Forever The Sickest Kids – Underdog Alma Mater

1 May 2008, Joe @ 2:06 am

Released on April 29th, Underdog Alma Mater is the much anticipated debut album from one of the most addictive bands to hit the pop punk scene. Forever The Sickest Kids has only been around for little over a year, when two former bands merged as one in December of 06. Currently supporting All Time Low and The Rocket Summer on the AP tour, FTSK has accomplished some pretty amazing things in such a short period of time. The band will also be headlining a tour with some of my favourite bands including Metrostation, The Cab and The Maine. FTSK will also be doing many dates of the Warped Tour (including the Toronto date) so I’m very excited to get the opportunity to see them live.

Underdog Alma Mater is an album I’ve been waiting for, for quite some time. With 2008 being such a big year for many of the bands I listen to, including the release of Whisper War by The Cab and a late 08 release date for The Glass Passenger by Jack’s Mannequin, FTSK and Underdog Alma Mater has always sat nearer to the top of that list. Being easily impressed by their first EP, Television Off Party On, it was almost a shoe in that the first full length would be just as good. Not surprisingly, the album delivered a lethal injection of addictive power pop, never straying away from the catchy and upbeat elements that have made them famous.

Before getting into the meat of the album, I’ll state my one and only gripe and that is nearly half of the album is material I had previously heard. This recycling of material kind of killed the anticipation of the album, but the new stuff is just as deadly, and in the end it was well worth the wait. The first song Whoa Oh was a single available on their Myspace as a teaser to the album and it is a perfect example of what Forever The Sickest Kids is all about. The chorus is absolutely and painfully addictive that is sure to get people out of their seats and dancing about. Simple but well placed vocals constantly changing in rhythm and tone provides that fast paced upbeat tempo that FTSK exemplifies. There’s a lot of energy radiating from this one song, and the album continuously produces hit after hit. The use of a variety of vocals, one main and two backing, keeps listeners from ever getting bored, and provides plenty of liveliness to the songs. Along with the classic line up of vocalist, guitar, bass and drums, FTSK adds another guitarist and keyboardist to complete a six man crew, where each individual plays a vital role in the music. The jam packed line up provides for constant action in the music, and this is definitely the key to their upbeat style of powerpop. Every now and again I’ll focus on the synths, or the guitars, or the vocals, but it’s this constant shifting of noise that really kicks the music into high gear.

Hey Brittany, a song that they first wrote for Purevolume, is probably they’re most famous track, and it is also featured in this album. Although remastered, FTSK did not change much, but it meshes perfectly with the album. My Worst Nightmare the third track, is one of my favourites because of the intro, a basic synth beat that seems really corny at first, but quickly becomes a very classy rhythm that’s extremely refreshing. The album continues with much of the same upbeat, lively music, that’s just incredibly fun to listen to. Coffee Break slows things down and gets a little more serious, but what album isn’t complete without the acoustic intermission?

With witty lyrics, great instrumentals, smooth vocals and a fast moving style, Underdog Alma Mater has been a pleasure to listen to and is a solid album. Considering it’s a debut album, I’m really anxious to see how Forever The Sickest Kids can top this. With hit after hit after hit, Forever The Sickest Kids will likely enjoy some huge success. Although many may say they will outgrow their style, I sincerely hope they don’t, because you’re never too old to have fun, and this album is about just that.

AWmusic