The Wonder Years Band • Page 12

yeah they definitely mixed things up more than TWY have so far, but every album of theirs has at least a few bog standard Thursday tracks mixed in with the more progressive and different tracks. TWY have basically done the same, just not to such an extent.

 

I have a feeling the band will continue in this darker rock direction next LP. Granted, I dont have the leeway I had in 2013 and havent really talked to the band in a while, but it seems like something theyd pursue. Maybe incorporate more space into the songs like Stained Glass Ceilings and C&S and Patsy Cline.

Unless Steve Evetts does something awful, theyll probably always stick with him Hes produced several of their favorite records in addition to just being a good friend of theirs. He contributes extra guitars and piano parts also, he plays the piano on NCTH title track, so he'll probably always be a factor in their sound.

 

Yeah, it's something I think about a lot. JEW and ATL are the ones that do this perfectly to me (other than Dirty Work, which was whatever). I can't put YC in the same category because they have one album I absolutely can't stand and two more that I'm close to indifferent about. It's hard to do, for sure. Green Day did a good job for me up until that god awful trilogy, but obviously their career trajectory is unique too.

One band that I think had really good progression from album to album, even if I don't personally like all of it that much, is MCS. I feel like they really nailed what you're talking about. That's kinda what I would call "just enough" ... anything less than that has never really worked for me. It's a super hard line to find, and it's different for everyone.

 

My personal wish list from TWY: songs with more space and post-rock type breaks, more on the soft end of their sound with Dan singing in the lower range and exploring different textures instrumentally. I'd also go for a more "radio rock", hook centric sound with way more polished production, but again... not gonna happen.

 

yep, totally agreed. JEW do it the best, MCS have done it pretty well too. The problem with MCS is every time they did something new and unique (EIIKM, Go), the fans didnt like it so they regressed a bit (MDL, PS) and I'm afraid that could happen with TWY. I still love those more regressive albums, but its a shame they didnt pursue the sounds they were playing with on the former albums more.

Taking another one of my all time favorites, The National, I think they've done a good job of retaining that syrupy, slow, dark indie rock throughout the last 5 records and incorporating just enough flourishes and changes to keep things spicy. Its a bit of a damned if you do, damned if you dont thing. Some artists are frankly just more talented at straddling that line between consistency and exploration.

 

Yep, that's the bottom line. Regarding The National, though, I need to check out more of their stuff. I've only really gotten into the last album.

 

same. I think the former is the more likely to happen, but either one are possibilities and would be nice. I wouldnt be surprised if Dan takes a page from Invented era Jim Adkins or ACTBLD era Geoff Rickly and plays around with song perspective and concepts.

 

if you liked Trouble youll really like Alligator. Sad Songs onward is a golden stretch of fantastic music imo.

 

that'd be interesting. I just hope I like the next album more, but I'm also willing to accept if I don't really like the band anymore.

 

This band kills the b-side game. This discussion has ignited a binge session. Me Vs The Highway, I Was Scared & I'm Sorry, fucking Slow Dancing With San Andreas. All great. Even their cover of IIOIs Anchor is fantastic. I just pretend its their song, it fits into their catalog pretty well and they add some nice dynamics to it.

 

They totally should though.

 

Definitely need some accordion up in here.

 

Ace Enders and a million different instruments definitely helped me like the Aaron West album more than any Wonder Years album.

 

For those waiting on a Fall tour (like me):

 

Can't wait for the announcement. Gonna be a good one!

 

Do they not believe in their own song writing? Are they unwilling to take risks? I don't understand. Because they were in a prime position to be the next Yellowcard or Starting Line and I think they kind of blew it by putting (virutally) the same record out for a third time. No maturation, no risk, no experimentation (in my opinion, anyway). They made no attempt to write songs that covered or appealed to more than one audience, and it's funny that he mentioned Yellowcard when that band has had commercial and mainstream success, the Wonder Years have not.

 

Of course they believe in their own songwriting. NCTH took plenty of risk and maturation imo. They broadened their topics to reach more people. They kept the hooks slick to appeal to more. They've had plenty of commercial success haha. They're massive still. Maybe not here, but they do quite well. Granted they've never had an Ocean Avenue or Way Away but that's not really the bands fault. I'm just telling you what I've been told and what I've seen.

 

I understand. And honestly, the themes they tried to address on NCTH felt very....forced, insincere, and disingenuous coming from them. I hate saying that, but it really did. Maybe that's why I really dislike the record, I don't know.

 

I completely disagree. Dan literally had one of his students get shot and killed. Mike Pelone, a dear friend, died of an overdose. The topics they covered and the way they covered them felt very genuine and sincere on that album.

 

I will never understand the dislike for NCTH. I think it has some of their most powerful songs... I listened to many of them during a night drive yesterday, and they held up. I think it was a very sincere record, and a solid evolution.

 

Couldn't agree more

 

I'm super interested to hear the next National record, I just feel like they have to do something more different. They've walked fairy similar terrain for three albums now. Next time around small tweaks may not suffice.

 

Go was an incredible record and it's a fucking shame people don't love and celebrate it. The songwriting and maturity on that album is stunning, even the biggest / most successful bands could only dream of writing an album like Go. Sometimes, our community of fans make no sense to me.

 

Now this I can get behind. 2nd best MCS no doubt. A flawless album. Such a great way for them to progress by slowing down and letting the songs breath.

 

Cigarettes and Saints is their best song. Cardinal is borderline top five. I found the work to be sincere but I feel like those who disagree could likely point to Dan's strained vocals which were a little overused in my opinion. They would be more impactful if used more sparingly. It made a few tracks sound forced.
Forced does not equal insincere btw.