BAYSIDE - "Mary" (from Vacancy)

I've listened to Bayside on occasion but have never become very invested in them. But this song, "Mary", off of their new album Vacancy, which just came out on August 19, is absolutely incredible. I love the lyrics, the vocals, the music, everything. It reminds me of a sunny Gaslight Anthem song. Plus Mary is an important character in the Bruce Springsteen canon and while I'm not sure if Bayside used the name for this reason, it makes me happy nonetheless.

"So go on work all your angles out, get a plan together, get your demons out...'Cause Mary the world wants to bring you down, but don’t you let ‘em."

THE GET UP KIDS - Simple Science EP

The Get Up Kids were formed in Kansas City, Missouri, in the mid-1990s and released their debut album, Four Minute Mile, in 1997. They went on to become one of the torchbearers of the late '90s "emo" movement. But unlike Jimmy Eat World, who broke out in a big way in 2002, GUK never really achieved what I would consider mainstream success outside of the emo realm. The band broke up in 2005 with the members going on to pursue other projects (The New Amsterdams, Koufax, Blackpool Lights, Reggie and the Full Effect) but they got back together in 2009. Simple Science is their first new studio recording in six years (the last being 2005's The Guilt Show). With four songs clocking in at just over 16 minutes, it almost feels like they are testing the waters first before jumping in and releasing a new album. The music also feels like it's testing the waters. Not enough energy to really get into and not enough emotion to actually sit back and listen. Sounds very middle-of-the-road to me.

www.myspace.com/thegetupkids
www.thegetupkids.com

NEW FOUND GLORY - Not Without A Fight

They're from Florida, and have been around since the end of the 90's. Not Without A Fight is their sixth proper studio album, following the release of Tip of the Iceberg/Takin' It Ova!, which featured an EP billed to NFG and a full-length by NFG masquerading as the International Superheroes of Hardcore. Not Without A Fight returns to the emo/pop-punk sound that New Found Glory is best known for, with most of the lyrics focusing on relationships. Singer Jordan Pundik sounds a bit less whiny on this album than he has in the past, though he still is recognizable (for better or for worse, depending on your feeling about his vocals). This is their first album on the Epitaph label and should please their long-time fans.

www.myspace.com/newfoundglory
www.newfoundglory.com (Currently redirects to their myspace site)

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

The main man behind this band is Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon. According to a friend who saw him play with Something Corporate about five years ago, he is amazing live; he treats his piano in much the same way Ben Folds does - believing that the keys aren't the only part of the instrument that should be played. McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago, but has undergone treatment and is now in recovery. This is the second album for Jack's Mannequin. It is very polished piano-pop with 'emo' leanings. I really enjoyed the song "Caves," which tops the seven-minute mark. Recommended if you like Jimmy Eat World's newer stuff, Dashboard Confessional, The Fray, and bands of a similar nature.


www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin
www.jacksmannequin.com

The Alphabetical Order - I Am Magically Happening!

These guys (and girl) are definitely influenced by 90's D.C. emo/hardcore, with extra bits of rock and punk influences as well. Songs tend to vary in style from one another but maintain their hardcore energy throughout. The second half of this album is remarkably boring. They're okay, but certainly not great. "Submarines" was my favorite track.


www.myspace.com/thealphabeticalorder
www.thealphabeticalorder.org