Saves The Day
Stay What You Are

THE REVIEW

Since this is the first review about them, let me introduce them to you. Saves the Day is a pop-punk/pop rock band from New Jersey, formed in 1994. After their first two releases in '98 and '99, in 2001 they produced what many consider their best album: Stay What You Are.

Upon first listen, it sounds like all other bands from that era and genre, but thanks to something inexplicable, you'll find yourself listening to it over and over again. Noteworthy are the opener "At Your Funeral," "Cars & Calories," and "Firefly," but all the tracks are more or less on the same level. The tones lower with the ballad "Freakish" and the pleasing "Nightingale."

Chris Conley on vocals perfectly fulfills his role, delivering emotion with his youthful voice, a must for this type of band. The bass lines are very engaging, never predictable, adding depth to the riffs created by the two guitars.

Overall, it is a very easy listening album, suitable for everyone. Some categorize it under the emo genre, but discussions about this term are and will be endless. To me, it seemed like the usual teenage CD but with something extra; that something extra that will make us give it another listen from time to time.

It doesn't evoke the emotion of an emocore work and isn't as thrilling as a punk or indie album, yet it leaves something with the listener that is difficult to put into words.