Stay Ahead of the Weather

Stay Ahead of the Weather: We Better Get Goin' If We're Gonna [7-inch]We Better Get Goin' If We're Gonna [7-inch] (2010)
No Sleep Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: jessem131jessem131
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on January 7th 2011The Chicago-based band Stay Ahead of the Weather is somewhat of a "supergroup." And no, I'm not just talking about their facial hair. The band features Evan Weiss of Into It. Over It., Nick Wakim of Castevet (or CSTVT, if you prefer), Matt Jordan and Owen Mallon (though Native's Bobby Markos recorde.

The Chicago-based band Stay Ahead of the Weather is somewhat of a "supergroup." And no, I'm not just talking about their facial hair. The band features Evan Weiss of Into It. Over It., Nick Wakim of Castevet (or CSTVT, if you prefer), Matt Jordan and Owen Mallon (though Native's Bobby Markos recorded bass on this EP). I don't know if Mallon has been in any other bands, but I feel bad not putting any qualifiers after his name. But I'm sure he's a super guy.

Anyways, the result of this collaboration isn't exactly what one might expect. We Better Get Goin' If We're Gonna is fairly straightforward pop-punk, only occasionally divulging into the noodly emo guitar licks that define Castevet's sound. Stylistically, it doesn't sound all that different from Into It. Over It.'s full-band tracks, although the production is improved. It's evident that Weiss has more talent around him here, too. When the band chooses to make things a little complex, it works extremely well. But the power in these songs lies in the hooks and the lyrics, not the technicality.

The EP runs just 12.5 minutes, but it's a great ride. Weiss has a real talent in his ability to combine a great story with enough hooks to keep things interesting. "Sorority Social Suicide" is a tale of "kitchen counter keg stands" and "mixing beer and fruit juice / for a cast of drunken dudes who tolerate you." In "Impressions & Impressing People", perhaps the defining song of the release, Weiss defiantly declares "You're not punk / and I'm telling everyone. / Save your breath / 'cause I never was one." It's a line that woke me up on my first run-through. Sometimes it's all too easy to tune out the lyrics of any song, but a little bit of extra concentration can pay off here.

If there's a downside to the EP, it's that the songs can run together somewhat. On first listen, a lot of it sounds the same. That hasn't really held up for me on subsequent plays. I listened to this a couple times when I first got it and then set it aside. But as time went on, I kept ending up with different little bits of songs stuck in my head. It was a grower for me-as much as a 12-minute 7" can be.

We Better Get Goin' If We're Gonna is a quality release and gives me plenty of hope that they will continue to put out great music in the future. Despite what most press regarding the band will tell you (including the first paragraph of this review), Stay Ahead of the Weather is not a supergroup, but rather just a great band that just happens to have some guys from other great bands in it. We Better Get Goin' If We're Gonna speaks for itself.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

icapped2pac (January 11, 2011)

I am 31 years old, and I have never ever listened to Jawbreaker. No joke. So I get a pass for not knowing.

onegirlarmy (January 9, 2011)

To be fair, Bobby did play on this, but Owen is his replacement.

frank460 (January 9, 2011)

the bass on this record sounds so good

inagreendase (January 9, 2011)

I thought it was implied the reviewer knew where the lyric came from and that's why it woke him up. It did the same for me. Or are we all just that old to figure everyone should know that line?

mattjordan (January 8, 2011)

Hey, this is Matt Jordan. I'm in this band, but this review doesn't say that. Haha.

acris (January 8, 2011)

owen indeed is a super nice guy

onegirlarmy (January 8, 2011)

just wanted to point out that the band name and album title is a line from "Groundhog Day" and that rules.

Somehow I only just noticed this last week, and Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies. Great references!

onegirlarmy (January 8, 2011)

Yeah, the "you're not punk" line is from "Boxcar" by Jawbreaker, its a borrowed/tribute lyric. As everyone else said.

Great EP, and great live. I can't wait to see what else they do!

writethatbitch (January 8, 2011)

just wanted to point out that the band name and album title is a line from "Groundhog Day" and that rules.

teaessare (January 8, 2011)

This is definitely an awesome release, but come on, dude. You HAVE to know those lyrics are from "Boxcar," and they're just paying homage to Jawbreaker.

HeresLookinAtYou (January 8, 2011)

Love this.

JVoland (January 8, 2011)

"Weiss defiantly declares “You’re not punk / and I’m telling everyone. / Save your breath / 'cause I never was one.” It’s a line that woke me up on my first run-through." - That's a fucking Jawbreaker lyrics, man. Come on!!! First line in "Boxcar"

icapped2pac (January 8, 2011)

*"you're not punk"...duh

icapped2pac (January 8, 2011)

This is growing on me with every listen as well. For whatever reason the line that stuck out to me first was the one about asking someone to take their cigarette outside. I think the "I'm not punk" one was a close second though. And yes, they did slay live on their recent tour. Evidence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpjXBG9YNrw
http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=TCntk24vJX0

literamaniac (January 8, 2011)

Also, this EP is awesome. Easily one of the best of 2010.

literamaniac (January 8, 2011)

Owen is indeed a super guy. And I believe he plays bass for Noumenon.

racecargrin (January 7, 2011)

solid album, and solid dudes

Babrook (January 7, 2011)

Great album. Really knocked me out the first time I listened to it. Broke my damn Jaw.

TrueBeliever (January 7, 2011)

This is the second review I've read for this in which the reviewer has stated how much they like the line "You're not punk and I'm telling everyone..." Amateur's, I tell you.

jessem131 (January 7, 2011)

Or no, I guess not. I'm not sure what happened. Anyways, if someone can fix the lineup in the review, that would be great.

jessem131 (January 7, 2011)

Thanks for the correction. I was just going by the lineup listed on the band's website.

bryne (January 7, 2011)

Sooooooo good.

nickdiesel (January 7, 2011)

Just a correction...Bobby Markos (of Native) recorded bass for the EP, but he has since been replaced by Owen Mallon. Matt Jordan is the fourth member of the band.

suburbanxcore (January 7, 2011)

One of the top records of last year. They were great in Philly on NYE.