Customer Reviews

Save the World Lose the Girl

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got a CD sampler with two songs by Midtown and A New Found Glory at a Saves The Day show a while back. Both bands were awesome, so when I found out they were playing together, I had to go to the show. I cannot believe how incredibly powerful, energetic and heart-felt both bands are. I've never been so blown away at a show before in my life! I bought the Midtown CD a the show, and I was equally impressed. It was produced by the same guy who did Jimmy Eat World, Blink and The Hippos--all amazing sounding records. Anyway, I'm excited to have discovered a new band that rocks beyond belief and has something relevant and thought-provoking to say. I almost died when I heard the three singers singing together at the end of "Come On." If you like JIMMY EAT WORLD, THE ATARIS, SAVES THE DAY, LAGWAGON and A NEW FOUND GLORY you will flip over this record. Every single song is great. Midtown rule!

So first off I should say that I haven't been into too much emo type stuff, that is, until I heard this band played on Rutgers Radio. I was kind of taking a chance when I bought the CD since I'd only heard one song, not to mention that I knew nothing about this type of music. (I listen to too many different kinds of music to list here, but the closest I ever came would be 3rd wave ska...) Well when I popped in the cd not only was I blown away but I continued to be blown away for the duration of the entire CD. Every song is a ten, no, an eleven. It's been quite a long time since I've heard any CD so satisfying. It's great to hear music with the energy of punk, the sincerity of emo, with 3 great vocalists and tight musicianship. My faves are Come On, direction, and no place feels like home, but any track is great. In fact, whenever I put on the disc, I absolutely have to play it all the way thru... I've got a few other emo-ish albums since getting this one, but none of them are anywhere as good.

Midtown must be one of the best bands in the genre. They offer a seemingly unlimited number of catchy guitar riffs and lyrics, and with two very good vocalists that trade off songs, they are able to keep your attention through an entire album - something that many punk bands seem unable to do.

Of their two full length albums (this one and "Living Well is the Best Revenge"), this one seems a bit more bitter in lyrical content, but both offer a fantastic catchy punk experience. Musically this band brings back something that poppy punk doesn't see often: guitar riff-laden intros and prechoruses that I think really add to punk music. Sometimes they stand alone, and sometimes they mimic the lyrics that might normally go at that point in the song, but either way they show a more variable use of the instrument than a lot of groups, and it will be the thing that is in your head hours after you hear the song. This is the same thing that a pop punk fan might like about albums such as New Found Glory's self-titled, and if you are anywhere near a fan of that group, then you cannot go wrong with Midtown.

All in all, Midtown is a musically fantastic, emotionally catchy group that deserves a listen if you consider yourself a fan of punk, especially the new wave of pop punk.

It all started when a friend of mine asked me to download "Just Rock and Roll". Back then I had a terrible dial-up connection, so the song had to be damned worth the twenty minutes I would take in downloading it. I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't amazed either. It sounded like another punk-rock song from another bunch of angry snooty kids.

And then, on June 2nd, 2002, I went to the Düsseldorf performance of the Deconstruction Tour, where bands like Lagwagon, Lostprophets and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones rocked a crowd of a thousand screaming Germans. Midtown was the third performer after Flogging Molly and the Turbo AC's (for the full concert review, click here). This concert motivated me into buying Save the World, Lose the Girl, the band's major-label debut.

With a sound comparable to New Found Glory, these guys foment power through their punk-driven speed, but stay close to the themes and issues beneath. But more importantly, however, is the way in which the songs are crafted. In many of the songs, the band steers away from the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus structure that seems to plague the punk-rock scene. Instead, the variation of rhythms provides for very original material. Songs like "Direction" and "Such a Person" are almost a progressive representation of a punk song, with the song changing direction at every turn.

Similar to Guster and Nine Days, Midtown does not limit itself to one vocalist. Singer/bassist Gabe Saporta has that focused and unbreakable voice that screams high-school jock while the band's singer/guitarist has the sensitive voice for softer pieces like "No Place Feels Like Home" (which is more of a pop song than a punk song). Honestly, I'm not even sure that they are different people. For all I know, it's just Saporta changing his intonation, which honestly, would be even more impressive.

But yes, Midtown equals punk rock plus talented musicians. There's no doubting this. They're definitely up there amongst my favorite bands in the genre. So if bands like Saves the Day and New Found Glory pull your strings, then picking this album up is a definite affirmative.

Recommendations: "Just Rock and Roll", "Direction", "No Place Feels Like Home", "Such a Person", "Knew it All Along"

This CD is incredible. The way that the vocals blend in with the rest is amazing... they have discovered a new sound and it is wonderful.

The sound alone it great, and the lyrics just make it so much better. There is so much meaning in their songs... I also like how the incorporate the same lyrical message into various songs. They have developed a new style in music...and I love it!

The variety of this CD is amazing too. You can listen to it all the way through without getting tired of it. Stand outs include "Just Rock and Roll," "Recluse," "Let Go," "No Where Feels Like Home," and "Come on." I love all the songs on this CD though (except "Another Boy" I just sort of like that one... its not that great.)

