Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 6.5
Production: 5.5
Originality: 7.5
Tracklisting
2. Blame It On Bad Luck
3. They Looked Like Strong Hands
4. Masterpiece
5. Megan (Feat. Josh Caterer)
6. Montauk
7. Devotion And Desire
8. Baby Britain
9. Paternal Reversal
10. Don't Call Me Peanut
Bayside’s self-titled disc seemed implausible. After a heavily divided break-up between guitarist Jack O’Shea and vocalist/guitarist Anthony Raneri, the guys found two great additions to round out their rhythm section, and started writing songs. Though Raneri was new to writing lyrics (Andrew, their former bassist, had written the lyrics in the past), he took it in stride and put out one of the moodiest and well rounded albums of 2005. However, last Halloween, due a van crash, their drummer, Jon “Beatz” Holohan was killed and bassist Nick Ghanbarian was badly injured. But two weeks after the accident, Anthony and Jack returned to the stage, sporting their acoustic guitars and proceeded to finish the tour they had started. This was recorded on their Chicago date.
On the whole this is a solid disc. The song selection, though it contained more new songs, is pretty good. Most of the disc, including the skin and bones track “Don’t Call Me Peanut,” Raneri’s voice comes across beautifully. Much more beautifully than I thought it would be in such an intimate set. But the track that comes across the best is the gem, “Blame it on Bad Luck.” A song that is already pretty eerie and almost scary in the first place is shown in a new and frankly, better light. You can really hear the guitar parts extremely clearly. Even “Megan,” a Smoking Popes track that I am not totally familiar with came off extremely impressively. In addition, the track “Winter” shows that even when something this horrible happens, perhaps some beauty might be found.
Not to take away from the whole scene of “rock band suffers hardship and overcomes the odds to come back and play for fans” theme here, but to be honest, I was a little let down by the CD. As a fan of the band, I would have loved to hear an acoustic CD (or EP), but the fact that it is live, kind of takes away from the whole feel. Just when you get into it, you hear some girl yell out, “I love you Anthony!!!!” and it kind of ruins it. If you are going to do a live disc, don’t make it a live acoustic disc. Not many bands have done this and pulled it off. Dashboard Confessional is one, but that wasn’t much of a stretch for them. Plus, some production might have been helpful to smooth out the rough edges. The beginning of “Masterpiece” sounds like the guys are playing their guitars with forks.
If you are a fan, you need this CD. Flat out. But if you are just a casual observer, pass on this and check out the self titled disk. Or, even better go catch their show when they come to your town. I promise it will be worth it.