Four Year Strong - Enemy of the World
Rating
RIYL
Set Your GoalsA Day To Remember
The Wonder Years
Release Date
03/09/2010
Label
UniversalTracklist
1."It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now" - 3:162."On a Saturday" - 3:43
3."Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)" - 3:18
4."Nineteen with Neck Tatz" - 3:24
5."Find My Way Back" - 3:28
6."What the Hell Is a Gigawatt?" - 3:07
7."One Step at a Time" - 3:06
8."This Body Pays the Bill$" - 3:20
9."Paul Revere's Midnight Ride" - 3:55
10."Flannel Is the Color of My Energy" - 3:29
11."Enemy of the World" - 4:02
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Four Year Strong hit the pop-core scene hard with Rise or Die Trying, setting a standard for all up and coming pop / hardcore acts. Many bands have come to center of the ring, calling out FYS to take their heavyweight title since then. What did FYS do about it? Merely turned the other cheek and laughed in the face of all who dared to step into the ring. After such a colossal album like Rise or Die Trying, many can be left questioning if the five brutes from Massachusetts have it left in them to follow up with an album that will help them hold the belt. Well… ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, Decoy Music proudly brings to you, the HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD… Four Year Strong!
Enemy of the World is the latest notch in the belt for these guys, and let me tell you this, if they plan on continuing the road of progression they are on, there is no way these guys will ever stop. If you’re looking for over-polished breakdowns and domineering gang-vocals left and right, you won’t find all that jazz here. No sir, Enemy of the World is what most bands wish they released when they say, “We progressed as musicians.” You can definitely see maturity in their music. Sure, it’s the same basic formula they have always followed, but it’s as if they were in a cloud of smoke and now they are reaching out to the light. “It Must Really Suck To Be Four Year Strong Right Now” starts the album with fast, grooving guitar work and is quickly joined with fitting drum exertion. Vocals come in and soothe you over with positive vibes. FYS’s vocals always ring a bit crisper than most, and this song is a perfect example of why these guys are always so damn catchy. “On A Saturday” starts a bit different than most of their songs. It has a more a positive anthem type feel to it, complements of the chorus, yet keeps more of a melodic and somber vibe throughout. The first single off the album, “Wasting Time (Eternal Summer),” is by far the catchiest song these guys have bestowed upon us. Every aspect of this song is perfect: the drive of the drums, the companionship of guitar and bass lines, catchy “whoah’s” in between and a blockbuster build-up-to-sing-along to finish off the track. It’s no wonder they had this track be the first single.
There’s no denying these guys are having fun with this album. Not only do amusing titles like "What the Hell is a Gigawatt?", "This Body Pays the Bill$" and "Flannel is the Color of my Energy" make things entertaining, but the cover is epically hilarious and priceless as well. The album seems to follow a strict uplifting and positive theme and it’s proudly displayed on “One Step at a Time.” Although “One Step at a Time” has a bit of a solemn meaning behind it, these guys still make it a point to keep their heads high and preserve an optimistic mentality. Closing the album is the title track. This song is like a giant party, taking parts of all of the previous tracks and combining them into one giant jungle juice. It may give the album’s first single a run for being dubbed their most impressive song. Sure “Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)” is catchy as hell but “Enemy of the World” takes the band’s maturity and progression and throws a major league fastball in your face. Astounding melody, awe-inspiring vocals and the testorerone level of a pubescent teen male make for a perfect ending leaving you begging for more.
After this release, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Four Year Strong has the scene by its balls. This album is louder, faster, fatter, and way more entertaining than anything FYS have released prior. It’s got the catchiness of pop and the attitude and aggression of hardcore. Neither aspect of the composition is overbearing, which basically sets one thing in stone -- these dudes know how to write songs. Universal Motown should feel honored to have FYS on their label and we should all feel honored to have them writing such lovable music. So here’s to you Four Year Strong! Thank you for giving us what could quite possibly be the number one album of 2010. Cheers!