This band (along with several others) will probably never get the recognition they deserve. CD's like "Save the World, Lose the Girl," "Nothing Gold Can Stay," and "This Vicious Cycle" will have 12 great songs and never make the radio.

If you like Rock and Roll, punk, pop punk, or pretty much any type of music. You will love this CD.

Midtown has displayed much potential in this CD. I prefer their second cd LIVING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE, over this one though.
Midtown fullfils their awesome potential with their second cd. This cd is great though. Especially the upbeat Let Go, the emotional No Place Feels Like Home, and the all-around mastered Frayed Ends. Here's a song by song review.

1) Just Rock n' Roll- Great song. Makes you want to jump around the room. Couldn't quite give it a five though. 4.5/5
2) Direction- it's a lot like just Rock n' Roll. Very Upbeat. A good chorus. 5/5
3) Recluse- This song experiences is good parts. Doesn't have much rythym, though. 3/5
4) Another boy- this song let me down. I'ts only 45 seconds long. I see why they stopped at 45 seconds. 1.5/5
5) Let Go- the best song on the CD. Very upbeat. Makes you want to sing along. Great chorus. 6/5
6) No Place feels Like Home- Midtown lightens up a little and it's great! 5/5
7) Such a Person- Not a bad song; kinda reminds me of Direction. Great powerful chorus. 4/5
8) We Bring us down- Not good. No Rythym. 2/5
9) Knew it all Along- Lightens up some. A strong chorus though. I Like it. 4.5/5
10)Come On- Another good song. 4/5
11)Resting Sound- a good song. pretty upbeat. 4/5
12) Frayed Ends- second best song on the cd. Lyricly the best song on the cd. Only two minutes long though. 5/5

Overall a great CD. I couldn't give it a five because of the few letdowns on this cd. If You like Midtown you should also check out other great bands like Sugarcult, Simple Plan, Not By Choice, Reel Big Fish, the Hippos, and MEST. Check those bands out. You'll love them.

Save the world, lose the girl is a very good CD. My friend recommend I listen to the band because I'm into bands like NFG, Blink, and Saves the day....He told me if I gave this CD a chance, it wouldn't disappoint me, and it hasn't. I listen to this CD constantly, some of my favorite tracks are "Come on" and "No place feels like home". but every track on this album is a winner. No filler songs. I recommend this CD to anyone that's into the Pop Punk/Emo scene, yet this CD is more hard riffs on the guitar, to me this CD is a spice up of old Saves the Day, though a little harder. Regardless I give this CD 5 stars

I first heard Midtown on a sampler CD i got at a Blink182 concert over the summer. It had the song "Just Rock 'N Roll" on it, and I instantly fell in love with them. I ran right out & picked up this CD and it's had enormous effects on me. I've rarely heard the passion that Gabe & the other Midtown boys sing with. The songs are really diverse, but each has a special touch to it so you'll never confuse them with any other band. I also had the pleasure of seeing them live a few days ago, and must I say, their act was explosive. They had so much energy, everyone was freaking out. I also met Gabe & Heath, and they are extremely personable and grateful for their fans, as I would expect the other members of the bands to be.

The first punk cd I ever bought was Fenix TX*'s self titled debut and I have been listening to bands like them, New Found Glory, Blink 182, The Ataris, Nerf Herder, & The Vandals. But Midtown is one of the most talented and unique pop-punk/emo bands out there. When I first bought STWLTG, the first track I listened to was Just Rock n Roll and I just sat there and listened and hoped that the rest of the cd was just as good, and It it turned out to be true. So my suggestion is, If you plan on buying this cd, listen to the Amazon sample for Just Rock n Roll and if you like it, chances are you'll *LOVE* the rest of the cd.

I have really no clue how to go into this review. It's a perfectly acceptable album. No glaring errors or anything. Not bad lyrics or anything. I don't know. Maybe I'm becoming used to the same topics covered in all the albums I listen to. With bands like The Ataris and New Found Glory and Fenix* TX that I am accustomed to listening too everything seems old hat, but here I go.

This is a wonderful album. Has a good enough mix of oppy stuff and innovation to come cross as a bunch of truly talented individuals. AS I said in my NFG review that their album was a showing off of the producer, not the band. Well here it's different. They sound a bit similar yet "Save the world..." seems like the band took control and the produce was supplemental(as the job should be). I like it and it bodes well for the band if they keep it that way. Now to the nitty gritty.

The lyrics are prett simple affairs. Good clean cut stuff about chicks and rock'n'roll. Nothing to complain with. Saying that their a bit simplistic seems not too smart of a choice considering this album has the feel that everything had a purpose. Midtown and New Found Glory are friends and labelmates ye their nothing alike. To me, NFG has a certain dichotomy about them.

Ok, sonically this album surprised m. Same good guitar riffs as everything else in this damn corporate world, but the vocals... My god the vocals scream ingenuity and cleverness. The vocals sold this album for me. I like this trend where every guy in the band gets a chance to rap on the mike, Sum41 does it to great effect and so does Midtown. Bottom line on this album is buy it. Buy it because this band deserves to make it big. I hate the radio,but having these guys on it couldn't be bad. Champions of good music they are. The acoustic stuff rocks too.