Jeremy McKinnon – Vocals

Tom Denney – Guitar

Neil Westfall – Guitar

Joshua Woodard – Bass

Alex Shelnutt – Drums

             A Day to Remember, or ADTR, is a five-piece post-hardcore band from Ocala, Florida. They formed back in 2003 playing many gigs in and around their hometown. They signed with Indianola Records and released their debut album in 2005. They then signed with Victory Records and released their sophomore album in 2007. A little over 2 years they strike again with their third album Homesick. It features 12 tracks, most with very long titles, that are spread over 40 minutes. The album begins with “The Downfall Of Us All” a track that grabs your attention right off the bat. It goes from gang vocals to blistering guitars and aggressive drums to a punk feeling that is all good. This track has Warp Tour written all over it. On “My Life For Hire” they spat off some catchy yet reparative choruses while they declare that “this is a battleground.” “I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?” has a lot of mixed vocals as “NJ Legion Iced Tea” is an upbeat track with pounding drums and catchy vocals. “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End” gives you a more hardcore level of vocals than the other tracks before it. “Have Faith In Me” concludes the first half of the album with what would be considered a slower track to them, but still more upbeat then a lot of other bands. The drum lead track flows extremely well as guitars race around the catchy lyrics. The title track “Homesick” soldiers on with more insane drums and the mixture of vocals styles. “You Already Know What You Are” is a short minute and a half track that is very catchy as “Another Song About the Weekend” has soaring guitars and, gang vocals, and fast drums not to mention lyrics that will stick with you. The album closes with “If It Means A Lot to You” which adds another element to the mix in the form of an acoustic guitar and yet another guest vocalist (Sierra from VersaEmerge), but does not fit at all. After the rest of the album this number just doesn’t matter at all. Overall this is an okay album. It’s one that you could listen to numerous times without it getting old. The drums are fast and furious which makes for great most-pitting, the guitars can soar when called upon, and vocals satisfy almost everyone’s taste. Although this album isn’t going propel the genre into the top spotlight, but A Day To Remember with continue to grow and jet up the ranks.   

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

My favorite tracks:

The Downfall Of Us All, Have Faith In Me,

Track List:

1. The Downfall Of Us All
2. My Life For Hire
3. I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?
4. NJ Legion Iced Tea
5. Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End
6. Have Faith In Me
7. Welcome to the Family
8. Homesick
9. Holdin’ It Down for the Underground
10. You Already Know What You Are
11. Another Song About the Weekend
12. If It Means A Lot to You

Website (s): www.myspace.com/adaytoremember