While I can't say that the opening track, "For, Always Forever" has the most original lyrics in the world ("Looks like we made it out alive."), it opens the album with a running start. The album continues with "Mindset," similar to the opening track, it is very 90s alternative influenced, with a recurrent guitar riff that plays a key role in the song.
The gang vocals and the guitar solo in "Girl Like That" save the track from becoming tedious, and the quick breakdown in "Saying Goodbye" takes the album in a unexpected, but refreshing direction. While some tracks on Picture Perfect seem to fade into the background, unnotably, the small details make each song distinctly Every Avenue: a strategically placed "Yeah!" in "Finish What You Started," or a lyric like "Excuse me while I laugh my ass off," in "I Forgive You."
As the violin comes in with "The Story Left Untold" it's evident, more than ever, that the guys aren't all that interested with neon and scene politics with tracks like "Happy the Hard Way." Even the album art is stripped of the bright pinks and blues of the previous release, Shh. Just Go With It, replaced with grown and sexy blacks, greys and reds.
People are quick to compare Every Avenue to bands like All Time Low and Mayday Parade, or label mates, The Maine but there's a whole lot less sugar with these Detroit boys. I'd place comparison with Third Eye Blind or Gin Blossoms before any pop band playing the clubs right now.
4.5 out of 5 [CO]