Just Surrender - We're in Like Sin

Rating

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RIYL

Cartel
Saosin
Scaring Kids Scaring Kids
The Starting Line

Tracklist

1. Body Language And Bad Habits
2. So Close/So Alive
3. If I Wanted To Cuddle I'd Buy a Teddy Bear
4. I Said It Before
5. Your Life And Mine
6. New Declaration
7. Payback
8. You'd Be In Great Shape If You Ran Like Your Mouth
9. We're In Like Sin
10. Something That I'm Not
11. I'll Be Here

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Recent Ratings

Two years ago Just Surrender released If These Streets Could Talk. It was an album full of potential, but wasn’t enough to garner repeat listens. Their style of music fit the times with bands like Cartel gaining mainstream attention. Even with the hype surrounding the genre, the guys had to go back to the drawing board in order to compete with bands in their respective genre.

With their new album, We’re In Like Sin, you hear a variety of different styles in their music, all the way from Daphne Loves Derby to Taking Back Sunday. Although variety can keep things interesting, it leads the listener down a confused path. The guys are at their best when they play pure pop/rock instead of slow ballads. The lead track, “Body Language and Habits”, showcases the dual vocals (they still got them) and melodic hooks, and the same goes for “A New Declaration”. The sound is strong than on the previous album, but it’s not enough. Probably the biggest change in the band’s sound comes from the title track. It sounds like a mixture of The Academy Is and The Used.

The biggest problem with Just Surrender is in the vocal department. The vocals still lack in intensity and range. Even with their vibrant melodies, the vocals hinder the songs to the point where you skip to the next track more often than not.

Just Surrender is a band that could still break through, but just need to make improvements in their vocals in order to really catch the listener’s ear. We’re In Like Sin is a step up from the band’s previous album, but time will tell if people will stay around to listen.

--Chris Conlan

Author

Chris Conlan
Last updated: 09/29/2009 08:59PM

Comments

Rick Gebhardt
10/15/2007
05:58AM
Age: 30
Location
Minnesota
This band has always felt like a poor man's Taking Back Sunday to me.

Find me EVERYWHERE:

theseed30
10/15/2007
06:35PM
Location
Cincinnati
Well I would have to disagree with every point in the review. I guess I'm the biggest fan of this band on this site because I absolutely love these dudes sound. Cartel? are you serious. You want a band that sounds like Cartel....try All Time Low, holy hell just picked their new one up and I vommited. A carbon-copy of Cartel. The first album was outstanding, mass catchy songs. The new one is very good as well and continues to grow on me. i would probably rate it 3 1/2 stars right now. For me though, vocals is what attracts me to these guys. I'm sure they know they don't have the most talented singers, but the way they mix vocals, again very catchy to me.

I pray to God they don't get more mainstream....stay where you are please!! Cartel had a somewhat catchy 1st release, then went to shit. Matchbook Romance's 1st was one of my top 10 ever, then went to shit. The list could go on forever. Stay small, play for your fans, don't sell out.
Chris Conlan
10/15/2007
07:05PM
Age: 27
Location
Dubuque
I referred to Cartel because Chroma had so much hype around it.

I like these guys, I do, but they just don't have any replay value (at least to me).

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theseed30
10/15/2007
07:18PM
Location
Cincinnati
Indeed you did. I stand corrected. sorry.
Rick Gebhardt
10/15/2007
07:37PM
Age: 30
Location
Minnesota
I repeat... poor man's TBS. The end.

Find me EVERYWHERE:

theseed30
10/15/2007
09:00PM
Location
Cincinnati
This dude must have the wrong thread, he keeps mentioning TBS for some reason.

you've convinced me that's for sure.

rmgebhardt
I repeat... poor man's TBS. The end.