Bayside – The Walking Wounded

“Your pulling at your teeth and I’m the Novocain you pump in your cheeks- That’s why I’m still around, you’ve got blood running down your chin…but you suffered peacefully.”

When songs open up with such vivid lyrics, you know your in for a treat, and that’s exactly what Bayside brings on their newest album, The Walking Wounded. First let me preface by saying while I’ve enjoyed nearly the entire catalog by Bayside, I’ve always felt they had something missing. I felt that their first album (that I got the chance to listen too), Sirens and Condolences, was a great start as far as a band was concerned. Killer lyrics, nice flow to the album, but something just wasn’t there, while I could listen to it a few times it grew stale fast. I looked forward to hearing their next album, the self titled Bayside and found myself getting stuck with the same feelings- something just wasn’t clicking. Now after giving their newest album a good solid week of listening, I think they have finally hit upon what works for them and are starting to show some growth.

As first mentioned, the lyrics on this album really stand out. While being part of a genre that makes its mark with clever and witty lyrics, you can tell what Bayside ends up putting down onto paper and onto the album is true to the heart and soul of the band. You wont find any cliché pop punk ideals hidden here- this is some of the bleakest, yet most honest, lyrics I’ve heard in a long time. From the songs you’d expect to hear about relationships, the girl that did you wrong, to stuff you might not expect, like one to many beers to compensate for that hollow feeling in your heart and soul. One of the most gleaming examples of maturity in lyrics while poking fun of the industry that supposed them is found on the song “[Pop]ular Science”, which is their dig at the music industry and the ways record execs end up trying to find the “best” songs. They just come right out and say it “all the best songs, what’s the best about them?”

Musically the album screams Bayside. As soon as you hear that distinctive voice belted out by Anthony Raneri you know what to expect, and they don’t disappoint. The Walking Wounded is a must have for fans of Bayside, but its also a great example of what this genre can produce when the stars align.

PS- Interesting side note….did you know Anthony Raneri is married to a porn star? Dude! Shes hot! Do a little research and check her out, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed..;)