Story of the Year - The Constant

Author

Andrew Snelling

Published

Wednesday 17th February

Story of the Last 8 Years

US Post-hardcore outfit and long-stayers in the genre, Story of the Year, know how to make a record of catchy punk anthems. They’ve shown this yet again with their 4th Studio album The Constant. This is a record literally bleeding angsty, anthemic riffs and lyrical hooks designed to get your heart racing, however, whether it does this is debatable.
Album opener The Children Sing has quite a literal title with its creepy, yet catchy, child-sung chorus and provides a gradual easing into the record alongside tracks 2 and 3. Not until track 4, To the Burial,does the record really deliver a punch with fast paced growly vocals and gnarly guitar solos which remind this reviewer of Alexisonfire’s latest offering. In fact, the record’s heart and soul seems to lie in it’s faster, punkiersongs, which are sadly few in number and spread distantly throughout.

The slower songs with their big melodic choruses dominate on the record as Story of the Year followtheir tried and tested formula to the letter, perhaps to the band’s detriment this time around. Whilst the record is definitely listenable, chunks of it seem to slip by un-noticed into the abyss, due mainly to a highly polished, studio sheen and a ‘done before’ sound that makes it… boringly unchallenging.
Having said all this, there are some tracks which shine, showing some experimentation and edge. Remember a Time is well placed, smack-bang in the middle of the record, dishing up a power rock ballad chock full of delicious hooks and licks to wake you up.

Overall The Constant is a palatable record, showcasing a band that has earned its stripes in the scene. It’s just a shame that they seem reluctant to use their influence and branch out a bit.