Name: Rise or Die Trying
Brand: I Surrender Records
SKU: 616963
Availability: OutOfStock

Rise or Die Trying

Rating

Album: Rise or Die Trying
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Take Over, The
2)	Prepare to Be Digitally Manipulated
3)	Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope
4)	Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die
5)	Wrecked 'Em? Damn Near Killed 'Em
6)	Catastrophe
7)	Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Hell
8)	Bada Bing! Wit' a Pipe!
9)	Beatdown in the Key of Happy
10)	If He's Here, Who's Runnin' Hell?
11)	Maniac (R.O.D.)

Album: Rise or Die Trying
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Take Over, The
2)	Prepare to Be Digitally Manipulated
3)	Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope
4)	Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die
5)	Wrecked 'Em? Damn Near Killed 'Em
6)	Catastrophe
7)	Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Hell
8)	Bada Bing! Wit' a Pipe!
9)	Beatdown in the Key of Happy
10)	If He's Here, Who's Runnin' Hell?
11)	Maniac (R.O.D.)

Performer Notes

Personnel: Alan Day , Daniel O'Connor, Dan O'Connor (vocals, guitar); Mat Bruso (vocals); Josh Lyford (synthesizer); Joe Weiss (bass guitar, background vocals); Jackson Massucco (drums); Matt Robnet, Brooks Plummer, Nich Hanterelis (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Nik Tyler.
Recording information: Big Sky Audio, Springfield, PA; Mariano Studios, Philadelphia, PA.
There was a period of time when singsongy punk-pop and emo were two separate styles -- especially when each initially gained popularity in the late '90s. But sometime during the early 21st century, both styles collided together for many new groups -- case in point, Four Year Strong. Hailing from Worcester, MA, this quintet (comprised of two singer/guitarists -- Alan Day and Dan O'Conner -- plus bassist Joe Weiss, synth twiddler Josh Lyford, and drummer Jake Massucco) never met a tuneful melody it didn't like, as evidenced throughout its full-length debut, 2007's Rise or Die Trying. It would be understandable if the band were quickly labeled as "tricky yet sticky-sweet punk-pop" given its affinity for anthemic choruses and abrupt music shifts -- but there are a few surprises lurking around the corner. Cases in point, "Prepare to Be Digitally Manipulated" packs a surprise hardcore left hook midway through, and "Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope" features some subtle Rentals-esque synth maneuvers. It was only a matter of time until punk-pop swerved into other styles, and Four Year Strong's Rise or Die Trying signals this shift. ~ Greg Prato