Search - Race the Sun :: Rest of Our Lives Is Tonight

Excellent emo pop punk

Destroy Boy | www.ohboydestroy.com | 03/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Race The Sun is one of the better emo flavored pop punk bands to come out in quite some time.

This debut effort showcases a serious knack for writing peppy punk songs that incorporate some

of the best elements of good emo, from an emphasis on distinctive lead guitar riffs to varied

tempo changes/moods within songs. The songs typically feature a staccato style drum/guitar

framework punctuated with catchy lead guitar work, reminiscent of later Saves The Day, which

sometimes progress into softer passages laced with synth/string/wind instruments, similar to

what Jimmy Eat World often employ, which are linked by driving, straightforward bottom heavy

rhythm sections which remind me a lot of the faster Knapsack songs. Those are some big

shoes to fill in terms of comparisons but this band, if they stick with it for a few albums, will surely

be mentioned in the same breath with those emo heavyweights.



Although the majority of the songs are fairly fast paced, their songwriting style comes to full

fruition on the exceptional "Weak Would Be Me Flinching" which at first blush comes across as

maybe too emo with it's heavy orchestra elements and sleepy pace but grows on you with it's

powerful vocals and strong finish. Still, if the entire album was full of songs such as that it

wouldn't nearly be as attention grabbing from start to finish.



The one thing that may turn off a few people is the vocals. They're very similar to the Saves The

Day vocalist if a bit lower octave. Still, they're fairly high pitched and definitely squarely in the emo

camp having none of the crossover elements the underlying music has. I think the singer sounds

great and really fits the songs but punk die hards would probably find it a little soft.



This is one of the stronger debut albums I've heard in quite some time. They've come out of the

gates with a fully baked sound that borrows from some of the emo genre greats but remains

distinctly their own with their liberal pop punk leanings. This is a strong combination that is

executed in top fashion across the board, surprising for a brand new band like this and only

makes me more excited to hear what they'll do in the future.



Check out more reviews at ohboydestroy."