How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Bouncing Souls | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Epitaph / Ada
• ASIN: B00005J9YX
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,388 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How I Spent The Best 5 Dollars Of My Life, September 26, 2006

By 

Large Marge "Luke" (cali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Audio CD)

Ventura, circa 2004. My first experience with the Souls was an unexpected one after hearing a set of theirs at Warped. The songs they sang sounded breathtaking and uplifting... the kind of songs that make your heart beat faster and get you excited. The first thing I did after witnessing this spectacle was to rush over to their booth and buy a cd. I chose this. Now, a couple years later and having heard everything they have released... this remains the best. It is more polished then anything prior and just plain better than their latest two (which are also great).
The album starts out with a bang with the punk classic "That Song" which is really cool because it is like you are the one they are singing about... putting the needle on the record and playing that song again.
The second song "Private Radio" is one of the best songs to sing along to with its simple yet catchy chorus and great verses... just a great song about music in general.
"True Believers" may be the best song in the Souls catalogue simply because it portrays who they are and gives us something from each member of the band. Amazing drums, guitar and vocals make this an instant classic about friendship.
"Better Life" is one of those songs that gets your emotions ivolved. Not because its sad but because it is SO uplifting. Outstanding song.
"The Something Special" is a slower song that portrays Greg's voice the best out of any song I've heard. It starts out slower than picks up speed resulting in one of those choruses you can't help but scream out.
"Broken Record" is a classic Souls sounding song and another one that shows their love for what they do.
"Lifetime" is a favorite of mine particularly for the instrumentation involved. Check out the bass work especially.
"Manthem"... another classic. Similiar to True Believers this is another song about loving life and being with friends. Previously my favorite song on the album for the longest time.
"Break-Up Song" is one of the best song about relationships I've ever heard... great vocals.
"Streetlight Serenade" is another one that will stick out immediately... another favorite.
"Late Bloomer" Probably the song I listen to least but in no means bad. Still a great song with cool guitar.
"No Comply" is my favorite song... ? maybe. But I love how it sounds like classic Souls with a clean, polished sound. Maybe the punkest song on the album
Lastly "Gone" wraps up this perfect album with a terrific anthem which sounds sad and happy at the same time in a beautiful, emotional punk ride that you will love.
If you are now getting into the Bouncing Souls... you need to start here to see the best of the them. Not new? then you should already have this...
10/10

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars guaranteed to keep you bouncing from start to finish, May 8, 2006

By 

myveryownflag (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Audio CD)

I believe that this is by far the band's best work. The album is full of catchy and upbeat anthems. Yes, anthems. These are songs that you will sing out in your room or chant along with in your car. From beginning to end, this album delivers a surge of positive energy that never lets you down. This cd will lift your spirits as well as your heart rate. Greg's voice carries beautifully, while still staying true to their punk rock sound. The Pete's guitarwork is fairly simple, but holds the songs up, nonetheless. Bryan's bassage is innovative and catchy, and rolls on flawlessly through every track. And Michael's drumming is spot-on and aggressive, and it totally keeps you movin'. One of my favorite things about the Bouncing Souls is their lyrics, which are real and easy to relate to. They sing of good and bad times, old friends and new ones, love lost and love found, and about reconnecting with the things that make you happy. "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" will get you through the day floating on a cloud of pure liveliness and bliss. Who wouldn't love that? It's hard to narrow down my favorites on this album, but they'd have to be "Private Radio", "Lifetime", "Broken Record", "Late Bloomer", and "The Something Special". It's great stuff so go buy it!! And also, if you get the chance to see these guys live, go for it! Their live show is just as promising if not more than this album.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars few things in life are worth the money they cost but..., April 8, 2002

By 

davey (england) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Audio CD)

this album is one of those few.

i'll start with a few reviewers' clichés: i've heard a lot of nouveau punk bands and i have bought very few of their albums but... this one's worth it. not only one of the best punk albums i've heard but one of the best all round albums. at least in my all time top twenty.

there's not one track you'd want to bother getting up to skip past and almost every one sounds like it deserves to be a top ten single. a great voice, great basslines, a very simple and winning formula to the songs. good lyrics! not one line that makes you cringe and some that are well worth remembering: "i'm no good, you're no better, wouldn't we be perfect together?"

one of the reviews said that the down to earth nature of this album renders it somewhat inconsequential. i disagree with this i think it makes it all the more real and emotional and inspirational to a regular person (or anyone else for that matter). even the title 'how i spent my summer vacation' just makes you think of what fantastic things human beings are capable of.

my faourite tracks: true believers, the something special, late bloomer