A Day To Remember – Common Courtesy
Review by Trevor Figge
Fresh off of their lawsuit with Victory Records, A Day To Remember has released their much-anticipated follow-up to What Separates Me From You, Common Courtesy. Over the past year this album has been a bigger tease than that girl/boy you liked in Jr. High. They would list a count down, then quickly go back and cancel the count down much to fans disappointment. No one ever knew why they had delayed the release for so long, but now it was obviously due to legal disputes. So it is with great gusto I clicked ‘play’ on the full album stream. What I was greeted with was “City Of Ocala,” a fast pasted pop-punk song that begs for a circle pit. Jeremy confesses the love he has for ‘where he came from’ and for where it has taken him. Within three minutes and thirty-four seconds you know that A Day To Remember is back and ready to stand their ground at the top of the popcore scene.
Then, “Right Back At It Again,” continues the pop-punk vibes singing about how they “left home with no back up plan.” These two songs make me grin as big as the Cheshire cat’s, and I realize that A Day To Remember is back and just as good as before, with fast punk riffs, break downs, and two step choruses by the handful.
“Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail” is one of A Day To Remember’s heavier songs on the album, with a break down that opens up the pit with ease. This is Common Courtesy’s wake up call to everyone who told them they’re no longer heavy.
“Dead & Buried” follows suit and keeps the breakdowns coming. Yet, it does have one of the more pop choruses on Common Courtesy as A Day to Remember goes into their patented half-time chorus.
“I’m Already, Gone” and “End Of Me” are the quintessential acoustic love/heartbreak song that A Day To Remember includes in every release they’ve had to date (aside from What Separates Me From You). In specific “End Of Me” is a heartbreakingly honest song. Jeremy takes a vocal approach that is more melodic and less ‘angry’.
“Violence” was the single that ignited much if not all of the hype for this album, it is a heavy song reminiscent of For Those Who Have Heart. “Violence” hits hard and drives straight through the bridge.
“I Surrender” is the one song on this album that will make it to the radio if any do. It’s a very pop driven song, and is in fact good in its own respect. However, it is not a stand out track on Common Courtesy; it’s just kind of there.
“Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way” is the heaviest thing on this album. I would like to repeat that. It is the-heaviest-thing-on-this-album. For every person who said they were not heavy enough, this one is for you.
“The Document Speaks For Itself” is the second to last song on Common Courtesy and it just further enforces the idea into your head that A Day To Remember is upset, grateful, and ready to move on.
“I Remember” is the song on Common Courtesy that breaks my heart, as Jeremy professes all the times that he remembers, all the places that he’s been. This is the song that lets fans know just how much they appreciate everything. This is their thank you letter to everyone of their fans who helped make all of these memories possible by supporting them.
Overall, Common Courtesy demonstrates that A Day to Remember is without a doubt a Pop-Punk band, with lyrics about their adoration for their band and the places it’s taken them. All the while being grateful for where they came from. Now, I don’t want this to be forgotten; A Day to Remember has breakdowns and they are technically a “popcore/easycore/post-hardcore” band. But this album is lyrically exactly what A Day To Remember fans have grown to know and love. Honest, heartfelt, true and relatable lyrics. All the while being jam packed with breakdowns and two-stepping choruses.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Recommended Tracks: “City Of Ocela”, “Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail” and “The Document Speaks For Itself”
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