Customer Reviews

Direction

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Directions is the best TSL album PERIOD. i've listened to them since 2003 and i take directions over any of the others.

I've recently discovered The Starting Line and fell in love with this album...It's nothing like there first album which is more of the traditional pop punk, amazing album but I prefer the more laid back rockish type sound we got here...Not classic but fun. Island is one of my favorite songs ever.

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.

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.

Obviously nothing can compare to "Say it like you mean it," and we all know of the disaster that was "Based on a True Story." "Direction," although not quite there, is definitely a hell of a lot better than "Based on a true story." I think Ken needs to pick a style (as well as his appearance) and go with it....

this is a pretty amazingly sweet album. well i only really like 7 of the 12 songs, but what's interesting about these guys is how they're like the least trendy band in the (emo) pop-punk scene, all they have to get by on is good tunes. the tracks i like are number 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10. Something Left To Give is a good song but something about it bugged me and i realised it kinda plagiarizes Myopic Books by American Music Club from their 2005 album Love Songs For Patriots, unless Kenny doesn't own that album in which case maybe it's just a co-incidence. the other tracks, number 1, 9, 11, and 12, aren't quite good and gave me a mediocre overall impression of the album at first. the chorus of Are You Alone is a highlight of the album. Kenny Vasoli is one of the few songwriters in the current pop-punk/alt-rock scene who seems more concerned with writing substancial tunes than impressing an audience with superficial edgyness, and i guess judging by the fact that after being out for almost a year this album still has less than a quarter of the reviews of it's predecessor (2005's Based On A True Story, which likewise has less than half the reviews of the band's debut) it's fair to say there is less room than ever for a band that just want to play good music without gimmicks. this album gets under your skin with repeated listens. at first i wasn't as into it as i was with BOATS, considered it redundant even, but after listening back to that album i do think this is a step forward.

Island is one of the nicest songs I have heard lately, 21 is also a great song. The band will be taking a break after the tour promoting this album so everybody shoul get in on this album. This band has grown and so has their music.

First of all, I have been watching the starting line on stage since their first stint at the skate and surf festival. Since then, I have followed the band as they have made their way through the maze in which we call the music industry.

With that said, for the first time, I think they have finally found a home in Virgin. I am very happy for them and think that unlike their last album (BOATS), Direction shows that TSL has surpassed the record label drama and through the smoke and ahses, they are still focused on making great, catchy frickin tunes.

"Direction" shows that this band is definitely versatile, while "21" shows what bedroom talk should have sounded like in the first place. "Are You Alone" rocks my socks off as Ken's vocal range stretches so far it rips the seem of my pants. "Hurry" is another gem that showcases how starting line can write a classic, yet awesomely modern rock song. "Island" will blow you away from start to finish, however the chorus is near orgasmic. One of my favorite tracks on this album though is "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us." This just proves to me just how empty I will feel if TSL ever decides to break up. I know I will miss you guys :)

Overall, this album is damn sweet; 5 stars, two thumbs up, 5 mics, and one whiz with. TSL have once again put their heart, soul, balls and sweat into this album and it obviously shows. So even though it is evident that TSL is only getting better, I can rest assured knowing that this album will stay where I can see it until the next album comes out. Until then, stop jocking "Best of Me" and "Say It Like You Mean It." Get over the fact that TSL will not be re-releasing SILYMI. Direction is where it's at right now. Get with the times you cot damn haters.

TLS is getting better and better. There's so much music to explore and thats what they do.

I've never understood the reverie in which the Starting Line is held by some people. I remember a few years ago a friend of mine telling me "Hey man, have you heard the Starting Line yet? They are absolutely amazing." So I went and checked them out. I just couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Their music wasn't terrible or anything. It was just bland, cookie-cutter poppy punky emoish stuff that sounded like a million other bands.

Regardless of my previous views of the band, I picked up 'Direction' on a whim a few weeks back and I am still just bored to death by these guys. The music isn't bad or annoying or anything but it is unbelievably boring. There's not a single hook on this record that sticks in my mind. Maybe there is just something I'm not getting because a lot of people really dig these guys, but for the life of me I just can't figure out what it is.