Punk is dead. Pop punk, however, is alive and well. Ask any skinny jean wearing, Ipod touch bearing, 14 year-old boy or girl what the kids are listening to these days and they list bands like Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, Hawk Nelson, or Everyday Sunday. So the name FM Static may mean “radio noise” to anyone older than 25, but mention the name to any group of teenagers and your knee deep in 8 gig nanos.
FM Static started in 2003 as a side project of TFK (Thousand Foot Krutch) singer Trevor McNevan. Six years and three albums later, April 7 marks the release of Dear Diary, the bands new concept album. FM Static has always done the pop punk thing well, so there are no surprises when you put the album into your player. A blend of clear vocals, catchy lyrics and danceable rhythms jump out at you from the first single, “A Boy Moves to Town With an Optomistic Outlook”. Trevor’s vocal talent and creativity fit the album well and come through very clearly on tracks like “Man Watcha’ Doing”. Steven Augustine (who founded the band with Trevor) makes the poppy, rhythmic guitar sounds sound complete in the form of very capable drumming. I find myself drawn to the music on this album more than on any previous CD. “Her Father’s Song” works extremely well for the band because it is something I haven’t heard. This track is a down-tempo ballad with a really good drum line and very catchy chorus. I also really find myself drawn to the song ”Take Me As I Am” because it doesn’t typify that old pop-punk sound. It’s new ground and that is commendable.
Dear Diary is a concept album because of it’s lyrical themes. Trevor has decided to appeal directly to his listening audience. He has taken what most high school kids think about and created songs, weaving together themes of searching and themes of being out of place. As a whole the album is not the strongest, but it doesn’t fall flat because FM Static has connected with their listeners. That has to count for something more than just “radio noise”.
7/10
—Luke—
I really enjoy reading anything you write. I am one that is over 40 and I could still be hip on what is cool if ya know what I mean. I just need someone like you to EXPLAIN IT ALL………. great stuff.
this album is very catchyespecially track 7 its an 8/10 for sure