Customer Reviews

Leaving Through the Window

5 star:		(176)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Leaving Through The Window is possibly one of the best releases of the past 5 years. Think Ben Folds Five only more punk rock, and the piano as part of the group instead of center stage. This album has something for everyone, anyone can relate to at least 1 song. Whether its "Cavenaugh Park" where Andrew sings about his childhood days or "If You C Jordan" which describes a bully that just wont quit, you'll be having tons of fun with his CD. The songs are extremely catchy and incredibly well written. After a few listens you'll be hooked. Here's a quick rundown

1.) I Want To Save You - 6/10 Great verse, the chorus is so-so but a good opening track overall
2.) Punk Rock Princess 8/10 The lyrics are average but this song is rockin the whole way through
3.) Woke Up In A Car 10/10 Great track! Almost everyone has woken up in a car at some point. Very catchy.
4.) If You C Jordan 10/10 Funny lyrics sung angry. One of the heavier tracks.
5.) The Astronaut 7/10 Takes some getting used to but this one really grows on you. Great Chorus.
6.) Hurricane 9/10 The all piano bridge is awesome.
7.) Cavenaugh Park 10/10 One of the only ballads on the album but extremely well written. This one will definitly bring back memories. The verse builds up to a breathtaking chorus.
8.) Fall 10/10 Heavy broken guitar over meaningful lyrics. An outstanding song
9.) Straw Dog 10/10 The best chorus on the album
10.) Good News 3/10 One of the albums only weak points. The flow doesn't fit well with the lyrics.
11.) Drunk Girl 8/10 You'll find yourself remembering all those parties you went to. Great song.
12.) Not What It Seems 10/10 Kinda dark themed verse building to a majestic chorus.
13.) You're Gone 5/10 kind of the stereotypical I want you back song. Still pretty decent
14.) Globes and Maps 3/10 Hate to say it but not the best way to close out the album. Kinda boring ballad.

Something Corporate's name is obviously an ironic reference to the type of music they play- radio rock. However, they have a few things that set them apart- one being Andrew's piano, the other being that they seem to know exactly what they are doing. "Leaving Through the Window" is an album full of huge, memorable choruses and good music. Each song seems to have the makings of a hit single, and their blend of piano, pop, and Drive-Thru style punk is definitely ready to be unleashed on the masses.

This album features 3 songs from their demo CD recorded before they had a record label (I am lucky enough to have a copy). These three songs- "Cavanaugh Park," "Straw Dog," and "Drunk Girl" are my favorite songs on the album. They feature more piano than most of the album, and "Cavanaugh Park" shows you exactly what they are capable of.

The new material on the album seems to feature less piano than their demo CD did, having more of a power pop sound. "I Woke Up In A Car" shows this style perfectly, and I predict this is the song that will make Something Corporate platinum-selling rock stars.

Buy this album now, so you can say you'd heard of them before they were hugely popular. Its definitely an enjoyable pop album, full of the kind of choruses that you have stuck in your head before the song even ends.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars. This is high end radio rock... and maybe if more radio rock were like this I'd listen to it now and then.

It's not very often when an album of this quality comes along. It's even less likely that a lot of people will own it, which is a shame.

I became addicted to Something Corporate when I heard the song "I Woke Up In A Car" on the radio. The radio station only had it in rotation for about a month, but that one song was more than enough incentive for me to pick up the CD. I've bought or come into possession of about 100 or so cd's in the year of 2002, and I can easily say that Something Corporate's CD is in my Top Ten. I knew that I loved "I Woke Up in a Car" but I was shocked at the overall genius of all the songs on this effort.

I love the opening track, I Want to Save You, for its awesome lyrics and the following track, Punk Rock Princess, just for it being a fun pop song. Obviously,I Woke Up in a Car is the best of all the cuts and if you haven't heard it, you're doing yourself a great disservice. In my opinion, however, Something Corporate does trip up on "If You C Jordan", which doesn't seem to fit the rest of the album, it almost seems like its thrown on there in attempts to get some radio play. Not a bad song by any means, but my least favorite.

Thankfully Something Corporate returns to form on the captivating "Astronaut" and catchy "Hurricane." Next up is "Cavanaugh Park," one of the two straight-up ballads on the album and it meshes perfectly with rest of the collection. Outside of "I Woke Up in a Car," track number eight, "Fall" is my other favorite on the album. Its lyrics are just so real, it has great muscianship, and is just a joy to listen to. Straw Dog and Good News, the next two cuts, seem to mesh together as they have a very similar but good choruses.

The final four songs on Something Corporate's "Leaving Through the Window" are just as good as the rest. "Drunk Girl" in the most unique song on the album lyrically, and is fun to listen to every time I play it. "Not What It Seems" is another lyrically creative song and the music compliments that perfectly. "You're Gone" is a by-the-numbers I've-lost-my-love song, but is rescued by strong verses and yet another memorable chorus. Finally, the album closer, Globes and Maps, is a perfect showcase for the bands strong points of good lyrics, music, and melody.

