Bayside- The Walking Wounded

Artist: Bayside
Album: The Walking Wounded
Label: Victory Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: February 6, 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.5

Following up their wildly successful album Devotion and Desire released on Victory Records, Bayside are set to attract more fans to them. The Walking Wounded is twelve tracks packed with emotion and vitality. From the opening track “The Walking Wounded” which features Vinnie (I Am the Avalanche/The Movielife) to their single “Duality”, Bayside offers thundering anthems that introduces newfound maturity and urgency to their sound.

Bayside is one of the bands I like to listen and actually pay attention to their lyrics. Although they might cover some of the same topics as their previous albums, the sound is what makes them new and different. One of my favorite songs from The Walking Wounded is the album titled song “The Walking Wounded”, because it has the recognizable Bayside sound and not to mention guest vocalist done by Vinnie who was in my favorite band The Movielife. As you start to enter the album and pass “They’re Not Horses, They’re Unicorns” and “Duality” you are immediately in a crossfire between judging the next song “Carry On” as a good song or an ok song. However, “I and I” makes up for it with the Bayside sing along sections as well as does the rest of the album. One thing I really like about Bayside is that Anthony has a voice that makes you want to get caught up in their heartfelt lyrics and emotion he’s singing about in a addition with Jacks guitar interludes. Plus, at a concert, which I have witnessed, many fans can get caught up in the moment and be at one with the songs. This release, despite its maturity, will not alienate their old fans or the ones they made by sharing bills with groups like The Sleeping, Smoking Popes, I Am The Avalanche, Halifax . If you haven’t heard of Bayside, I suggest you go and pick up a copy of every cd they have put out, you’re missing out.

Track Listing:
1. The Walking Wounded
2. They’re Not Horses, They’re Unicorns
3. Duality
4.Carry On
5. I and I
6. Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem
7.Head on A Plate
8. Dear Your Holiness
9.Landing Feet First
10.Thankfully
11.A Rite of Passage
12.(POP)Ular ScencE