The first few tracks feel like you just stepped onto a mid afternoon Beach party in Southern Cali, but a few tracks in it starts to calm down and show the range of these Minnesota natives.
The guitar riff in "We're Not Afraid" is very reminiscent of a Motion City song, which makes sense since Justin Pierre is featured in the song. I like "Come Around" better acoustically, like it appears on the EP, it sounds rushed with full band, even though it's awesome live. The beginning is a bit more epic sounding that it needs to be, and doesn't stand out as much as it should to be the title track of the album.
"Don't Save Me" & "Over You" are very bouncy like a children's song, but fitting of the band. "Don't Save Me" sort of blends in the background after a while, until the liven it up, slightly, in the last minute of the song.
"Give It Up" has a calm sound you haven't heard from the band yet, it's a great transition song into colder weather, and doesn't lose it's energy the way a song like that could.
My favorite song on the album, "No One Can Touch Us," which was also happens to be on the EP, makes me press repeat constantly. The song has just the right amount of this anthemic sugary pop, you can't help but to feel empowered and ridiculously happy. I mean, look at the title, plus about half way through the song you'll catch a familiar voice of Mr. Alex Gaskarth.
Although, "Fade Away" bored me slightly. I believe "Best Beating Heart" is the perfect ending to this album. From the beginning you can tell the song is leading to this amazing infinite loop, with incredible overlapping vocals and sweeping chords.
Sing It Loud's "Come Around" is just the right amount of sugar to keep your sweet tooth satisfied but not push you into a diabetic coma. With a variety of tempos, and subject matter, and a few guest vocalists sprinkled in, this album isn't changing any lives but it will help you transition from Summer to Fall flawlessly.
Rating: 4 out of 5 [CO]