Album Review

Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape, Or FormFour Year Strong – In Some Way, Shape, Or Form

Four Year Strong have recently come back with a tubthumper of a single called ‘Stuck In The Middle’ the song is an massive stadium rock anthem that sounds so close to bands such as the Foo Fighters and Brit indie rockers Feeder and now they have just released their much anticipated forth studio album ‘In Some Way, Shape, Or Form’

It is safe to say that ‘In Some Way, Shape, Or Form’ is going to ensure that Four Year Strong have a very bright future in the music industry as they have created the perfect album which see’s them take their sound a few steps forward as they morph into a stadium rock band but at the same time they are still keeping true to themselves and their fans by executing their music at a fast punk rock pace with full on punk rock attitude and style.

The album opens with ‘The Infected’ which starts with an hectic set of guitar riffs and drum beats and as the song progresses you can see that it just about has the right mix of everything in the way that it starts pretty hectic, the lead vocals are pretty strong and raw sounding yet the chorus becomes quite melodic but still has that rough and raw Four Year Strong edge running through it.

‘The Security Of the Familiar The Tranquility Of Repetition’ is one hell of a mouthful of a name for a track yet musically it is great opening with a bouncy bassline and pulsating drum beats whilst the vocals softly come in until the extremely infectious chorus takes you on one hell of an sing-a-long journey.

‘Stuck In The Middle’ is the band’s latest single and it easily gives bands like the Foo Fighters a run for their money when it comes to creating a catchy as hell big sounding stadium rock anthem, the song is blatantly screaming to be played out at arenas and festival fields across the country and I am sure that is going to happen sooner rather than later.

‘Just Drive’ is a big mix of old and new Four Year Strong and opens up sounding very much like early Sum 41 with a tasty little instrumental introduction, the chorus is yet another infectious one with a lot of bounce and overall the song shows off a real polished off mature side to Four Year Strong.

The rest of the album continues to flow in pretty much the same way as the album starts out with each song having heavy moments yet extremely catchy choruses and radio friendly moments oozing throughout and there really is not a dull moment to be found throughout.

I know ‘In Some Way, Shape, Or Form’ has been slated by many people who claim that Four Year Strong are stuck in a rut not knowing what direction they want to progress in but I think that is utter bollocks as ‘In Some Way, Shape, Or form’ is one hell of a solid listenable album and it is physically impossible to pick out a favourite moment as everything flows so well and stands out in its own right.

Four Year Strong are hot property at the moment and one brief listen of ‘In Some Way, Shape, Or Form’ will tell you why and also give you an insight into what a bright future these guys have ahead of them.

5/5

Review by Trigger

 Band Members

Dan O'Connor
Alan Day
Joe Weiss
Jake Massucco
 Track Listing
1. The Infected
2. The Security Of The Familiar, The Tranquility Of Repetition
3. Stuck In The Middle
4. Just Drive
5. Fairweather Fan
6. Sweet Kerosene
7. Falling On You
8. Heaven Wasn't Built To Hold Me
9. Unbreakable
10. Bring On The World
11. Fight The Future
12. Only The Meek Get Pinched. The Bold Survive
 Band Related Links
Four Year Strong MySpace
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?