Disco de Bayside: “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.

A friend lent me this CD a while back and I liked it so much I went ahead and bought the album. Bayside is now one of my favorite bands and after hearing the Walking Wounded I went back and bought all the rest of their albums.

Everything good's been said already. This album is pretty much perfect. The band really excels through the swooping, melodic group choruses on "I and I" and "Popular Science." The only song I didn't like at first was "Choice Hops" until I paid attention to the guitar solo, and man, it's a game-changer, now I like it a lot. The drums are solid, the guitars are even better, and I couldn't be happier with this album. Turn it up.

I am not trying to start a fight or anything but I noticed one reviewer had compared Bayside to My Chemical Romance meets Panic at the Disco... That couldn't be further from the truth! Not that I am slamming on those two bands (Who I happen to like in their own way.) but Bayside has a sound that is unlike the majority of groups out right now. That's precisely the reason why they are great, they are a fresh sound in a market that is over inflated with bands exactly like My Chemical Romance and Panic at the Disco. If you are looking for something fresh and amazing pick up this album. If you are a new Bayside fan check out Sirens and Condolences, all Bayside is good that just happens to be my personal favorite.