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Exclusive: Life On The Sideline EP announcement, music video premiere

Since releasing Honesty Is A Dying Breed two years ago, Life On The Sideline has remained active on the road and is now ready to unveil its upcoming EP, Never Settle. To kick things off, we're premiering the music video for the band's new single, "Echo", which tells the sad story of a young girl reminiscing times spent with her deceased partner. While not a pop punk song per se, it's as catchy as one with an infectious chorus that you'll inevitably get stuck in your head. The band's sound could be compared to that of Transit's and The Early November's. Fans can pre-order the EP on iTunes and CD here, before it's released on June 7th. […]

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Review: Second To Last - "Nobody Cares"

Release InfoSecond To Last - Nobody Cares
Release Date: November 12th, 2013
Record Label: Self-released
Buy: Digital

Picking right up where they left off with their split EP, Changing Tides, with Dublin, Ireland's Starters, Second To Last brings to the table the release of their latest full-length, Nobody Cares, a heavy-hitting album that truly captures their lighthearted and energetic punk sound. What separates Nobody Cares apart from their previous releases is the band's full sounding progression that blow listeners away.

The opening track, "Give Me Anything", starts off the record with a droning introduction that lightly touches your senses with a blissful sound that alternates back and forth with explosive chords throughout the entire song. "California, Son" follows suit with a similar progressive pattern, by opening with faster tempo that also provides a melodic undertone that is complimentary to the song's explosive appeal.

"Your Favorite Cigarette" is definitely one of the first stand-out tracks that comes to mind when listening to Nobody Cares for the first time. From its catchy lyrics to its upbeat sound, listeners will instantly fall in love with and not help, but cling onto lines like "You put me out like your favorite cigarette/I am burning in the pavement". It is guaranteed that lovesick fans of Pinkerton and Your Favorite Weapon will be belting out to a song like "Your Favorite Cigarette" after driving home from getting rejected by their crush.

There are a few other stand alone singles on Nobody Cares that also provide listeners with deep perspectives on their own self-worth. For instance, in the song the "Window Seat", while introvert lyrics such as "What's the forecast for today?/Let it rain all over my parade", flood through your head like a hovering raincloud, comforting lines like "It goes on and on, the same old song/Growing up and taking the world on/I'm taking the world on tonight", may also reassure listeners to fight through their thoughts in order to conquer another day regardless of their own doubts.

Also, for those who picked up their Changing Tides split with Starters, listeners will be in for a treat when they hear remastered versions of songs like "Radiation" and "Intruder" carry over into the new record. It is always refreshing to hear older songs find their way to fit into the full length because it reflects the simplicity of enjoying the progression of the band while becoming engaged with a new and innovative twist to their older songs.

Nobody Cares is an album that reflects back on Second To Last's upbeat and energetic sound and takes it to the next level. From start to finish, this is a toe-tapping and head banging record that you cannot help, but get into right away. With this full-length under their belt, Second To Last provides listeners with a complete and progressive sounding release with an album like Nobody Cares. For fans of lighthearted and melodic punk with an explosive and emotional appeal, Nobody Cares is a record that will definitely keep you warm as we slowly approach the remaining weeks of Fall.

Tracklist:
1. Give Me Anything
2. California, Son
3. Your Favorite Cigarette
4. Untitled
5. Radiation
6. World On Fire
7. Window Seat
8. Freight Train Blues
9. Blaze
10. Intruder
11. Bucket List

RIYL: Youth by Citizen, Futures by Jimmy Eat World, Pinkerton by Weezer, Dear You by Jawbreaker, End Measured Mile by Make Do and Mend
Rating:

More reviews by Ryan McGrath

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