Customer Reviews

Living Well Is the Best Revenge

5 star:		(127)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before starting my review, I'd like to say that Midtown is/was my favorite band with their relase of "Save The World, Lose The Girl". I loved their unique sound, the guitar's, melody, everything about that cd. So, with the relase of "Living Well Is The Best Revenge", I was all hyped and excited to buy the cd the day it came out. And, I did just that, and I have to say, I'm a little dissapointed...Maybe it's because I expected too much from it, with the greatness of their first full length. This cd is poppier, somewhat bland (some songs blend together, the most unique track probably being "A Faulty Foundation") and leaves some to be desired. I wouldn't say they sold out, rather they have possibly lost some of their focus, drive, and some of the other things that made the first cd so great (like the guitar lines, and heartfilled lyrics).

Don't get me wrong, if you like the poppier sound, then you'll really like this cd. If you like NFG, Fenix Tx, or any other Drive Thru band, I recommend this cd...it's a good cd, but it doesn't live up to, or surpass their first cd, which deserved 5 stars. So if your new to Midtown, buy "Save the World, Lose the Girl" over this.

I first heard a midtown song when I purchased the Atticus album. On this compilation album it featured the song' Find comfort in yourself'. The moment I heard this song I was hooked!
When I bought the album ' Living well is the best revenge' 6 months ago, I actually had to order it from America as I couldnt find it anywhere in the Uk which I was very dissapointed with.
Well I have to say since I purchased the CD it has remained in my cd player constantly. There isnt a song on there that I dont like! The album offers you songs for the different moods your in. I especially like ' Get it together ' ' still trying' and ' in the songs'
With gentle melodic songs like ' perfect '. to the fast pace guitar frantic ' Faulty foundation '.
The album offers all the qualitys you want from a good quality CD.
I have many albums including the 2 most recent New found glory albums, Blink 182, Sugarcult, simple plan, jimmy eat world and many more.
But not one of these albums is as good as Midtowns! I quite simply love it.

If you love the punk / rock scene, then I urge you to buy this cd. Trust me you will not be dissapointed.

I would also recommend going to see them live if possible. I went in october to Manchester Academy, and it was amazing. I sung my heart out, and ended up with a soar throat the next day. They truly are a quality live band, and im desperetly awaiting their return to UK.

Buy this album and recommend it to all your friends!

Despite their lack of on-air time, I really like their sound. It is the best of their three CDs, with Save the World next and Forget what you know in a definite last place. Also check out Autopilot Off if you like Midtown.

Ah, Midtown. How I missed thee. I've been a fan of this band since "back in the day," before they got signed to Drive-thru or anything. We used to exchange emails all the time, and they even linked to my old band on their webpage [and vice versa]. Those guys even kept the link up even after they hit it big, touring with Blink 182 and the Warped Tour. They are by far the nicest guys in rock that I've ever met; and it definitely shows in their music. That can be a good and a bad thing.

On one hand, the music contained on this, Midtown's second proper full-length and major label debut, is easy to swallow, and unlike some bands, leaves no bitter aftertaste. This band is sincere in every note they strum and every harmony they sing, no matter how many times Pro Tools was used. On the other hand, the album doesn't have much of an edge to it. If you're looking for agressive, in your face punk rock, move on. This is music that your little sister could get into. This is music that your parents wouldn't mind letting you put in the car stereo on a long trip. Most importantly, this is the music of Midtown.

It's obvious that Midtown are just all-around nice guys - first off, their last album was called "Save The World, Lose The Girl." If you look at the lyrics, you'll understand my point even further. Sure, the majority of songs are about girls [what pop-punk band's songs aren't?], but whereas some bands abuse their lost loves in song [see: Alkaline Trio, Dashboard Confessional... well, most of Vagrant Records], Midtown's lyrics represent that well-meaning but socially-inadequate kid at the high school dance, trying to win over the prom queen. Trust me guys, we're all pulling for you [although with their pretty boy looks, I doubt they need any help scoring gash].

Musically, if you liked the band's older material, this is right up your alley. The album kicks off with a triumverate of rock, with "Become What You Hate," "Still Trying," and "Get It Together" packed to the brim with big hooks, lush harmonies, and enough "Yeah!"s to sink a ship. The band lays out their card right away on this album: their goal is to rock you.

The album continues on with the presumed first single, "Like A Movie." It's a bit more dumbed down than most Midtown material, it's more pop-punk than the band usually is, but hey, whatever breaks the radio market, right? It's still a good, hummable song. The album then slips into a bit of a rut for the next 4 songs, ending up sounding like background music for the next teen sex comedy. Nothing too memorable sticks out until track 9, "A Faulty Foundation" rolls around. This is the hardest and fastest song on the album, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite Midtown tunes overall. It's a classic story of love lost ["What if this had not happened, woah-oh / What if she hadn't gone"] that only Midtown can tell. The album continues to finish off on a bang with "In The Songs" and "Find Comfort In Yourself." The former is a shoutout of sorts to all their friends back in New Jersey for supporting them through the years [aren't odes to fans done only by boy bands? Oh well.], and the latter is another uptempo emotional punk number that has guest vocals from Vinnie of the Movielife. It's a great album closer, and another definite standout.

The production on this album is crystal clear, and it will come to no surprise that Mark Trombino produced this album. He makes the band sound as loud as possible but he still leaves space for the band to grow, which they definitely will. Midtown's major label debut isn't perfect, but it's as good as the band can get right now. I won't mind hearing this on the radio next to Jimmy Eat World, the Strokes and Dashboard Confessional - at least it's not Puddle of Mudd or Hoobastank. If this were any other band, I would give this a lower score, but because I know this is Midtown, I know that this is as sincere and as honest as the band can get.

