The Graduate – Anhedonia

Artist: The Graduate
Album: Anhedonia
Label: ICON MES
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: April 10th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.8.
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

The Graduate, who seem to have come out of the shadows almost overnight, are creating a huge buzz for their debut full length “Anhedonia.” What are you looking for in a good record? Amazing vocals, fast driving drums, or hooks all over the place? Well take you pick because The Graduate serve up all of the above.

Anhedonia opens up with â┚¬Ã…”Sit and Sinkâ┚¬? which lets the listener know exactly what they’re in for with the solid vocals and hooks that fill the song. â┚¬Ã…”I Survivedâ┚¬? could be this records anthem, if it were to have one. The song starts off vocally and then the drums take over and drive the song the rest of the way. The song sells the point of being glad to make it through something and be able to move on.

â┚¬Ã…”Anhedoniaâ┚¬?, the slightly darker title track is one of the weaker tracks the record has with the chorus peaking interest yet not really feeling like it fulfills on it. However, The Graduate tend to throw down a Cartel like rock style with a tad less pop. Not only their music style sings of Cartel, but the vocals have that Cartel feel to them as well, which is not a bad thing. The vocals are definitely something that will get this band noticed.

The record rounds out with â┚¬Ã…”Surround Yourselfâ┚¬? which carries such a groove that itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s hard to resist bobbing your head and wanting to just sing out “we donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t get down in front, we never get what we want.”

Besides a track or two that fall a little short, The Graduate has succeeded in putting out a debut full length that will be hard to top. The record, which could be categorized a perfect blend of acceptance and cartel, will be sure to be one of the sleeper hits of the year. Be sure to check out this much deserved band before they blow up and everyone else on to the next big thing before you.

Tracklisting
1. Sit and Sink
2. I Survived
3. Bet It All
4. Anhedonia
5. The City That Read
6. Better Company
7. Surround Yourself
8. Interlude
9. Doppleganger
10. Stay The Same
11. Justified
12. Sing