Leaving Through The Window by Something Corporate is one of the best pop-punk-piano-rock albums ever. If you even just have an inkling to picking this record up, I would implore you to do so. Outstanding in every regard.

When I first saw this band it was at Warped Tour 2002. I heard the first single "If u c Jordan" and was immediately attracted to the band. But later after I bought the CD "If u c Jordan" became my least favorite on the CD. This CD is amazing. I just recently saw them in concert 2 days ago and these guys are even more amazing live.
The CD starts off with "I want to Save you" which not only comes off with beautiful harmonies but a really cool message. Other songs such as "Punk Rock Princess" and "Astronaut" give a up beat element to the cd.
The 2 definite standout tracks are "Hurricane" and "Cavanaugh Park". There is a piano riff in "Hurricane" that will make you want to continue listening to the song on repeat. "Cavanaugh Park" is a very reminicent and nostalgic track that lead singer Andrew McMahon penned with his piano in 25 minutes. If you like this band I also recommend downloading the song "Konstantine" by them. It's amazing and the way he plays the piano is soothing.
If you haven't seen this band live I strongly suggest it, and even if ya don't Andrew jumping and prancing on his piano should be entertaining enough.

Okay so I actually listened to North before leaving through the window. I actually bought North on a whim having NO clue who these guys were. And I will say that I was really impressed. I listened to it forever and I still do. So I decided that I would venture with earlier stuff from them and I came across this record. I do have to say that when I forst heard it I wasnt all that excited but i really grew on me. Now I love it and it actually may be better than North if i really think about it. It is fresh with the exception of If U C Jordan which just sounds like any other pop punk song out there. The songwriting is classic and musically liberating, with a few exceptions of some instances where it sounds like a Wurlitzer is being played for some reason when it shouldnt have been but I digress. These guys amaze me becasue you would think that they are just young fresh faced kids, but these guys can actually write good songs, and they arent pre packaged or overly produced with slick industry guns in the recording booth. Most of all it comes from the heart and you can tell by the sound that they enjoy what they are doing.

I looked at the one-star reviews, and that's what made me decide to write one. People who say that everything that isn't punk sucks have no idea what they're talking about. Every single person who gave this a horrible review said something along the lines of...if you want real punk, get some NOFX or Minor Threat. I love NOFX and Minor Threat, but Something Corporate doesn't claim to be punk, so there's no reason to say...they aren't punk, so don't buy their CD. Some people listen to more than one genre.

That aside, Something Corporate is the most mellow band I listen to. When I'm around people who hate all of my music (Bad Religion, NOFX, Minor Threat), I pop out my Something Corporate CD. The sound appeals to almost everyone who isn't totally locked into a genre (hardcore or rap fans wouldn't like it). That's one of the biggest detriments of the band; I hate mainstream. Anyway, as for the music, it's somewhere along the lines of radio-friendly emo (as I may have said, a sound I usually hate), but Something Corporate does it very well. I love how they incorporate the piano into their music. The first four songs lack piano and can get you hooked, but after that, when they add the piano, is when they really get good. The best songs on the CD are probably "Straw Dog" and "Hurricane." They go from angry (but not the fast punky kind of angry) in "If You See Jordan" to very slow and depressing in "Cavanaugh Park" but do both relatively well. The best moment of the CD is in "Hurricane" when they drop down to just the piano and the drums. I feel "Hurricane" is teh best representation of the mean sound of the CD, so listen to that to get a feel for it.

In conclusion, I recommend this CD to basically everyone who likes emo, pop, pop-punk, or don't have a problem with mainstream music. And me. I like it too.

Warning: Something Corporate is my favorite band. Gushing WILL ensue.