--Bill Lohr
Comments
Minnesota
It's fun, but it's no 4.5 album. I enjoyed it and all, but it's pretty disposable and I don't see myself coming back to this in the future. It's just like every other pop-core band out there--they're good for some fun listens, but you can easily forget about them and move on.
Lehigh Valley, PA
Not me man. This album was WAY better than Rise or Die Trying. These dudes really know what is up, in my opinion. They're tuned in to what needs to be done in this scene that is already over-populated. I haven't stopped listening to this album (along with the new Counterparts album) since I got it. At first I was thrown off but it grew on me so quickly that I was taken back by it. It's very uplifting and positive and definitely what I need for myself and for my music fulfillment at this current point in time.
Alabama
I can't wait to hear this album, especially if it is this much better than Rise or Die...I found myself loving parts of that album and just skipping others.
Lehigh Valley, PA
That's exactly how I was with that album. However, I don't skip a thing on this album.
San Luis Obispo, CA
it took me a good 10 listens or so but ive been enjoying it more and more with every listen. it started out a 4.5 then went to a 3.5 and now its back up and holding steady at a 4/5. good album for sure.
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Nazareth, Pennsylvania
My first listen, I was really underwhelmed. It didn't take long to grow on me though.
Quite a well-written review, too-- you write like the album sounds.
"(Hoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo!) Alright alright alright! (Hoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo!) Ah, ah, ah, ah! (Hoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo!) Alright alright alright! (Hoo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo!) Ah, ah, ah, ah!"
Lehigh Valley, PA
Thank you, Sir.
Maine
I feel that there are really only four standout tracks (tracks 1,3,6, and 10) and the rest are just sort of solid. That said, those four tracks are very good. I'm gonna give this bad boy a 3.5/5.
Everyone on the dancefloor is doomed!
Minnesota
Wow... I thought you liked the album? ;-)
Lehigh Valley, PA
Sigh.
Illinoise
i think it didnt live up to all the hype it got, but its growing on me. still a huge rise or die trying fan, but this is definitely not the same record at all. "what the hell is a gigawatt" is prob the closest youll get to the last record.
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San Jose, CA
Well it's definitely miles ahead of Close Your Eyes, at least.
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Minnesota
I'll be the only person on these boards to disagree with you...
Illinoise
matthew's right.
but i still think close your eyes isn't bad.
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Wisconsin
i think all cye vocals are better than these easily. the catchiness isn't the same, but i think cye has more talent.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
As much as I like Close Your Eyes, they are nowhere close to these guys. It's just my opinion but, I do not see how someone can say that. CLE are great but a rip-off of every band in this genre.
Washington, DC
This album surprised me. Rise Or Die Trying just felt silly to me, but with this it seems they were able to take it more seriously. Great album - great review.
"Standing still is where we've gone wrong" - The dingees
Wisconsin
i've seen CYE a lot. only seen fys once, but cye sounds a lot better live i think. i'm a bit biased though, beceause i know the guys.
i also think cye is more memorable. i like a few tracks off this, but i can get into any cye song at any time.
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Green Brook, NJ
this album rules. definitely the best of it's kind since set your goals. miles ahead of the last wonder years album.
Hillsborough, NC
Joe Pepito kills on "What the Hell is a Gigawatt?", which is definitely my favorite song.
Dubuque
This album keeps getting better with every listen.
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Maine
I agree with that. My initial impression was of an album with a few standouts that were VERY good and the rest as solid cuts. But I think I'm liking this so much more for two reasons, 1. because some of what I felt were "lesser" songs have yielded parts that I've come to quite like, and 2. because it really feels so much more mature than Rise or Die Trying. I think we're looking at a very good pop-punk record here. Although, sorry to say Bill, not an album of the year.
Everyone on the dancefloor is doomed!
Bedford, OH
This album is catchy as fuck.
Hathaway
Jammin The Mess Outta:
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Alabama
Loving this! It definitely just keeps getting better and better!
FL
loving this album, but in no way is it miles ahead of the new wonder years.
I like my coffee black, just like my metal.
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