What I’m Listening To: A Day To Remember – What Separates Me From You

8:36 pm in Music by Symonn

A Day To Remember seemed to come out of nowhere with their release ‘Homesick’ back in 2009, shaking the world to it’s core with their blend of pop punk and hardcore. Their follow-up LP ‘What Separates Me From You’ is a continuation of the journey that began with ‘Homesick’. The album peaked on the ARIA charts at number 24. The album received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike, all that matters is what the individual thinks, so let’s see ‘What Separates Me From You’.Rob Dobi

‘Homesick’ is one of those albums that makes a very definite mark on your life, it is no doubt a very hard task to produce a follow-up that competes and compliments. ‘What Separates Me From You’ is one of those albums that take a few listens to grow on you, unlike ‘Homesick’, which was instantly lovable. This release shows a slight progression from the previous, seemingly populating a full-length album with left over songs from previous recording sessions. They are new songs, and they are different in slight ways, but are not that easy to digest right away.

Point: After a few listens this album is very likable. You just need to get over the influence of ‘Homesick’. Appreciate the old, embrace the new.

The whole album has a full, thick texture, making use of classic layering techniques. A main slab of the mix is populated by the guitars and vocals, while the bass fills out the low end and the drums fill in the rest.

The band has continued with its trademark mixture of pop and hardcore elements, a formula that has been successful in the past and continues with this release. The most clear elements of each mixed genre are the catchy, poppy choruses, hardcore breakdowns, pop-punk drum beats, down-tuned muted guitars, pop chord progressions and throaty screamed vocals.

Read the rest of this entry →