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It's easy for me to imagine the guys in Boys Night Out all sitting around, discussing which direction to go after the great concept album that was Trainwreck and just saying, "Fuck it, let's have fun." And that's exactly what this record is: fun. The band's sound continues to evolve into a poppier rock sound than previous records with this self-titled effort. And I gotta say, I don't hate it.

The album starts off with "Get Your Head Straight," a pop-rock tune with crunchy, technical guitars and Connor Lovat-Fraser's always great vocals. The band's guitar work (at least since Trainwreck) has made this band stick out for me in the pop-punk/pop-rock genre, and sometimes reminds me a bit of bands like Gatsbys American Dream, with their technical guitar fills (listen to a song like "Swift and Unforgiving").

While some may not like the poppier direction of the new music, I think the band pulls it off perfectly. The record is filled with big hooks and the choruses for songs like "Up with Me" and "Let Me Be Your Swear Word" (which seems to be a song about getting wasted and makin' sweet, sweet love) will stay stuck in your head for days.

Sometimes the production can be a bit much; at a couple points it kind of sounds like the singer is singing through one of those jungle gym tubes I used to crawl through when I was little. But with songs like "Fall for the Drinker" with its HUGE chorus, I can't say it makes much of a difference for me.

The album does have a few low points for me, though -- mostly when the band decides to pull out some old tricks with the screaming. I don't mind a little screaming in my music when it sounds natural. But on this album it sounds like they're kinda forcing it to make the old fans happy.

The album ends with "It Won't Be Long," which is one of my favorite BNO songs, ever. The slow build to the giant chorus, and the lyrics about a killer who hangs himself in front of a large crowd, gives me goosebumps every time.

If you like Trainwreck, buy this record. Just don't take it too seriously.



People who liked this also liked:
Thoughts of Ionesco - The Scar Is Our Watermark [CD/DVD]Gojira - From Mars to SiriusVarious - Hair: Chicago Punk CutsThe Offspring - Ixnay on the HombreThe Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in AmericaThe Weakerthans - Left and LeavingThe Hold Steady - Separation SundayWeatherbox - The ClearingArmalite - ArmaliteAlkaline Trio - I Lied My Face Off



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    Posted by damnitsderek on 2009-06-03 04:26:38

    Surprised this wasn't reviewed yet. Not bad, but it's real tough to follow-up Trainwreck .

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2009-06-02 22:43:07

    Yet again...where is the blasted Narrows review????

    Posted by NewKid on 2009-06-02 16:41:12
    My Score:

    I really enjoyed this cd. I hated the production on it. I think the drums sound super muted and the guitars don't have the punch they could have had. I bumped this for a while last year, however. Songs are great live.

    Eric

    Posted by scorpiondeathlock on 2009-06-02 12:02:52

    i admittedly enjoyed their first album alot back in the day.

    Posted by Sally_Field on 2009-06-02 09:10:51

    Yeah, I had no idea this record hadn't been reviewed yet.

    Definitely very catchy, and, to be honest, I like the self-titled better than Trainwreck.

    Posted by robalobadob on 2009-06-02 05:41:52

    I found this album boring. I only moderately enjoyed Trainwreck though.

    The chorus for Get Your Head Straight sounds almost identical to Where's Your Head At? by Basement Jaxx.

    Posted by tonyhoag on 2009-06-02 02:23:22

    also notable, it's the lyrical follow up to Trainwreck.

    Posted by HeresLookinAtYou on 2009-06-02 01:55:31

    Up With Me is so catchy.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-06-02 00:14:38

    Incredibly awesome guitar, lame vocals.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2009-06-02 00:11:55
    My Score:

    I'm surprised it took this long for someone to submit a decently well-written review of this. I would've but I'd already done this: http://www.altpress.com/reviews/868.htm

    Definitely not quite the level of Make Yourself Sick or Trainwreck, but better than what the disjointed Million People EP promised. If this does end up being their last album, not a bad one to go out on.

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