So, it took me a few listens but I am now completely head over heels in love with the new Four Year Strong record. As far as major label debuts go, this is top notch. My initial reaction was to compare it to Rise or Die (not to any Set Your Goals releases like Alt Press tends to be doing and it’s really pissing me off). The two records are completely different.

In my opinion, the music on Rise or Die is way more hard hitting and memorable. The guitar work was unlike anything I had heard prior to it. However, on this new album I think that the choruses open up way more. That coupled with Machine’s amazing production job makes the record larger than life. The lyrics are way more personal than on Rise or Die as well (just my opinion).

I recently saw FYS on their Enemy of the World Tour and man they were running like a well oiled machine….with beards. I had seen them twice prior to that and I have to say they really tightened up their live performance. These songs are NOT easily to play live.