Story of the Year

Page Avenue was excellent. In the Wake of Determination was decent. The Black Swan will leave you winded, exhilarated, and slightly disappointed, because I currently doubt anyone's ability to top the Black Swan. It employ's Dan's wide range of vocal talent with powerful lyrics that weave perfectly into their music. With a good balance of hard and soft songs (soft being very relative), it brings the best of Page Avenue and adds some of the edge and complex lyrical themes from In The Wake of Determination.
Dont judge the album based on the first song - it happens to be my least favorite. Listen to Wake Up, We Aren't Gunna Make it, and Terrified. If you get a chance, download their bonus tracks "Never Let it Go" and "Save One".
This might be the best album in my library. The music is versatile, works for any mood, and doesn't wear out.
If you get a chance, see them live. I saw them at Warped Tour in 2008 and opening for Linkin Park in 2003. Awesome shows.

Well, I have been a SoTY fan since I first heard "In wake of determination". After that I went out and got their first record, Page avenue, as well. The albums are quite different. The first, Page Avenue, is soft, radio-friendly and catchy tunes with the occasion hard song. Their 2nd album reversed the roles, having a heavy rhythm the whole way with a few relaxed songs.

With the Black Swan, they tried to put it all together, and the result is an amazing post-hardcore album. NOTE, that this will appeal MUCH more to the fans of Wake of Determination than Page Avenue. However, If you are just a SOTY fan and enjoy both their previous albums (like myself) then you will absolutely love this. Better riffs, catchy songs, MUCH more thought-provoking lyrics, and you have an album worth keeping in your car for months.

This CD is amazing on many levels. First of all, anyone who was a fan of this band before will only be impressed. They have really stepped it up on this record. The song writing is better than ever, the hooks are catchy, the guitar work is brilliant, and the overall 'theme' of the cd is perfect. For every heavy part of the album there is an equal soft side. They managed a perfect blend of everything. There is def. something for EVERYONE on this cd. If you like HEAVY music - Choose Your Fate; if your looking for something a little calmer and soft - Terrified; Looking for more of the modern radio rock? - We're Not Gonna Make it.

Story Of The Year has this amazing ability to give something new that fits with everything that is going on in music today without blending in with everyone else. My hat is off to the band for this record. I am a die-hard fan and a professional musician, and just from a musical stand point alone; I would have to say I LOVE THIS ALBUM. If your sick of the same crappy music you hear all over the radio and MTV (bands like Seether, Daughtry, and all the c@ck rock bands like Buck Cherry and Hinder and MANY MORE) then this CD is perfect for you.

The production is great and you'll be humming the hooks the second your done listening to the album. Every song on this CD is a hit. I wouldn't take any song off the album, though after listening to the CD you only wish that there were about 47 more songs, unfortunately there aren't. Its great to see a band that is about the musis and not just getting paid. I'm sick of bands putting out the same songs crying about their ex and how they got hurt or whatever, if I want to hear someone whining I'll watch Dr. Phil. So if your gonna spend any money and support a band, why not a band that actually stands for something and does what they do for the love of music? You WILL NOT be dissapointed.

I respect all of the people who have voiced their opinion on this album. However, now is my time to let you knwo why this is the best album of the year by far.

Look up the lyrics to each of the songs. NO album over the past couple of years has taken on all of the problems that the world is dealing with nowadays and said were going to tackle all of these problems to music.

It is utter bliss.

Altough everyone things Page Avenue was the bands "best" record it must be noted that the reason people think this was becaus at this time Story of the Year greated that new rock sound.

In the Wake of Determination went back to rock and people were like...this isnt Story...this isnt there sound.

Here in the Black Swan they mix it up satisfying both sets of fans and I couldn't be more pleased with this record. If you have the opportunity try and find someone who pre-ordered the album on itunes and has the extra track "Never let it go" its one of the best songs on the album by far

So there's this formula that a lot of bands use, it goes like this.

1.) Breakout album achieves much notice.
2.) Sophomore album tries a bunch of new stuff, which creates new fans but also deters some of the old fans.
3.) Third album takes a step back and satisfies both the new and old fans.

