Sometimes I think reviewing music is like dating. This is because my only dating knowledge comes from reruns of Boy Meets World. See, that initial listen is like meeting someone new for the first time. You’re getting in their mind, feeling them out and mentally deciding whether or not you’ll ever see them again. Sitting down to a musical lunch with Late In The Playoffs Alive And On Your Own ended more on a friendship, well acquaintance level. Will we be friends on Facebook? Yeah, probably, but it’s likely we’ll only give one another an occasional “like” because there was just nothing that overwhelmed me. There was no intimate connection, just a couple better than okay moments on this record bred from the influences of early pop punk sounds of oughts.
Those with a James Dewees perspective would like what you hear on Alive And On Our Own, but for me it was missing the breakout moments. The parts where I’d write home to mom about later. The slower songs like “Hope” and “My Sober Self” failed to move me. The only parts of my “date” with this record that got me to look up from my plate were the ones that reminded me a pinch of Motion City Soundtrack; “You Won’t” and “Force of Nature.” With those songs the vocals showcased a unique spark, while things took an Early November turn with “The Wayside.” All in all it was “Never Wrong” that seemed like the North Star. Everything was on point and if the whole record had been like that with some of the MCS influence tossed in, I might’ve said yes to a second date.
Have I accepted Late In The Playoffs friend request, yes. The record was well put together, like a well-mannered gentleman, but it just wasn’t my type. I needed something more, I needed the lyrics to reach around and take me by surprise. I personally didn’t get that, but if you’re into bands like The Get Up Kids and MCS, then check out Alive And On Our Own, out now.
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