1. I Want To Save You
Brilllliant. If you love this song head over to www.soco-online.net to listen to a bootleg of it being sung acoustic. I want Andrew to save me too, plzkthx.
2. Punk Rock Princess
I love this song, but it was MUCH better as a ballad. (Originally called "Heroine"). If you can find the sort of ghetto version of Heroine that floats around the internet. But it's pretty both ways.
3. I Woke Up In A Car
- if this isn't the third song, don't sue me. I'm doing this from memory here.
I love this song. I have a hot icon of him bopping to it. I know, you all want to see.
4. If U C Jordan
- not really into this song. Usually skip it unless I'm not near the stereo.
5. The Astronaut
This song tends to get overlooked but I think it's really pretty.
"I've been watching stars, coming off of the wall, maybe if I'm lucky I could catch them before you fall."
6. Hurricane
I love the intro to this song. And I love the song. Can't help but sing along.
7. Cavanaugh Park
Very pretty, piano song. The melody bears a slight resemblance to "Konstantine" in random parts. The only thing that bugs me is it's a metaphor. Andrew did not really go to Cavanaugh Park and get high, or go there with his dad. *sighs*
8. Fall
I love this song. Very loud, rawr-y. Don't ask me what I mean by that.
9. Straw Dog
Can any of you guys actually identify what a Straw Dog actually IS? Hmm. I didn't think so. I love the writing. Beautiful start up lyrics. I believe Andrew was likening teenagers to the straw dogs (forget what country they're from) and how they are so important but then they just get rejected or forgetten or whatever. Sorry if that's wrong.
10. Good News
Kinda of slow and mellow but rocky, still. It's pretty.
"She looked at me to scream, my castles are falling, and I can't look into the street, without, everything changing."
11. Drunk Girl
This song amuses me. Especially when Andrew forgets the lyrics to it. *sighs*
12. Not What It Seems
Going North a bit. I love singing along to this one. It's lovely.
13. You're Gone
I LOVE this song. I always sing along. It's lyrically beautiful. "It's hard to wave goodbye from aeroplanes, when I just don't think that you can see. I taper off, and say "it's never worth the pain." ...sometimes it is."
Ahhhh Andrew is so lovely.
14. Globes and Maps
Easily the saddest and most wrenching on the CD. His voice sounds a bit strained in some parts but that's okay. ♥!

I know every word to every single one of these songs. I have had this CD for a year + and have listened to it probably more than any other CD I own, except for North. Someone actually spilled tea on the original copy I owned, making "I want to save you" skip so I had to go out and buy another one, but I didn't care.
I was at HMV today and I hugged this CD.

I'm not mentally challenged. I just love Something Corporate.

This is an awesome cd! Why aren't these guys at the top of the Billboards? Fun, fresh, and enjoyable for all, Something Corporate is my favorite band to listen to, no matter what mood I am in. Here are some of my favorite songs and why I like them:
1. I Want To Save You- This song has a great beginning and end and a catchy chorus. The words are easy to remember and the meoldy stays with you for days. This is one of my favorite songs on the cd.
2. Punk Rock Princess- A little monotonous at the beginning and the end,this song makes up for it with the chorus. It is original and fun to listen to.
5. The Astronaut- Slower and more serious sounding than the other songs on this cd, this song is still one of my favorites because it is more mellow and laid back and easier to listen to than songs like "I Want to Save You" and "Hurricane".
6. Hurricane- MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE CD!!!! This song definitely
grew on me. I've gotten to where I can't get this song out of my head...but thats a good thing. It is solid and catchy from beginning to end and never gets old.

These are, in my opinion, the best songs on this cd. However, they are all great and I strongly encourage everyone to give this great band a chance.

I saw Something Corporate on the warped tour and didn't really get that into them because I was waiting for New Found to play. I bought the CD anyway because Andrew playing a piano on stage was just too amusing to see at the Warped Tour. Needless to say, this CD is by far one of the best 5 CDs of the year. Nobody, not even Jimmy does emo-punk this well. Songs like "Punk Rock Princess" rock you like punk songs typically should, while songs like "Cavanaugh Park" make you feel as though you were there with lead singer Andrew McMahon remembering the days of your youth. Somewhere in the middle of the piano ballads and punk songs lie tracks like "Hurricane" which completely shatter how good songs can be. I honestly could not erase the smile from my face after the first time I heard "Hurricane." After listening to all the other tracks on the album, every other song does the same thing. This album is happy, cleverly written, and played with stunning musicality and inspiration.

Something Corporate is my new favorite band. I haven't heard an album this amazing in years if ever. Piano and punk go together better than bagpipes and Korn, and combo that I thought could never be defeated...

Something Corporate have shown much promise with their demo cd "Ready...Break" and followed up on that strong start with their debut EP "Audioboxer". With their debut full-length LP, Something Corporate has finally realized the potential that they have shown in the past.

On "Leaving Through the Window", SC shows an amazing ability to balance out the sounds of the piano and guitars perfectly. Some songs are obviously more piano-influenced, while others you may not even notice it so much. Lead singer Andrew McMahon has stated that one of his greatest influences is actually Elton John, and while this may be somewhat surprising, you can hear this in the music.

There is not much to dislike about this album. There is plenty of variety in the songs, and the production and instrumentation are top-notch. The song writing, handled mostly by Andrew but also by other members of the band as well, is excellent in most places. There are a few downsides of course, but nothing is perfect. The potential of this band's popularity seems endless. This is one of those bands that you can just tell are going to "make it". Even though they are relative unknowns as of right now, I'm almost sure that it's only a matter of time before everyone hears them.

So overall, I highly recommend this disc to anyone who enjoys good music. There is something on this album for everyone, and I strongly suggest you get into them so you can say you knew them before they were popular. After listening to this, also pick up the Audioboxer EP as well. You will not be disappointed.