When All That's Left Is You

by

Quietdrive

Edit

Just when you think there aren't any new bands coming out worth your time, here comes Quietdrive. Quietdrive deliver some well-crafted, intensely melodic and catchy alternative rock, the best since the likes of Jimmy Eat World or Third Eye Blind. They aren't emo, they aren't retro or pretentious, just good, honest alternative rock. Thanks to producer Butch Walker (who has worked with everyone from Avril Lavigne to Sevendust), Quietdrive's proper debut, "When All That's Left Is You," is a 10 track collection of songs that are both sickeningly professional and widely appealing.

To find a negative in the album is impossible. This is, quite simply, music that is hard not to love. No, Quietdrive are not the most original band out there, but they are reviving a sound that is practically dead in today's alternative rock wasteland. Like something out of the late-90's, where bands like Everclear and Matchbox 20 ruled the world, they pull out all the stops on their debut by making every song a hit. "Take A Drink On Me," in my estimation, is the catchiest on the album, with others such as "Rise From The Ashes" and a well done cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" living up to the same quality. "Both Ways," the closing track, is the obligatory prom-night anthem, making this effort destined for greatness. It's a short little album (with the shortness being the only complaint), but it sure packs a punch. It's amazing that the mainstream hasn't caught onto Quietdrive, but it wouldn't be surprising if we didn't start hearing more of them soon. It's definitely an album that anyone who appreciates a good song should check out. I challenge you not to be roped in by "When All that's Left Is You."

Quietdrive 'quietly' flew under my radar for the longest time. I had not even heard of them until last week, when the song "take a drink" caught my attention and got me interested.

As with most rock releases these days, 'you' is a short collection, running just under 32 minutes and light on filler. Standout songs include the anthemic "rise from the ashes", the single worthy alt-rock hit "rush together", and a half hearted, albeit infectious, rock and roll cover of "time after after". Production by butch walker is flawless from a sonic point of view; professional and clean.

Even with everything working in their favor, Quietdrive do little to seperate themselves from the pack. "You" is catchy, it's fun to listen to; it's not original. Fans of Sugarcult, Yellowcard and Jimmy Eat World will find much to enjoy in Quietdrive's guitar driven pop-rock sound. The rest of us, however, will be left with nothing more than the feeling that we've heard it all before. We have.