Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 8.5
Production: 9.0
Originality: 8.5
Tracklisting
2. Space
3. Down
4. Only Ashes
5. Me And The Moon
6. The Runaway
7. Ruthless
8. She Paints Me Blue
9. Break Myself
10. I Won't Make You
11. 21 And Invincible
12. Miss America
To be honest, I wasn't thoroughly impressed with Something Corporate's previous effort. Completely turned off by songs like "If You C Jordan" and "Punk Rock Princess," I found myself enjoying the more serious songs a lot more ("I Woke Up In A Car," "I Want To Save You," etc). I initially was disappointed to see SoCo supporting the songs I didn't like, because I somewhat feared they'd be heading that direction with their new record. All worries aside, "North" is a charming, beautiful record, and there's simply no getting around that. Instead of taking the "boy band" route and singing cheesy, shallow pop songs that got a few trendy fans who enjoyed them until it got old, "North" showcases a matured, deep, thinking band, who sing with their hearts now, and use the piano wisely.
From the second the disc starts, hell, from the second I heard the two new promo songs ("Down" and "Space,"), I knew the band was on the right track. Beautifully mature and dedicated rock songs are what this band does now, and not a single on the song is worth skipping, whereas on the last disc, there were few NOT worth skipping. The band's major label debut also has brilliant production, and the bonus videos are excellent. They still know how to use their guitars and are definitely clinging to their pop punk roots, as can be noticed particularly in "Only Ashes," the New-Found-Glory esque pumping rock song, but most of the songs are ambient, poppy, and with wonderuflly woven guitars, and even the softer songs on "Leaving Through The Window" can't match the band's developed, new sound. The lyrics of SoCo have always been something I have despised, but even in the new songs Andrew seems to have improved his writing, and the songs seem to have a less direct meaning; but they are still lyrics youth can relate to, which is fitting.
If you haven't heard Something Corporate, perhaps now is the right time to pick up their latest CD, "North." Beautiful, piano-driven, and matured, the band has finally discovered what they want to sound like, and though it took 2 records at least it happened. I was wonderfully impressed with their new release.