Customer Reviews

Never Be Taken Alive

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's no secret that the world of mainstream music has been absolutely flooded recently with a series of "pop-punk" acts. Each of these bands come from nowhere, have a few extremely catchy hits, get lost in the waves and waves of their clones, and dissapear just as fast as they arrived. So where does Count The Stars fit in? Right with the rest of them. They have catchy hook after catchy hook and it's nearly impossible to listen to this album through more than once without singing along with most of the choruses.

The difference is that CTS has taken this formula and absolutely perfected every aspect of it. Every song on here could be a huge single on top 40 radio. It's sad that they have gotten such less recognition than some of their peers because they are noticeably more accomplished. However, from here on in for those who do hear this album, this will be the constant by which all other poppunk releases are judged against.

What is most dissapointing about this release is the realization that they could be doing so much more than they are. The closing song "All Good Things" is easily one of the best emotional, beautiful and climatic tracks that's come out in a great while. Comparing this one song to the rest of the album, it's apparent that there is such an untapped brilliance here that hopefully doesn't go unused forever. I'm hoping to hear more of this on their next release.

All in all, if you are looking for a great poppunk cd that can blow away Good Charlotte, The Starting Line, or whoever, here is your candy. If you're looking for something more - check out
"All Good Things", but other than that there's really nothing more to see here.

Don't listen to "nate the emotional retard" 2 reviews below me, Never Be Taken Alive is an AWESOME CD. If you own The Starting Line's "Say It Like You Mean It", then you'll know what I'm talking about when I say it's one of those albums you can listen to constantly w/o ever getting bored. Its basically Emo-punk, kinda like RUFiO, A New Found Glory and Midtown, but the difference in Count The Stars is that the lead singer's pitch is easily noticed. When you hear a "count the stars" song, you know it's by them and no one else. My favorites would have to be "pictures" and "brand new skin", but all the songs are awesome. I mean, if it's good enough for me to sit here and write a review, I know others will like it too. Peace easy my fellow emo-punk brethren...

There are tons of pop punk bands and stale contemporary rock groups around today, and it's hard and frustrating to sift through them all to find one that produces even a decent sound. Count the Stars's latest effort NEVER BE TAKEN ALIVE underlines everything that should be expected from a straightforward rock band. Chris's voice isn't whiny, the staple vocal style of pop punk, nor is it sneering - instead, it is refreshingly original, carrying great hooks and choruses without missing a single note or having to substitute weak notes for full ones. The lead guitar and bass stylings of Tim and Clarke help carry the music the way it should be carried - without trying to do anything fancy, but adding in all the right fills and chops at just the right times. Dave's explosive drumming is slightly reminiscent of Keith Moon, or say if Les Claypool were a drummer. Quirky, unpredictable, dynamic, and driving all at the same time. Put simply, Count the Stars have put together a perfect album - something greatly unprecedented from a sophomore release.
As an added bonus, these guys are excellent live. As wonderful as this album is, I don't believe any album could quite capture the perfection and excitement produced during their live shows. I've seen them 3 times, 2 of which my band played. We're sharing the stage again when they come through on Easter, and we're really excited about it - being spit on by Clarke is something else, tell you what. So next time they come around your area, be sure and drop in on them - it's sure not to be a waste of your time. And with Victory Records backing them up, what more could you ask for?

I'll be honest: I never heard of Count The Stars until March of this year. How did I find out about them? Someone asked one of my co-workers about the stars he has tattood on his hand. When he explained that it because he sang for a group called Count the Stars, I figured, 'what the hell' and took a listen. And I'm glad I did! Chris has a good voice; the music is catchy and the lyrics are a) believable and b) unique (despite what other reviewers will say) in a time when "radio-friendly" (a term Chris used) bands all sound like they came from the same cookie-cutter.

this CD's been playin in my car since the day i got it. i love it! it's a little poppish sounding, cuz theres none of that manic-depressive sound in there, but the lyrics and melodies are good...the band is good live, too, so go see em if u have the chance.

A poppy approach to punk (sort of like Sugarcult, Mest or New Found Glory). Individually the songs are awesome, which is what drew me to the album. The problem that comes is when you listen to the album straight through, all the songs have similar sounds to them. If you listen to songs randomly in a mix or shuffle manner instead of full albums then you will love this album. If you listen to albums all the way through, then it might take you awhile to really adapt to this album.

For anyone who loves Count the Stars: Some of the members, including the lead singer, were previously in a band called Visual Reason which broke up after just one album, "Another Useless Night". Since Count the Stars has also broken up leaving just this one album, I suggest trying Visual Reason.

The album has virtually the same sound and feel as "Never Be Taken Alive". There are several songs worth note, including three Punk Pop rockers: "Just Like You", "Left in July" and "Say Anything". Each of these have really great hooks in the tradition of Punk Pop.

If you like songs on "Never Be Taken Alive", such as "Better off Alone" and "Taking It All Back" I would strongly recommend checking out Visual Reason.

This is an awesome cd for a pretty new band. The songs don't have extremely powerful lyrics or emotion, but the overall sound is great. This cd is soo catchy that u can play it over and over and not get sick of it. Their is great transition of punk grit and guitar to an acoustic song and some pop sound. Brand new skin and Taking it all back are by far my favorite songs and have great guitar solos. I recommend this cd to anyone who likes yellowcard or taking back sunday. Buy this CD!

i kept on hearing buzz about this band from my friends who dont like anything but hardcore, and this band isnt even hardcore so i was interested. then saw them in concert and was completely sold, this cd may not be half as good as they are live but is all the hooks and heart an album can have, this cd rocks!

I went to warped tour and was totally bummed when I found out I missed seeing Count the Stars! I bought their CD before I went on vacation and listened to it all the time.. I went through 4 sets of batteries.. insane.. anyway! I got to meet the guys and man are they sweet and so nice! Sometimes other band memebers are tired and stressed cause they're on tour and they don't say much.. but these guys were so nice! Yea and to the person who said they heard weird sounds on track 8.. I hear it too.. it could be some minor problem.. but the CD still rocks!