In my honest opinion, 2013 wasn’t a spectacular year for music. Though there were certainly a few gems to be found, there wasn’t a boat load of releases that I would say really made their mark. But without further ado, here are my top 5 albums of 2013. Honorable Mentions Migrant – The Dear…
Tag Archives: Remember
Common Courtesy is the fifth studio album by A Day to Remember. Though the album had to go through many legal battles and court cases to finally be released, it came out victorious and my goodness, what a victorious album it is.
1. City of Ocala
Great way to open the record. A nice tribute to the band’s home town, a kind of homage to where it all started. Though few screams on the track, it has that alternative sound on it that ADTR is so good at. Definitely a solid start and it leads perfectly into Right Back At It Again.
2. Right Back At It Again
As mentioned before, City of Ocala is led directly into this track. I am a absolute sucker for song connection on albums, and this is a perfect example. Again, this is a somewhat nostalgic song. In my opinion, it’s basically a big middle finger to anyone who doubted them. Would I say it’s cocky? No, not at all. ADTR completely deserves the recognition they have and this song really represents them well.
3. Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail
There is something about the weird chanting at the beginning of this track that always gets me. This song is in my opinion one of the strongest on the record. A perfect blend of post-hardcore and those classic choruses ADTR is so good at composing. It also contains one of my favorite lyrics on the album when Jeremy screams “You don’t have to like me, but you’re gonna respect me!” Indeed Jeremy, I do respect you, and the rest of the band for that matter. Definitely check this track out.
4. Dead and Buried
This song is one that I’m sure will be a single soon. It’s a hard hitting song that has a chanting chorus that any band would love to play live. The breakdown near the 2:16 point is absolutely gorgeous. Also have to give major props to Alex on the drums, they really sound great on this track.
5. Best of Me
This is the first track where I start to lose a bit of interest. Definitely the most generic sounding song on the record. That being said, it’s not totally bad, I just think it’s a bit of a filler track. The chorus is a bit cliche and I really feel they could have written something better. The album would have been just as good without it included, but it really doesn’t hurt either.
6. I’m Already Gone
This is the first acoustic song on the album. It feels like a song that they really didn’t have to think much for. It’s just a song that would flow right out of the mind. It’s beautiful and one that I listen to constantly. I love the bridge where Jeremy sings “For everything that sets me back, I push back harder to clear the way.” Tattoo worthy lyric? Possibly. This is definitely my favorite of the acoustic songs on the album, and one of my favorites on the album as a whole.
7. Violence (Enough is Enough)
This is the first single released on the album and was actually released in December 2012. I love the guitar at the beginning of this track, really gives a good vibe of the whole track. One of the hardest songs on the album, it was a great choice as a single to kick off the album. Jeremy sounds absolutely pissed off in this track, and I love it. Especially after all of the legal battles to get this album out, this songs fits perfectly and is definitely one of the best.
8. Life @ 11
Again, this track falls to the same problems as Best of Me. It’s just kind of boring and generic. I really don’t have much to say about this track. The chorus is kind of fun, but that’s about it. Pass.
9. I Surrender
Jeremy sounds a bit weird at the beginning of this track, but once he starts to sing “So I Surrender” it really starts to kick in. The song flows really nicely and just leaves you with a good taste in your mouth once it’s over. I Really like this track.
10. Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Being only two minutes long, this is the shortest track on the album but by far the most intense. I really don’t know what the inspiration was to this song, but whatever it may be it was with an angry intent. My god they sound so angry and it’s goddamn amazing. I wish it would have been longer, but it’s just enough to really get you pumped. Blast this song LOUD!
11. End of Me
Now, to my one song I really am confused about. This is a ballad (or as much of a ballad as you can get out of a post- hardcore pop band) and it really doesn’t fit after Life Lesson. You go from really hard to really slow, not a great track order in my opinion. The song itself is beautiful. A lot of emotion was put into this one. I just wish it would have been placed somewhere else on the album tracking.
12. The Document Speaks for Itself
This song isn’t very memorable. It’s a good song, but not much here is new. Classic catchy chorus with a few screams. This is what I call a ‘shuffle song’. You’re never going to pick this song out, but you’ll listen to it if it comes up on a shuffle.
13. I Remember
This song is phenomenal. It represents all the years these guys have had together, and all the memories they have. The chorus gave me chills the first time I listened. The track ends with 4~ minutes of the band talking about their favorite memories on tour. Fun to listen to the first time, but kind of annoying after a few listens. Overall, just a really great, heartfelt song.
My Favorite Track.
Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail
Final Thoughts
This is one of the best albums A Day to Remember has ever put out. You can tell they put a lot of time into making each song unique and giving the fans a really great listen. Though there are a couple duds, you can’t deny that this album is fantastic and is one of the standout albums of the year.
Rating
8.5 out of 10
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Thanks for reading!
~Mitch
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