Motion City Soundtrack Album: “Commit This to Memory”

It was with a heavy heart that i finally came to accept that the days of the brilliant punk albums that came out of Epitaph from the mid '90's to early 2000's were over, and it was no use hoping for gems such as Rancid's Life Won't Wait; Pulley's @#!*; The Bouncing Souls' Hopeless Romantic; Osker's Idle Will Kill and the various NOFX albums of the time to reappear. i'm not sure what happened, but with the exception of punk veterans and all-round super-geniuses, Bad Religion - who continually produce brilliant punk albums (so long as Brett is a member) whilst retaining some street cred as well as staying true to their roots - for some reason the darlings of the Golden Years of Epitaph are now either releasing undeniably inferior works, or else falling off the map entirely. i personally blame it on the popularisation of punk by the likes of Simple Plan, Sum 41, Good Charlotte etc, who pretty much have seen to the dumbing down of the genre into teenage-angst set to music, as well as the complete abliteration of any underground credibility it once had. Maybe because of the young age of the members of these bands the relatively older punks in Rancid, NOFX, Pulley etc are starting to feel irrelevent and have regrettably changed their styles, but to terrible effect. so when i couldn't turn to my old favourites to consistently provide me with new songs that i could fall in love with, i had to bite the bullet and discover the new breed of "punks," which include Motion City Soundtrack. And what a godsend these guys are. lyrically they're intelligent and sincere, while musically they are slick and incredibly catchy - which are for me the ingredients for great music, whatever the genre. the days of punk music which is raw yet melodic, laced with biting intelligence and humour have all but gone, but if all new punk bands were like MCS, I wouldn't miss the 'good old days' of punk quite so much.

Man i hear a LOT of music out there and i love a LOT of music out there. I like a lot of hardcore and screamo and i also like some top 40 music such as Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance...i even have the Avril Lavigne cd but this cd is unlike any record out there right now...this in my opinion is the new 'clarity'. THat doesnt mean that MCS sounds anything like Jimmy Eat World but this cd is chock full of amazing guitar and vocals unlike any music i have ever heard. The cd is in my best description 'beautiful'. I bought it the day it came out and have probably bought 50-60 records since then new and used but none of them have ben played as close to as mch as this one. They are unique which basically means that if you like music you will like MCS. 'Together We'll Ring in the New Year' and 'Hold me own' catch MCS at the essence of what its like to be alive. These two songs along with EVERY SINGLE SONG song on the record are freaking amazing. All i can say is go buy this cd and i dont care if you havent ever heard of motion city soundtrack, america, or doughnuts. go sell all your stuff and buy this and i am the movie...both of these are unique and amazing...i don't have a favorite between the two. Anyway, go buy them!!

Well, I was going to put in my big long review, but there is enough of those already here that I feel I can sum up my opinions in a couple of paragrahs.

First off you might see the word emo float around out there. I guarantee you if this album was that emo I'd be giving this CD 1 star. I am not emo, I am not into emo, emo stings my ears. Now, I will admit there is emo tendancies. L.G. FUAD is one of those, and probably a song that should have been left off of the CD.

Now that we are past the whole "emo" thing I can move on. You might see Mark Hoppus's name on the CD. Do not be alarmed. This DOES NOT sound like blink-182. THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE BLINK-182. I can't stress that enough.

So lets recap:

1. Not emo.

2. Doesn't sound like blink-182.

3. If you are hesitant to buy the CD there are free downloads out there, check them out first.

I was hoping in the wake of a great debut, "I am the Movie" that MCS would improve on it and become a more solid indie band. Instead they chose to go the emo/pop/punk road but I cant say I can complain too much. Theres really nothing at all innovative like the first album. The lyrics are very similar and the music is still decent but catchy.

Attractive Today - Great opener - wish it was longer 8/10

Everything Is Alright - got them on MTV 7/10

When "You're" Around - love the lyrics, good song 9/10

Resolution - i like the vocal melody, good song 8/10

Feel Like Rain - Maybe my fav song 9/10

Make Out Kids - good song 8/10

Time Turned Fragile - doesnt do anything for me 6/10

L.G. FUAD - prolly my fav 9.5/10

Better Open the Door - another one of my favs 9/10

Together We'll Ring In the New Year - didnt see it coming 7/10

Hangman - it didnt move me 6/10

Hold Me Down - decent closer 7/10

I am assuming(hoping) they'll throw a curveball and change a lot between now and the next album. After all how many songs can you write about having no future, being in therapy, and taking pills?

This is one of my all time top 10 cds, along with 'I am the Movie'. Motion City Soundtrack is one of the best bands out there, and i think everyone should at least give them a fair chance.

"Attractive Today"- 8/10- Great first song; fast, catchy, and quick. It is short and sweet, giving th listener a taste of MCS, but leaving them wanting more.

"Everything Is Alright"- 7/10- One of the hit singles. Very catchy, cool lyrics, good music. This isnt my favorite on the cd, but it is still very good.

"When You're Around"- 10/10- Still possibly my favorite, this song holds a special place in my heart, seeing as it was the first song by MCS i heard. Without this song, I might not have ever heard anymore MCS. This song is catchy and melodic, yet it still retains it's edge.

"Resolution"- 9/10- This song is a little bit slower, and sets a slightly tone than many MCS songs, but noetheless still great. Somewhat Death Cab For Cutie-esque.

"Feel Like Rain"- 8/10- This song is another good one. A semi-downer sound is still present, but it remains fun and catchy still.

"Make Out Kids"- 10/10- Fast, Catchy, and Fun, this song gets into your head and doesnt leave. The lyrics, like most MCS, arent that deep, but still sound amazing in the song. I saw this live, and have gained a whole new respect for it. One of my favs on the cd.

"Time Turned Fragile"- 9/10- For some reason, this song just reminds me of going through the halls in between class. And not in a bad way. I dont know why but this song makes me feel better about the repetitious daily cycle.

"L.G. Fuad"- 9/10- This song is great, it is slow and steady, with good lyrics, a nice changeup for the cd.

"Better Open the Door"- 10/10- Catchy, great chorus, equally good verse, overall just a great song.

"Together We'll Ring in the New Year"- 9/10- Great. Softest, slowest song on the cd, but still one of my favs. This is such a good song, and Justin's vocals are the real treasure in this song. Great acoustic song.

"Hangman"- 9/10- This song picks up the pace a little bit after the former track. Catchy and well executed, this fits perfectly towards the end of the album. Despite one minor out of place spot, Justin's vocals are well done on this song.

"Hold Me Down"- 8/10- A well done closer, this song seems to totally encompass the style of this album as a whole. In my oppinion, this is a good choice for a closer; not the best song on the cd, and not the catchiest, but the one that seems to tie the record together, leaving listeners with the satisfied feeling that only a good record can leave.

And as a side note, MCS is the best live band I have ever seen in terms of performance. The singer actually sounds even better live, adding in more personal style and flare, and nothing is lost in the music. Plus, their energy level is incredibly high, without losing any of their talent in favor of showmanship, unlike so many other bands out their.

-peace