Catalyst

by

New Found Glory

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*Note: I give this 3.5 stars

I've been listening to New Found Glory for awhile now and to me, it seems after the selftitled, their sounds has altered. This record is more towards 'Stick And Stones' sound; a very polished sound. I can't explain it, but it seems all their things are standardized. There arent many of those super fast songs back in the 'Nothing Gold' and Selftitled era. Also, it might be me, or is Jordan voice higer pitched and nasaler on the newer records? But, having said that, this albums is filled of catchy pop songs, but at the same time, they really experiment a bit with more heavier sounds and even add a cameo of the amazing Reggie And Full Effect. You may be thinking, every band out there seems to be adding screaming to their songs, and NFG are just jumping to the bandwagon. Well your wrong, with Chad Gilbert the former frontman of hardcore legends Shai Hulud, screaming has always been part of NFG veins. Heres a rundown:

1. 'Intro' - Wow. New Found Glory are better then ever. I love this track to bits. Its fast, its loud, its awesome. I love it. It will make you move.

2. 'All Downhill From Here' - First single, everybody knows it.

3. 'This Diaster' - Another fast track, its a good song with yet another catchy chorus.

4. 'Truth Of My Youth' - One of my favorites. Its fast, its catchy, its good. The verse and prechorus are bound to make you move, and the chorus will kill you.

5. 'I Don't Wanna Know' - This is so different from any other New Found Glory track. I've never heard them like this before. Its slow, and features female vocals. A good song, but the chorus gets a bit annoying with Jordan nasal high pitched voices, and a chorus singing pattern that reminds me of a nursery rhyme. And the lyrics arent that special.

7. 'Doubt Full' - Typical 'new' New Found Glory. Good song, with a great chorus.

8. 'Failure's Not Flattering' - The song featuring the keyboardist of Reggie And Full Effect. Theres a new dimension with the keyboard, but i wish there was more keyboards in it. Good song, catchy as usual.

12. 'I'd Kill to Fall Asleep' - This reminds me of Something Corporate. The chorus is just "i'd kill to fall asleep" repeated. Its a nice song though.

13. 'No News Is Good News' - This song shows how New Found Glory have grown. The lyrics are more mature then ever, sounding even a little political. Good and catchy, and fast.

14. 'Who Am I' - A great closure to the record. The first few chorus's are just Jordan and a piano playing. Beautiful. Good song as well, and catchy.

Overall, a decent record from New Found Glory, though im sure this will sleep on you quick. But its good while it lasted. It had some fun moments, some emotinal moments, and some filler moments. They have experimented succesfully, but they sort of played it safe. A better pick up would be the selftitled and 'Nothing Gold Can Stay'. But fans of 'Sticks And Stones' will like this.