Bayside Album: “The Walking Wounded”

This new CD from Bayside is everything I was hoping it would be. Soaring vocals and tight guitars combined to create musical bliss... Ok maybe that's a little much but this is a great album. Bayside has done it again by making an album that delivers on all levels. The most notable improvement on this CD is the guitar work. The solos are more complicated and fit perfectly into the respective song. Top tracks include The Walking Wounded, They're Not Horses They're Unicorns (which I think will be their next Devotion and Desire) and Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem. Overall it sounds like vintage Bayside, which is not a bad thing. Highly recommended album, along with their previous releases Acoustic, Bayside, and Sirens and Condolences.

'The Walking Wounded' is Bayside's latest album, the first since the death of drummer John 'Beatz' Holohan.

As some have suggested, this album is 'softer' then previous Bayside albums. However, don't be fooled by that statement. This is the second album which lead singer/guitarist Anthony Raneri primarily wrote the lyrics for. These lyrics I feel are a true reflection of his life. An example of this are songs like 'Dear Your Holiness'. In a journal that kept up with the recording process of this album, Raneri mentioned his frustration with religion and the possible existence of God. That frustration ultimately evolved into 'Dear Your Holiness'.

Another big factor is the fact that Raneri was engaged, about to be married, to his current wife. For someone in this state to have the same harsh lyrics, like the ones featured on 'Bayside', is just hard to imagine. That is not a knock on the album or Raneri as a songwriter at all. I feel these songs are great because of the deep, emotional lyrics that may have been inspired by this part of his life. This album is an example of how you have to let it all out when trying to make a great album. Listening to the album top to bottom, it appears that no emotion is left out.

Aside from the deep, meaningful lyrics on this album, the general sound is quite pleasing. The debut for Chris Guglielmo as drummer was a good one. They may not be the most unique drum beats, but they are definitely good ones. They seem to go with the general feel of the lyrics that are in the song. Another thing to note is the guitar work. Jack O'Shea remains in my mind, a very underrated guitarist. His solo on the first song, 'The Walking Wounded', was astounding. The producers simply let the man go crazy. Also to mention are how the guitars flow well with the lyrics. My personal favorite is the way they are used in the second song 'They're Not Horses, They're Unicorns'. They are heavy and rough, just as the lyrics seem to be.

Although this may not be the harshest Bayside album, even a bit soft, I still feel it is their best to date. The emotion that went into the album is second to none. Raneri has evolved as a songwriter right before listener's eyes. He has learned to let all of his emotions flow into the music, which is the reason this album is a must-hear to those who want emotional music written from the heart.

This is my first Bayside album, but it won't be my last. I originally bought the album based on seeing the video for Duality (which is still my favorite song on the album), but the entire album is solid and keeps you singing along. Its a combination of Saves the Day meets the Smoking Popes.

This is one of the latest albums to be put out by Bayside on Victory Records and it is once again a great one by the band. They have always put out great music, if you like Bayside also check out A Day To Remember also on Victory Records.

This album is just amazing.I enjoy all their 3 albums the guitar work is awsome,But no they dont sound like Panic at the disco, thats a joke to me.Bayside doesnt sound like any other bands.They always been influenced by punk but do it their own way