Like you said, first half is great. Second half? Not AS great but still enjoyable.

Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-04-16 17:30:42

Well put, Blackjaw. Glad you like them. I had you specifically in mind when I posted that.

Posted by xote on 2009-04-16 02:48:00

I rather listen to American Nightmare. Thats right I said it.

Posted by xshoutoutx on 2009-04-15 20:58:56
My Score:

shmeh... sounds alright. My only complaint is at times they sound like new Crime in Stereo (not necessarily a good thing) and also sometimes sound like senses fail at times (definitely not a good thing)!

Posted by realtalkholmes on 2009-04-15 18:03:27

This dude really likes Transit.

Transit really likes Brand New.

I really dislike Tim Flanders.

Posted by Blackjaw_x on 2009-04-15 17:29:13

icapped2pac:
They should change their name to "I Am The Shit", because this EP is really impressive. Sounds like they know what they're doing better than many bands of this style that have been around for much longer.

Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-04-15 15:45:41

Forgive the slight spammage, but I really think most people who dig these guys and PBC could get into another favorite band of the moment of mine. You can download their EP for free, too.

http://www.myspace.com/iamthethief

Posted by llmp on 2009-04-14 23:46:41

I enjoyed their last album, but never saw it as anything special and it got old pretty quick (the nasally vocals started to get on my nerves after a while). However, this EP is fantastic.

Posted by lessthangene on 2009-04-14 15:49:37
My Score:

solid dudes, solid album. this is a great EP all around, and their live show is just as intense. can't wait to see these guys again.

Posted by mikexdude on 2009-04-14 14:46:13

anywhere near*

Posted by mikexdude on 2009-04-14 14:13:29

I don't think this is nowhere near as perfect as The Redder the Better, where each song had its own identity while remaining undeniably "their sound." For what this band is going for, I really can't think of anything they need to do better.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-04-14 13:39:22
My Score:

What Get Up Kids cover did they do?

I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel

This is a great little EP, a fantastic step up from This Will Not Define Us.

Posted by mikexdude on 2009-04-14 13:29:03

What Get Up Kids cover did they do?

Posted by TylerGHD on 2009-04-14 12:59:55

I still think I like "This Will Not Define Us" more than "Stay Home," but that's probably because the full length has been growing on me for months and months and I've only had this since January. Both are incredible, I can't even explain how good this band is. TGUK cover is on the release show edition of this CD.

Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-04-14 12:43:08
My Score:

I'm agreeing with Mike a lot lately. I find this to be perfect. I used to get bored to tears with songs with extended acoustic intros, but still PBC's "Convinced I'm Wrong" and "Outbound" off this EP are 2 of my favorite songs to come out in the last year or so. I think that and the first 3 tracks are all 5-star songs, with Riverside being great and Atlas being good. I dare say (at least in my book) this thing is as thoroughly awesome as "The Redder The Better". It always leaves me wanting more. And it's a shame they couldn't stick the Get Up Kids cover on this. They did a bang-up job of that, too.

Posted by nocigar on 2009-04-14 12:35:49
My Score:

this band continues to impress me. awesome release.

Posted by mikexdude on 2009-04-14 11:12:33
My Score:

Yes, I think it deserves that many stars.

Posted by Blackjaw_x on 2009-04-14 10:07:47
My Score:

Their best release thus far. Insanely catchy.

Posted by Bryne on 2009-04-14 08:43:05
My Score:

This review pretty much nails it. Great record.

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