Direction

The Starting Line

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 31, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 31, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000RRUSFS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,125 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Starting Line, formed by Kenny Vasoli along with guitarists Matt Watts, Mike Golla, and drummer Tom Gryskewicz, some eight years ago in the suburbs of Pennsylvania are set to release the most triumphant album of their career on July 31st entitled Direction. For inspiration while writing the songs that became Direction, Vasoli looked to classic artists like Bob Dylan and James Brown. "I know that our album doesn't sound like that," the singer says, "but those guys would write songs that didn't have a whole lot going on, but they still worked really well. I guess that I tried to adopt that mindset while writing these songs. I wanted to give people something that was three or four minutes long, and got to the point." That distinct approach can be heard throughout Direction, whether it's in the wistful power-pop of "I Could Be Wrong", the strutting hard rock on the title track or the infectious first single "Island".

Recorded with Grammy nominated producer Howard Benson, this album is the logical next step in a career that has seen the band on the main stage of Warped Tour, performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, appearing on multiple covers of Alternative Press and had a video that made its way onto MTV. "This new record is definitely something we are all very proud of." says Vasoli. "Just the thought of what could happen with this is making us really excited. We really hope that it can reach all sorts of new people."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Floating off in a new direction..., July 31, 2007

By	Jeremy Bustin (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unlike most people, I wasn't a huge fan of The Starting Line until Based On A True Story. Say It Like You Mean It was a decent album to me but it wasn't a favorite of mine. It had a few alluring and contagious tunes that I would listen to, but I didn't enjoy the whole album. Based On A True Story had a certain maturity and honesty to it that I just flat out enjoyed. The band started heading into a new direction and now they have taken the leap. They bring us Direction, a mature album that is superior to both SILYMI and BOATS. They give us elements of both albums while bringing something new and original to the table. There are several songs that after one listen you will be hooked. This album is contagious and you will want to listen to it again and again. I especially enjoy the ballads on this album.

The album begins heavy with a completely different type of song for the band. The title track was not my favorite at first, but it quickly has grown on me.

Direction - A completely new sound for TSL. This song hits heavy and Kenny Vasoli's vocals roar through the heavy drums and thick guitar lines. The title track is introducing to The Starting Line's fans that the band has changed their sound and no longer are going to write songs for the teenage punk crowd. They are making it known that they are now a mature band writing smart songs. The line "You can go away if you want to leave" shows that they know that they may lose some SILYMI fans and that they just don't care.

21 - This is the first contagious song on the album. You will find yourself randomly singing the hook. The song gets in your head, and that is not a bad thing.

Are You Alone - This song isn't as heavy as Direction but it does hit hard and is a mature and honest song that the band has written.

Island - This is the single that is sure to break new ground for The Starting Line. It has the energy of a song off of SILYMI, but it has a much more original sound. It's more contagious than "Move Along" by the All American Rejects, and you will find yourself hooked after hearing the chorus one time.

Hurry - Normally this is the point where albums start to lose momentum. Hurry only expands off of the energy that has already been heard throughout the first part of the album. I won't be suprised if this is the next single. It is an infectious song with a great hook.

Something Left To Give - This is the breakout song on the album. It is the first ballad on the album. It's introspective and it is sincere. The chorus reminds me a bit of something that the Shins would do. Kenny Vasoli's vocals soar as he sings about the future and expresses his feelings about what he wants out of life.

Birds - This is one of my favorite songs on the album. The guitars drive hard from the get go. Many bands singers go through problems with their voice, and Kenny is expressing what it's like when his voice goes, and how he longs to get his voice back so he can sing... "I've got the words to keep the birds humming"

Way With Words - This song blends both the heavy sounds of Direction and the softer sounds of the album. At times the heavy guitars are interrupted by bells and soft percussion but it kicks back into gear almost immediately.

I Could Be Wrong - The drums hit as hard as the guitars in this song. It starts out slow but then it picks up speed. I absolutely love the chorus as well as the lyrics to the verses in this song. It is a very mature sound for the band, and I am excited to hear more songs like this. If you think you won't like this album...you could be wrong!

Somebody's Gonna Miss Us - This is the song where the band straight up calls out it's OLD fans who are not feeling their new "Direction". Over and over they say they are done writing pop candy songs. "If SILYMI is all you want, then I'm not sure how much in common we've got" My favorite line in the song and probably the entire album is, "Well if you can't relate and refuse to sing along, then maybe I can interest you in some other song...A little something like all that she wants is another baby" They are calling out the haters of the new material and saying that if they want a bubble gum pop album like SILYMI then they need to go somewhere else. This is a fun song and is full of energy.

Need to Love - This is the next ballad on the album. Although, not as slow as Something Left To Give it is clearly a ballad. Vasoli's vocals float through this song with distinct maturity. It does have some very nice instrumentals with the guitars throughout. Towards the end of the song it picks up but I still put it into the ballad category due to the content of the song. This is another standout track on the album.

What You Want - This is the end to what is sure to be one of my favorite albums of 2007. Instead of ending on a soft note, it brings back the energy we heard early on in the album.

As the band has stated over and over in this album, if you simply want a bubble gum pop album then go somewhere else. If you are looking for an honest, open, and introspective album that has depth and still knows how to have a good time, then "Direction" is the album for you. The Starting Line has brought everything they have to the table in this album, and it shines far superior to anything they have done before.

In Layman's terms, go buy the album right now...you won't regret it.

5.0 out of 5 stars What music should be..., December 15, 2008

By	Nicholas Betts (Chardon, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Direction is a wonderful album. Completely honest music made by one of the best lyricists in the business. If you are a fan of Ken Vasoli's voice & lyrics then I insist you check out his main project Person L until the Starting Line comes off of hiatus.

3.0 out of 5 stars They can do much better than this..., July 7, 2008

By	Jacquelyn Bianchini - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone who thinks this is The Starting Line's best work has clearly not heard their older stuff. This album is definitely a step up from Based on a True Story, an album in which the band lost their musical perspective in an effort to progress their sound. That album had a few saving graces, but for them, not at all a great record. This album is a bit more reminiscent of their older work. Tracks such as Island and Direction touch on the dynamic melodies and rhythmic vocals that are classic TSL style. A few others, such as Are You Alone, or 21, or Birds come close, but not quite far enough.

I've been a TSL fan for a long time now. I have no idea where Based on a True Story came from. But this album, in comparison to the last, was a much bigger step in the right direction. It's definitely worth a listen for the price - the tracks all come together to make for an interesting experience.

Here's to hoping their next album beats them all.