This happens to a lot of bands and it happened to Story of the Year, not that that's a bad thing. This CD basically continues the journey that "In the Wake of Determination" began, while also reflecting on the original roots of the band that lie in "Page Avenue" This is a huge step up from their sophomore release, and it took me a while to figure out why, but I think I finally got it. Whenever I listened to "In the Wake..." I couldn't help but get the impression that the band didn't know where they wanted to take their sound, all they knew is that they didn't want to write another "Page Avenue" So that CD was all over the place in it's effort to get something new.

Almost three years later we get a much more professionally done "In the Wake of Determination" The CD opens up with possibly the rawest display of Dan's vocals ever, but then we transition over and the sound is cleaner, the songs are well constructed, it's not as blunt and 'TURN THE AMP UP TO 11 RAWR!' as its predecessor, which is good. Althogether this album goes down smooth and is a pretty easy listen to a fan of either of the other SOTY albums.

Music wise, it's pretty much the same SOTY. We have the obvious emphasis on guitars and those catchy-as-ever hooks, solos, and breakdowns. The guitars here are just as amazing as ever if you've been following this band since their beginnings, like I have. Again we see the bass being totally ignored (Grrr...), in fact, the only song where I could consciously stop and say "Oh yeah, there's the bass guitar" was "Cannonball" Lyrically, Dan is as brilliant as he has ever been, with lyrics that stretch back to the days of "Page Avenue" when the songs would actually make me ponder my life through that he was saying (Let's face it, with songs like "Meathead" and "We Don't Care Anymore," the lyrics on "In the Wake" were not very good.) I don't hold it against them that they're not 'trying new stuff' but that might have something to do with the fact that I bought "The Bright Lights of America" the same day as this CD.

So yeah, if you liked them before, you'll still like them, if you didn't like them before, you're not gonna like them this time around. This is still the band we know, and in my case, love, and they continue to be the frontrunners in this kind of rock with its obvious metal/punk/alternative/other stuff influences, so if you're into that sort of thing, this is definitely for you. Highlights on the CD are "Choose Your Fate," "Cannonball," maybe "Tell Me," and the best track on the CD in my opinion and best track SOTY has ever written, "Message to the World"

Oh man... and I had intended this to be a short review.

Story of the year is a pretty good band and I have to admit I really enjoyed their debut album tremendously. Their an Alternative Rock sound with some Screamo influences and Punk influences as well. Its pretty good stuff, the melodies are sweet, the sound itself is good all the riffs are memorable and original and very catchy they manage to be catchy, a little heavy (this is obviousley not a Job For A Cowboy album or a Slayer album here ok guys), and of course very melodic. The production is great too I love the sound of the guitars and the drums think it fit perfectly for the band they said they didnt like it and wanted it more like their second album came out but personally I think this one was better. Overall its an awsome CD and just about every song is great and every one is worth a listen deff their best work so far. In The Wake of Determination (Their sophmore album) wasnt as good in my opinion as its predesessor however its still worth a good listen as well.

Are you upset from a relationship that has just ended?? Then check out this "spiffy" album to help you get over it!!

I have been listening to metal/screamo/punk/indie records for sometime now. I have a very wide taste and have heard just about all most of those genres have to offer. SOTY was one of the first bands I ever heard from those mentioned genres. This being the cd I heard. I own both this cd and their sophomore effort "In the Wake of Determination." Both cds have similar sounding songs but PA has so much more rawness and grit to it. The guitars hit hard in both albums, but the vocals are so much more heartfelt in Page Avenue. Dan did what most lead singers do in their second or third cds, go soft. You can only scream they way they do so much before your vocal chords tell you they've had enough. If you ask me, Dan's scream is probably the most clean cut and best sounding out there in this cd compared to others in the genre. Stand out tracks are ofcourse, Until the Day I Die, Anthem of Our Dying Day, and Razorblades. All tracks are decent.

Matt let me borrow it, so I forced myself to listen to the whole album, and it was horrible! Like Kiss!