When Midtown released "Save the World, Lose The Girl", I thought it was a really good cd. Now, with the release of their second LP, "Living Well Is The Best Revenge", I can honestly say they have topped their first cd. If you thought Midtown had depth in their songs in their first cd, wait till you hear this one. Almost all the tracks are catchy, as deep as an ocean, and very replayable. I can listen to these tracks over and over and over, unlike on their first one in which I can only listen to them so many times. This cd also seems to have a lot of more anger in it than the last one. I think this must have come from the tension between Midtown and their record label, Drive Thru Records. Never the less, if you buy one pop/punk cd this year, you have to make it this one. Midtown have really gone all out with this one, and it really shows.

1. Become What You Hate - A good track, one of the anger filled ones. Its good, but not my choice for the single. 2. Still Trying - Another good one, very much like their older stuff. 3. Get It Together - This track has been on a few comps., but they re recorded it. Its really overproduced, but its a good song. 4. Like A Movie - This song gets to me, its catchy as heck, but its way too poppy, even for Midtown. 5. There's No Going Back - Here's where the album starts to get really good. This is a really good track, but not the best the cd has. 6. Perfect - The first ballad track, reminicent of "no place feels like home" from their first one. Its a good one. 7. You Should Know - again, another b-side that was rerecorded, overproduced, but its not bad. 8. One Last Time - wow, Midtown really go all out with this one. Easily one of the best on the disc. Its a rocking ballad that really sounds awesome. 9. A Faulty Foundation - Another re-recorded b-side, again its overproduced, this one is probably my least favorite on the disc, I never really cared for it even in its original cut. 10. In The Songs - This song is probably my favorite one. Its a rocking, feel good track about never giving up. Awesome. 11. Find Comfort In Yourself - This one ends the cd on a bang, its fast, its catchy, and its really awesome. A very big change from their ending track on their first one.

So, in all, Midtown's second cd is an awesome one. Be sure to pick it up.

I first heard Midtown on "Save The World, Lose The Girl" (their previous CD). I liked it. I thought it had some very good songs on it, but I also thought it had some bad songs on it. I think that their last CD was, more or less, an emo CD. A lot of whiny vocals is what annoyed me about the last CD. I don't feel this album has the whininess that "S.T.W.,L.T.G." had. I was very pleased to hear that their sound had been developed and cleaned up for this release. Some of the songs on this CD are slightly harder than their previous whiny emoey stuff... yet this CD does retain much of the emotional lyrics.
My favorities are "Perfect" (track 6) and "Find Comfort In Yourself" (track 11)

I can't give this CD 5 stars cuz its not really the best I've ever heard. I reserve a 5 star rating for CDs that I feel are truly wonderful. I'd prefer to give this CD a 4.25... it deserves a lil better than just a 4 star rating.

Now... I warn you....
I love (newer)Blink 182, Minor Threat, Operation Ivy, and Bad Religion. These three bands are very diverse in their stylings but they are all "punk rock" or "hardcore" of some kind. I would have to say that this Midtown album compares best with recent Blink 182... but without the humor and dirty jokes. If you don't like that, then I don't recommend it.

Midtown puts out another powerful pop/punk/emo cd. The one problem with the cd is that almost every song has the same 4-chord rythm. Although it lacks the originality and diversity of "Save the World, Lose the Girl," its still a great cd. The opening song "becoming what you hate" it a great opener, much like "Just rock n' roll." They also have a pop song much like "let go" called "Like a Movie." What they don't have is a slow emo song like "No place feels like Home" (the closest they get is their 3/4 ballad). they also dont have a powerful track that comes close to "Come on." Even though it lacks compared to their first album, i would highly recommend any fan of pop punk/emo to pick this cd up, you wont be dissapointed.

This album will forever be tucked in with some of my all time classic rock/punk/alternative discs. And I know this does not compare to my lifelong favorite "Let it Bleed" by the Stones, but it is catchy, full of guitar, melody, and harmonies. Songs 1-10 are all very good, the first five tracks are great, reminiscent of MXPX and The Movielife mixed together. These songs are ones that I have lived in. I can put in this disc and rock out, or just drift away, and each one reminds me of times in my life that are precious to me. This CD is WAY better than their 2004 release "Forget What You Know." If you are hungry for some power pop/punk rock, this will satisfy your appetite for months!

As a Jersey boy, I've known Midtown since the days when there were still shows going on at the Wayne Firehouse. And I couldn't be happier today, because this CD is amongst the best pop-punk has to offer. They are in the same class as bands such as Rufio and Autopilot Off.

Well, enough background. About this CD, its quite simply a straight forward rock-pop-punk CD. The guitar leads are nice and punchy without being overly flashy. The CD has a great pop sensibility while retaining and edgy rock feel. The songs are very well written, very catchy, makes you want to sing along and jump around at the same time.

Every song on here is pretty awesome, but these are the best of the best

"Become What You Hate"

"Still Trying"

"Get It Together"

"Like A Movie"

"Perfect"

"One Last Time"

Just an awesome CD....if you're a fan of (good)pop-punk, go get it.

I really truly feel that this album is the most perfect pop punk album I've ever heard. This stands to me, as the dictionary definition of what pop punk is. This album also has quite possibly the best production I have ever heard. Everything is so carefully orchestrated, clean and crisp. All of the leads so clear that they just cut through the rest of the sound, and the 3 vocalists make constant use of their ability to harmonize. There is of course the characteristic `punkier than the rest' song, as well as the ballad like `slow song'. There isn't even a song that could be called average, everything is great, catchy, and easy to sing along with. After Midtown's first release, "Save the World, Lose the Girl", this album came out to be exactly as I hoped it would be; a statement to the potential they displayed, but could not quite attain initially. This album is well worth the purchase, and I recommend it highly. 9/10

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