Reviews

Something Corporate has made a great impression with their latest release, "North." This has always been one band that continues to stay true to their music, yet still put out fresh new pieces and keep their fans constantly entertained. For those of you who haven't heard of Something Corporate, they're a melodic emo rock band hailing from California who can be compared to the likes of The New Amsterdam's. Their last album, Leaving "Through The Window", sold over 250,000 copies. It was a tough job to follow up on some of the songs off past releases such as "Konstantine," "If You C Jordan," and "Globes and Maps," but they sure pulled it off. While I don't think the intro song, "As You Sleep" is the best song to open up the album, it's a catchy song that sets an emotional tone, expressing a much more personal side of Something Corporate. This music is a little harder, which is especially evident on track four, "Only Ashes." The band has certainly matured from California boys recording and just having a good time singing about high and heartache to serious artists who obviously put their all into this record. The lyrics are noticeably darker, which is a change in the right direction for Something Corporate. Maybe it was the landscape that played a part in the inspiration for "North," seeing as how it was recorded in Seattle, while all previous recordings were done in California. The fifth song, "Me and The Moon" is done with so much passion, it amazes me. I don't find myself comparing these songs to anything because they're just great enough on their own. Vocalist Andrew McMahon has improved on his own as well. He's not straining anymore, and his voice seems much deeper and refined. Song 9, "Break Myself," sounds a little too much like a song on "Leaving Through The Window," but at the same time, it's very much it's own.  Lyric wise, "I won't Make You," is the best song on the record. Something Corporate has done a wonderful job putting this record together, and when it's released I hope their hard work pays off.