MATT: HEY! HOW DARE YOU INSULT KISS AND STORY OF THE YEAR?!?!?
WHAT IS WRONG WIT YO BRAIN?????

I have 'In the Wake of Determination' but I think this is a solid album. Every song is performed well and they're all extremely well written. The stand out songs are: 'Until The Day I Die','Anthem of Our Dying Day','Sidewalks',and 'Swallow the Knife'. This is a great punk/hardcore album and Story of the Year is one of the best bands out there.

When I first heard Story of the year it was on the soundtrack of Need for Speed Underground with their hit "The Hero Will Drown". And for a time I hadn't heard much about them and I was listening to rap and hip-hop. Sadly rock wasn't for me back then. But that all changed when I listened to Linkin Park and since then I have only listened to rock. Many bands caught my eye but then I heard this album and let me tell you I was a little caught of guard with the Advisory sticker but I gave a whirl. It was amazing I enjoyed the more hardcore tracks, well, they were all hardcore but I loved it. To be honest this is the only album of theirs that I have listened to...but it was sheer ear candy. My personal favorite was " Is this my fate? He asked them." it was totally legendary material and also " We don't care anymore is such a rocking song. I am so happy I listened to this album it is nothing less of revolutionary I must admit for a band such as this I was expecting much but I was sadly mistaken. So if you haven't heard this go out and buy it. If you are a real fan of rock pick this one up, it deserves praise.

Overall this album is good, I dont think the riffs are quite as focused as the last album however, their debut is great if you havent heard that album Page Avenue check it out. However the songs remain good still and true to the SOTY formula of Screamo,Pop-Punk and Alternative rock. Its a great mix and they pull it off good. Only thing about this album is there's a few songs I skip (Debut had none for me) plus for me personally while many songs on the album are good the singles and "Big hits" are my fav songs on the album where as I really enjoyed their hits on their Debut album however I happened to have enjoyed almost all the rest of the songs much much more and really thats why I fell in love with it. Overall like I said good music, well made, the riffs are new and not tested and genuanlly original and the melodies are great once again. Only couple of bad things I can say some songs had potential and go nowhere, could be a little longer and they could have progressed a little more from their debut. Plus they like the production on the this albumm better personally I liked the other ones better. See SOTY live their a pretty good show and do an awsome set usually, seen them a couple times worth the money and I'd have to say this CD is too however Id start with their Debut album its a great one. Chekc out their new album The Black Swan I believe it is.

Because this band went in a different direction from 'Page Avenue', this album suffered much more than it should have. You aren't going to find the rare radio friendly post hardcore single on this disc the way you did with "Until The Day I Die." Story of the Year didn't go out of their way to produce the "Sidewalks" song that reeled in the mainstream fans. Therefore, sales went down when in fact, their sophomore LP was colorful and brilliant. They replaced producer John Feldmann from 'Page Avenue' with Steve Evetts who placed more emphasis on the impact of the guitars, primarily the bass. With that, Story of the Year strayed somewhat from the sound that made them popular, yet somehow sunk underground with a record that actually topped their debut.

The first single, "We Don't Care Anymore" has an immediate impact of change, though vocally doesn't sound much different from "Until The Day I Die." The lyrics weren't quite as catchy, giving the song a much shorter stay on the radio. "Take Me Back", the second single, was given almost no airplay, though featuring some of the best guitars you'll hear from a band of of SOTY's stature. This song is Philip Sneed's chance to utilize his skill, and not only are the riffs exceptional, but the bridge is phenomenal.
From there, the band goes on to create a supporting cast of songs that could blow your mind if it's open enough to a little change. "Our Time Is Now" is an awesome driving song and one of my favorite motivational songs for playing sports. "Sleep" is as close you'll find to a ballad on this album, though it builds itself into a heart pumping finish. I'm also quite fond of the guitar work in the verses of this song. "Pay Your Enemy" and "Wake Up The Voiceless" are hard knocking anthems that promote strength and action in life. They are beautifully performed and display the band's poetic writing ability.
However, my two favorite songs on the album are "Stereo" and "'Is This My Fate,' He Asked Them." These two songs have the defining components that make SOTY the band they are; a compilation of loud, poised, finely finished tracks that are unequivocally smooth both vocally and musically. "Stereo" has one of the most powerful choruses I've heard in years and "'Is This My Fate'.." is a flat out masterpiece in my opinion. Not only do Dan's vocals reach a tremendous new high, but the lyrics appeal to any listener and the guitars are insane. This is probably one of the best mosh songs of the 21st century just for its relentless driving force and attitude. If my review is not convincing enough to buy the album, at the very least, download this song. It won't disappoint.

