I picked this one up to show my support for the band (i had already listened to the album a few times through on YouTube, so i knew what to expect).
This seems to be the next evolutionary stage in Set It Off's career; their previous album, Cinematics, is great and i'd highly recommend picking it up as a starting point if you're not familiar - they carried over enough elements from that title for this one to feel familiar, but they also integrated a fair amount of pop-music.
One of the main draws to Set It Off, for me, is Cody's wide, at some times extremely entertaining, vocal range. Also their similarities to My Chemical Romance and Panic! At The Disco (two major bands that he's admitted being huge influence for the band). This album keeps that trend going while still feeling fresh.
I thought it was interesting that Coheed took this turn, considering they're pretty well known for really long album titles and extravagant story-telling (and a continuing concept across their discography, not an independent concept for each).
Overall, i think it's a fun album to listen to, especially the single "you've got spirit, kid".
if you're a Senses Fail fan that feels it's 'Let It Enfold You' or nothing, then i'd steer clear. I'm someone that got into Senses Fail because they were on the warped line-up in 2006 . . . and then i didn't really listen to them again until 2007/8 (i had to catch up with "Still Searching" and then the fall '08 release of "Life Is Not A Waiting Room"). I also really enjoy "The Fire" from 2010 (?). I never picked up their previous title, "Renacer" but i grabbed this one to show my support, but also to familiarize myself with their new material before seeing them co-headline with Silverstein in November.
There are some tracks on the album that i enjoy, and i listen to it with an open mind, but i'm perfectly comfortable with disclosing that it's not my favorite. Senses Fail has pretty sharply and firmly changed styles and no longer dabbles in the screamo/pop-punk fusion that they did when first starting out. Not sure if it's worth mentioning (or if they're at all related) but the current SF line-up is completely different at this point with Buddy being the only original member (i think - feel free to fact-check me).
I'd listen to it on YouTube (or your preferred streaming service) to see if you like this new-era Senses Fail before purchasing, and if you like it, by all means pick it up.
State Champs is a band that my girlfriend and I are super stoked on - to us their spearheading the pop-punk revival and helping to get it back to the stonghold it once held in the early 2000's (NFG, Blink, Good Charlotte, etc).
That being said, this album was a little underwhelming when it came to our anticipation for it. If I wanted to get someone on the band wagon, i'd show them SC's debut full-length "The Finer Things". I do enjoy this album more and more as it's grown on me. It has some great tracks that translate well live (we've seen them at back-to-back shows in Southern California when their tour came through shortly after the album's release).
The only reason I feel it initially didn't live up to my expectations is because the vocals feel too polished/produced and lack the raw quality that drew me in in the first place. I'm really excited to see these guys grow as a band and can appreciate how much attention their getting, as they clearly deserve it, but if i was introducing someone to State Champs, i'd start with their debut and then show them this title. Some of my favorite tracks, aside from the single, "Secrets", that they released mid-summer to promote the October release, are "Eyes Closed", "Losing Myself", "Perfect Score" and "Tooth And Nail".
That being said, if you're a State Champs fan and haven't picked this title up yet, i'd highly recommend you do so. Also, kudos to their label, Pure Noise Records, for issuing this album in some primo packaging. :)
I'm glad to see these guys are back - i actually hadn't known they released a new album until i saw this one, so it came as a bit of a surprise. I had $60 in Best Buy gift cards when i was picking up 2 specific albums so i grabbed this one to help me burn through what i had to spend.
It's a good album, but when it comes to me, Breaking Benjamin and bands like them are ones that i'll throw on in the background to have some music playing. That of course doesn't mean i'm not stoked to see these guys live for the first time this coming March since they NEVER come to Southern California. I'm partial to the previous BB titles "Phobia" and "Dear Agony", but if you want to support their return and want some good driving music, pick this one up!!
These Apple-designed cases are made from premium leather for a luxurious feel. Because they're precision crafted for iPhone 6 Plus, the case fits snugly and your phone still feels incredibly slim even with the case on. The soft microfiber lining on the inside helps protect your iPhone. And on the outside, you see color that's more than surface deep, thanks to a dye that's infused into the leather. Choose from five complementary colors.(This case is made from natural aniline leather. Its appearance will change as you use it.)
I grabbed this case to immediately put on my new iPhone 6+ at the time of upgrade because Pelican cases are exclusive to AT&T stores and there were no Otter Box Commuters that I liked in stock (plus, Otter Box does not a make a 'wallet' for the 6+, only the 6). It FEELS like genuine leather, as Apple claims (i wouldn't know otherwise - i'm not a big fan of leather goods outside of wallets) and fits snuggly to the phone without adding bulk, as they also claim. However, after having switched to a more heavy duty case (I went with Pelican), I feel more comfortable with the safety of my phone on the day-to-day and when at concerts. I DID hang on to the leather case from Apple though, because I know if i need to get dressed up for anything, it'll look nice and won't be bulky in my coat pocket (plus, I didn't see the point in returning it).
As my review title says, it's pricey for what it is, but i figured if i had to settle for a non-heavy duty case and was going to be spending about as much anyway, I might as well get the apple genuine product - plus they had my favorite color so it was an easy decision. A little lame that they charge THAT much more for the 6+ case vs the 6, but what are you gonna do. If Best Buy had had Apple's SILICONE case in stock, I'd have probably gone with that as my first case for the lower price point and higher durability (i.e. to not have to worry about the leather on the case i DID get being susceptible to water damage if it were to be set down on a wet surface - if it were submerged, the case would be the least of my worries, obvisously).