Pop-punk's had a really interesting stretch as the "it" genre in the scene the last few years. While The Wonder Years, Fireworks, and Transit have push the genre's boundaries with wonderfully-crafted albums, there seem to be more and more bands with less and less substance, and the floodgates have seemingly opened. Alas, the saturation process has begun. However, there is still room for a band to find success in this genre without going outside of the box. Case in point: The Story So Far's debut full-length Under Soil and Dirt. Not quite the generation-defining effort Suburbia was, this album resonated with a great many people thanks to the band's hardcore-infused sound, paced by the sneering vocals of Parker Cannon. Lyrics from "Swords and Pens," "Mt. Diablo," and quite a few others lined the Tumblr feeds of every pop-punk "defender," and the band quickly became the band to bear the "next big thing" title. With this added pressure, the band attempt to create another pop-punk diamond with their follow-up, What You Don't See.
Before I provide any type of analysis, let me offer this warning: I liked this album, I really did. If you're looking at this review to wonder whether or not you should check it out, I'm telling you that you definitely should. This is a great effort the The Story So Far to continue their upward climb to get into the upper echelon of today's pop-punk scene. The band have improved, and for some, that will be more than enough.
If you're here to see my impressions of the album, well, you asked for it.
What You Don't See is, as I stated, a very worthy follow-up to the scene dream that was Under Soil and Dirt. Cannon's biting lyrics are angst-ridden and well-delivered, and the band behind him have vastly improved as well. That being said, it would appear that they are not ready to ascend upon the throne of pop-punk just yet. Tracks like "Stifled" and "Playing the Victim" are catchy, but they lack the grit and passion that "High Regard" and "Daughters" had. What made Under Soil so memorable was its grandiose, explosive moments, where Cannon's lyrics are highlighted. That seems to be something the band tried to avoid this time around, focusing more on building songs rather than moments. While this effort does pay its dividends, as evidenced on the roaring opener "Things I Can't Change" and "The Glass," but those are too few and far between to keep fans from clamoring for a return to their debut's form.
If you were looking for a leap forward on the level of Listen and Forgive, there simply isn't one here. The band don't stray too far from their comfort zone, but give credit where it is due: this band knows what they do well, and they continue to do it better than most any other band out there. This is no more evident than on "Empty Space," a shorter track that showcases the relentless energy The Story So Far can bring to the table when on top of their game.
Maybe it's not fair to compare What You Don't See to the genre-defining albums that have been released over the past few years. But with the attention the band have garnered (and deserved), there's just something about this album that will leave listeners expecting a little bit more. Make no mistake, there are flashes of greatness here, just like on Under Soil and Dirt. But if The Story So Far are to ever establish themselves as the kingpins of pop-punk, they're going to need to start swinging for the fences a little more often. If this were the debut album from a band like With the Punches or Handguns, this review would be about how the album was a bright spot in what's becoming an overcrowded market. But thanks to the potential shown on Under Soil and Dirt, The Story So Far have shown us that they're not quite there... yet.
The Bottom Line: While Why You Can't See is a well put-together sophomore effort, but not taking a step backward doesn't mean that you took a step forward.
Recommended if you Rock: Under Soil and Dirt, Fireworks' All I Have to Offer is My Own Confusion
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