1. We Don't Care Anymore: 4.5/5
2. Take Me Back: 5/5
3. Our Time Is Now: 4.5/5
4. Taste The Poison: 3.5/5
5. Stereo: 5/5
6. Five Against The World: 3/5
7. Sleep: 4/5
8. Meathead: 4/5
9. March Of The Dead: 4.5/5
10. Pay Your Enemy: 4.5/5
11. Wake Up The Voiceless: 4.5/5
12. "Is This My Fate," He Asked Them: 5/5
13. (Hidden) Silent Murder: 4/5

This record needs more attention than it's received over the past 2 years. I agree with change, because without it, a band doesn't evolve. What would music be if every artist continued to recycle and re-use their old lyrics, their old sound, their old ideas? What would music be if a band produced 4 albums, 48 songs that sounded exactly the same? I support changes of direction because it gives bands an opportunity to showcase their talent on different levels, explore their abilities around different perimeters. 'In The Wake Of Determination' is an underground masterpiece. Help the fans bring it to the surface.

Grade: A+

After an incredibly successful debut, Story of the Year takes a bold step with their sophomore release, "In the Wake of Determination." Gone is the "screamo" sound they won so many fans over with. Let's just say you won't find a "Sidewalks" on this CD. Enter a louder, more aggressive, anthemic attack, with noticeably heavier guitars and more intense vocals. In fact, there are metal influences littered throughout the album. You can hear it in the backing guitars on the first few songs, but the first time it really slaps you in the face is the shredding guitar solo on "Taste the Poison". Then the bridge to "Stereo" sounds like something straight from an As I Lay Dying album. And the album's closer, "'Is This My Fate', He Asked Them", is the closest thing Story of the Year could get to a full-on metal song.

I have mixed feelings about this new sound. Although the screamo scene has since become worn out, I thought Story of the Year produced some of the best that the genre had to offer. In general, I prefer the softer, more melodic sound of "Page Avenue" to the "rock anthem" sound of ITWOD. However, I really don't blame them for moving away from it, and I don't think it's a coincidence that a lot of the bands I like, for example Story of the Year, Finch, and Underoath, were all screamo at one point but moved away from it with later albums. The mark of a true artist is one that makes the kind of music that THEY wanted to make, not just what sells, and not even what their current fan base wants to hear. The lyrics really display that...even though the "Come join our revolution!" style calls are a tad cliché and get tired near the end of the CD, they still come across as impassioned and honest. Indeed, they were truly motivated from within, and you can't expect an artist to function any other way, even if it means losing some old fans in the process.

The strength of the CD lies in its first half. The very first 15 or so seconds will absolutely kick your ass...I can't think of a better way to start this CD, or any CD for that matter. The rest of that first song and single, "We Don't Care Anymore", holds up pretty well too. "Take Me Back" is a good follow up and was the second single, but I would've preferred it to be "Our Time Is Now", with its driving double-time chorus. You'll no doubt find yourself sing along to the "We take controooo-ooooo-oooool" at the end. "Stereo" seems to be a fan favorite, and it's one of mine as well, with its catchy chorus and pointed attack at the sad state of today's mainstream music. After "Stereo", however, the album starts to go downhill, with one exception; "Sleep", which for me is the highlight of the album. The subdued, captivating feel it begins with could easily pass for a great song, but then at the end it explodes, and you can't help but feel the "WE WILL, TRY FOREVER! WE WILL, DRIVE FOREVER!" Aside from "Sleep", back half of the CD starts to blend together. By the time we get to songs like "Five Against the World" and "Wake Up the Voiceless", we already understand the call-to-action message they're pushing, and there aren't enough memorable song moments to really distinguish one song from the next.

