23-02-2010, 00:13
released Feb 16th, 2010
![[Image: 200px-TheConstant.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0b/TheConstant.jpg/200px-TheConstant.jpg)
from the album - I'm Alive
YouTube - Story of the Year - "I'm Alive"
from all music
Story of the Year took root in the late '90s under a different name, Big Blue Monkey, in St. Louis, MO. At the time of its inception, the band's sound was much heavier (similar to the Deftones), and the lineup that would eventually become Story of the Year was not yet in place. Big Blue Monkey played frequent shows in the St. Louis area, issued several EPs, and endured the lineup fluctuations typical to any struggling combo. Creative and persistent self-promotion soon caught the ear of producer John Feldmann, who in turn brought Maverick Records into the picture. By 2002, Big Blue Monkey had become Story of the Year, signed a record contract, moved to Southern California, and toured with Feldmann and Goldfinger.
The lineup of vocalist Dan Marsala, bassist Adam Russell, drummer Joshua Willis, and guitarists Ryan Phillips and Phillip Sneed entered the studio with Feldmann, emerging in spring 2003 with the debut album Page Avenue. Story did some Warped Tour dates during the summer to advance the record, which was released the following September. By this point, the band's sound had morphed completely and comfortably into emo-inflected post-grunge, akin to groups like Thrice or the similarly Feldmann-shepherded Used. The CD/DVD set Live in the Lou/Bassassins followed in spring 2005; it was a precursor to In the Wake of Determination, which appeared in October and debuted at number 19 on the Billboard charts. Three years later, Story of the Year released their third album, The Black Swan, on Epitaph Records. The Black Swan charted even higher than its predecessor and led to another Warped Tour run, as well as additional tour dates. One year later, the band was back in the studio creating The Constant, which they released in early 2010.
album review
Their fourth studio album (and second for indie giant Epitaph), The Constant finds Story of the Year making a comfortable return to the modern post-hardcore landscape. Like their last album, The Black Swan, the band seems to have settled into their own sound, effortlessly blending in touches of metal, pop-punk, and power pop to give the listener something thatâs more eclectic and engaging than the usual collection of anthemic rock thatâs become so common within the genre. âRemember a Timeâ takes a trip back to the â90s with a high-flying chorus that feels like an homage to Blue Album-era Weezer with its sugary sweet lead guitars and vocal harmonies. On other parts of the album, the band pulls off almost the opposite effect. On âWon Threw Ateâ and âTo the Burial,â angst-filled vocals and thundering, metal-influenced riffage attempt to bowl the listener over in a d-beat driven frenzy. While Story of the Year may not be doing too much experimenting with their sound these days, theyâve more than shown their consistency as solid songwriters. With its driving guitars and massive choruses, The Constant is yet another highly catchy album from Story of the Year that will easily live up to their fans' expectations while making converts out of those unfamiliar with them.
Track Listing
1. "The Children Sing" 4:07
2. "The Ghost of You and I" 3:55
3. "I'm Alive" 4:15
4. "To the Burial" 3:48
5. "The Dream Is Over" 3:52
6. "Remember a Time" 4:05
7. "Holding on to You" 3:43
8. "Won Threw Ate" 3:44
9. "Ten Years Down" 3:53
10. "Time Goes On" 4:06
11. "Eye for an Eye"
from the album - I'm Alive
YouTube - Story of the Year - "I'm Alive"
from all music
Story of the Year took root in the late '90s under a different name, Big Blue Monkey, in St. Louis, MO. At the time of its inception, the band's sound was much heavier (similar to the Deftones), and the lineup that would eventually become Story of the Year was not yet in place. Big Blue Monkey played frequent shows in the St. Louis area, issued several EPs, and endured the lineup fluctuations typical to any struggling combo. Creative and persistent self-promotion soon caught the ear of producer John Feldmann, who in turn brought Maverick Records into the picture. By 2002, Big Blue Monkey had become Story of the Year, signed a record contract, moved to Southern California, and toured with Feldmann and Goldfinger.
The lineup of vocalist Dan Marsala, bassist Adam Russell, drummer Joshua Willis, and guitarists Ryan Phillips and Phillip Sneed entered the studio with Feldmann, emerging in spring 2003 with the debut album Page Avenue. Story did some Warped Tour dates during the summer to advance the record, which was released the following September. By this point, the band's sound had morphed completely and comfortably into emo-inflected post-grunge, akin to groups like Thrice or the similarly Feldmann-shepherded Used. The CD/DVD set Live in the Lou/Bassassins followed in spring 2005; it was a precursor to In the Wake of Determination, which appeared in October and debuted at number 19 on the Billboard charts. Three years later, Story of the Year released their third album, The Black Swan, on Epitaph Records. The Black Swan charted even higher than its predecessor and led to another Warped Tour run, as well as additional tour dates. One year later, the band was back in the studio creating The Constant, which they released in early 2010.
album review
Their fourth studio album (and second for indie giant Epitaph), The Constant finds Story of the Year making a comfortable return to the modern post-hardcore landscape. Like their last album, The Black Swan, the band seems to have settled into their own sound, effortlessly blending in touches of metal, pop-punk, and power pop to give the listener something thatâs more eclectic and engaging than the usual collection of anthemic rock thatâs become so common within the genre. âRemember a Timeâ takes a trip back to the â90s with a high-flying chorus that feels like an homage to Blue Album-era Weezer with its sugary sweet lead guitars and vocal harmonies. On other parts of the album, the band pulls off almost the opposite effect. On âWon Threw Ateâ and âTo the Burial,â angst-filled vocals and thundering, metal-influenced riffage attempt to bowl the listener over in a d-beat driven frenzy. While Story of the Year may not be doing too much experimenting with their sound these days, theyâve more than shown their consistency as solid songwriters. With its driving guitars and massive choruses, The Constant is yet another highly catchy album from Story of the Year that will easily live up to their fans' expectations while making converts out of those unfamiliar with them.
Track Listing
1. "The Children Sing" 4:07
2. "The Ghost of You and I" 3:55
3. "I'm Alive" 4:15
4. "To the Burial" 3:48
5. "The Dream Is Over" 3:52
6. "Remember a Time" 4:05
7. "Holding on to You" 3:43
8. "Won Threw Ate" 3:44
9. "Ten Years Down" 3:53
10. "Time Goes On" 4:06
11. "Eye for an Eye"