SOMETHING CORPORATE

"NORTH"

Review Date: 11/11/03

Rating: 7.5/10

Rewiewed By: suj

Something Corporate is back and in full effect with this new album entitled 'North'. their "official" sophomore release by these Orange County natives, is a step up from their previous efforts. Forget your immature-sing-along-tunes like "If U C Jordan" and "Drunk Girl", don't get me wrong there both amazing songs, but none of those types of tunes are showcased on "North". This album contains a completely different approach than any past releases by the band. The record showcases the more emotional, deeper, heartfelt side of the band with songs like "Down", "Miss America”, and my personal favorite “21 and Invincible”.

"As You Sleep" opens up the album introducing you to what the style of the entire record is going to be all about. The elegant composed piano and that emotional lyrics are exactly what this band should have done all along. Though past releases were also good including the stellar tracks stemming from 2002's 'Leaving Through The Window', "North" contains everything you have always wanted from this band, and throws out everything you didn't like.

Even though the piano is what SoCo are known for as their music is sometimes dubbed 'piano punk' and it was present in 'Leaving Through The Window', its nothing compared to how it is played on "North". The piano literally makes this album. "Me And The Moon" is a fine example of the power the piano has on this record. The track is by far one of the most impressive songs on the album.

It comes to a surprise to me that Something Corporate is so in tuned within the whole 'Punk' scene because this album is everything but that. "North" exemplifies Power-Pop at its finest, this is what makes them standout from all the other bands off their label, Drive-Tru Records.

This record will be their groundbreaking release and will bring the attention that they deserve. The fans will be so amazed with "North" and will never take the disc out of their CD players. The thing about this record is that the band doesn't need to scream all the time to show how much feeling and emotion is present in their music; the music simply says it all.