Still, the first half of the CD is good enough to justify spins in my CD player. I preferred their old sound, but I appreciate the evolution, and look forward to their next release.

Alright so Page Avenue was pretty damn good and showed a lot of potential. Well that potential was UNLEASHED on this release! I was excited to get it, and it exceeded my expectations. Instantly amazed. They went harder than before which is a good thing, although they can play the slower stuff like "Sidewalks" an "Swallow the Knife". This is just great music. Tonnes of energy, lots of melody, awesome vocals and some great guitar work. These guys aren't afraid to go fast and hard. 5 stars and give me more I can't wait!

I have been listening to this group for a long time. First time i watched this DVD I loved it, They make the crowd get into most of their songs...You want a rock group with lots of energy..this one for you... But my favourite is the bonus features, it has:

Music Videos (5.1 Audio) Sidewalks, Athem of my dying day, Until the day I Die,...
AOL Sessions, And the making of the Sidewalks video.

Also a Documentary of the groups life in BASSASSINS. Dont forget the Live Concert (DVD) & the Concert on CD Audio

This is Value for your money!!!!!

I recommend this to any Story of the Year fan to get this CD/DVD combo

Firstly, I'm not going to mouth off here, so if you're looking for that, please look elsewhere. What I will do is try and tell you what you can find in Live in the Lou/Bassassins and not how "good" or "bad" Story of the Year are and what I "think" of them. While I can count the number of rock shows I've been to on one hand, I have seen Story of the Year live on two occasions, so perhaps I'm at least a passable judge for this release.

While their tremendous energy is a constant, I can't honestly say that I feel as if Live in the Lou is exemplary of their ability to play a live show. Their musical performance in LitL seems to lack a measure of togetherness, does not feel very solid most of the time, and the lead vocals are noticeably out of tune for a decent amount of the show. However, when the playing is tight and the vocals are in tune, it is definitely a lot easier on the ears.

The documentary portion of the DVD will probably provide amusement for elite Story of the Year fans, but while I find myself laughing at a few things here and there (and I consider myself to be a big fan), it tends to bog down somewhat and get silly and...odd (euphemism alert) for me. The extra AOL live sessions included are a welcome addition to the DVD and for me, are actually among the most enjoyable and well done segments on the DVD.

If this is a fan's first exposure to a live SotY show, I'd be willing to give it a 50/50 shot that they'll come away with a smile on their face, but would recommend that they actually see them in the flesh. I'm not so sure about that 50/50 shot if you've seen them before or are accustomed to frequent live performances, but I'd urge you to give it a go and come to your own conclusion. While this isn't the nicest live show I've seen, I do enjoy having a live CD/DVD of Story of the Year. What you make of it is ultimately up to you.

One of the best tour video's that i've ever seen just plain good

If you're a Story of the Year fan but don't get out of the house much to see them live in concert...Live in Lou is the perfect help! This CD rocks and has all the elements of a live concert, more than songs. Aspects like shout outs to their road crew and just a "rootin tootin good time". I definately suggest this to those who are true Story of the Year fans...and those who aren't...get it anyway!

Ok, like it's been said, this is NOT the best live band in the world. The acrobatics they pull out on stage are entertaining, no doubt about it.

HOWEVER, it is a cardinal sin in rock music to PUT DOWN YOUR GUITAR SO YOU CAN DO A BACKHANDSPRING ACROSS STAGE! You are a musician, not an acrobat. If you can do all this stuff while playing or during a break in the song, go for it. Otherwise, play your damned instrument.

Another thing....having a set group of moves to do during a show reeks of choreography...whatever happened to the spontaneous rocking out jumps?

For a five star live dvd/disc, pick up Coheed and Cambria's "Live at the Starland Ballroom". Much better than this, which is average at best.

