Bayside - Bayside [2005]

Bayside is one of my favorite bands (I have about 25 but you see what I mean) and their self-titled effort is probably my favorite album. I was originally introduced to the group through a music video podcast when they posted the vid for "Devotion and Desire" (great song). I had heard the name before so I want and checked my brother's CD case and found what I was looking for. Granted, it was Sirens and Condolences (first full-length which I'll eventually up) but it still was Bayside and I fell in love. Eventually I got the self-titled and I loved it. At it's core, this album is a pop-punk rock record, crunchy guitars and wicked half-yells, and is probably the most "generic" band I listen to (that's notreally the right word but I can't think of anything better, maybe "mainsteam"? Hell if I know). What really sets Bayside apart from the rest is the intricate lyrics. Anthony Raneri's witticisms and amazing wordplay is really a great feat, he knows how to express in one line what most can't in a whole album. Take this for instance "As for the rest of us, we'll do fine with what we have, making the best with what was left." from Half A Life, just straight up amazing. The rest of the group works perfectly with it, too, but unfortunately their drummer John "Beatz" Holohan died in a car accidents only a few weeks after the record's release (R.I.P.). But anyways, enjoy this. I know I did.

Genre: Pop-Punk
For Fans Of: Silverstein, Four Year Strong, Alkaline Trio
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Hello Shitty
2. Devotion And Desire
3. Tortures of the Damned
4. They Looked Like Strong Hands
5. Montauk
6. Blame It On Bad Luck
7. We'll Be OK
8. Existing In A Crisis (Evelyn)
9. Don't Call Me Peanut
10. Half A Life
11. Dear Tradgedy



-A