I just got this cd about a week ago. I love it! Some people just don't appreciate their music because they don't like punk/rock that's all. I love the songs Until the day I Die and Anthem of our Dying Day . I also like #4. It's a great cd so if you like punk/rock music go and get it and it's a great price to compared too Sam Goody or other stores.

I just got this cd about a week ago. I love it! Some people just don't appreciate their music because they don't like punk/rock that's all. I love the songs Until the day I Die and Anthem of our Dying Day . I also like #4. It's a great cd so if you like punk/rock music go and get it and it's a great price to compared too Sam Goody or other stores.

Its pop punk so i didnt think i would like but its pretty good
if you like semi-hard rock and 80's rock like the song
"dont you forget about me" off of "The breakfast club",or if you just like pop-punk with a very little edge you should enjoy this cd.

Well, I first off have to say that this cd is somewhat unique. The beat is awesome, except for like number 9 or 10. Why i gave them a 4 was becuase the thing at the end is just retarded.

This cd is cool. but not great. the song until the day I die is the best pop/punk song ever! That song is so amazing! I mean listen to the beat! it's fantastic! You people who dont agree that's fine. There's plenty of other music cds that are better than this one. But really that song is good enough to get the album. But there are other ways to get the music with out buying it if you know what I mean.

I'm a big collector of singles & imports and was interested to see that there was an acoustic version of "Sidewalks", along with the rare "The Heart Of Polka Is Still Beating" backing the cd single. I've never heard "The Heart Of Polka Is Still Beating", but it is a pretty good track. The acoustic version of "Sidewalks" is nothing to brag about; it's basically the same version on Page Avenue, minus percussion. I wasn't too impressed. But if you can find it cheap and like to collect, then I'd say go for it. Otherwise, it's not really worth the purchase.

This song may only be about ghosts but I love it because it gives u the mystery of what they were thinking when they wrote it..they gave a song in a ghost's point of view of the world and I think its amazing...I love story of the year...

Story of the year is a pretty good band and I have to admit I really enjoyed their debut album tremendously. Their an Alternative Rock sound with some Screamo influences and Punk influences as well. Its pretty good stuff, the melodies are sweet, the sound itself is good all the riffs are memorable and original and very catchy they manage to be catchy, a little heavy (this is obviousley not a Job For A Cowboy album or a Slayer album here ok guys), and of course very melodic. The production is great too I love the sound of the guitars and the drums think it fit perfectly for the band they said they didnt like it and wanted it more like their second album came out but personally I think this one was better. Overall its an awsome CD and just about every song is great and every one is worth a listen deff their best work so far. In The Wake of Determination (Their sophmore album) wasnt as good in my opinion as its predesessor however its still worth a good listen as well.

Are you upset from a relationship that has just ended?? Then check out this "spiffy" album to help you get over it!!

I have been listening to metal/screamo/punk/indie records for sometime now. I have a very wide taste and have heard just about all most of those genres have to offer. SOTY was one of the first bands I ever heard from those mentioned genres. This being the cd I heard. I own both this cd and their sophomore effort "In the Wake of Determination." Both cds have similar sounding songs but PA has so much more rawness and grit to it. The guitars hit hard in both albums, but the vocals are so much more heartfelt in Page Avenue. Dan did what most lead singers do in their second or third cds, go soft. You can only scream they way they do so much before your vocal chords tell you they've had enough. If you ask me, Dan's scream is probably the most clean cut and best sounding out there in this cd compared to others in the genre. Stand out tracks are ofcourse, Until the Day I Die, Anthem of Our Dying Day, and Razorblades. All tracks are decent.

Matt let me borrow it, so I forced myself to listen to the whole album, and it was horrible! Like Kiss!

MATT: HEY! HOW DARE YOU INSULT KISS AND STORY OF THE YEAR?!?!?
WHAT IS WRONG WIT YO BRAIN?????

I have 'In the Wake of Determination' but I think this is a solid album. Every song is performed well and they're all extremely well written. The stand out songs are: 'Until The Day I Die','Anthem of Our Dying Day','Sidewalks',and 'Swallow the Knife'. This is a great punk/hardcore album and Story of the Year is one of the best bands out there.