It really gets my goat when a band cites a while scree of bands as influences or other acts they sound like and I've never even heard of, let alone listened to, a single one of them. Ok, so perhaps it's because it reminds me of my own shortcomings. I think I have a reasonably broad and deep knowledge of popular (and not so popular) music, but there's always more to learn. So, when Kyoto Drive state that they're 'for fans of' This Providence, Owl City, Jimmy Eat World, Cinematic Sunrise, Saves the Day and The Get Up Kids, it's both unhelpful and makes me feel like an ignoramus, horrendously unqualified to review their album in context.
On listening, though, it's immediately apparent that a) Kyoto Drive are purveyors of accessible, uptempo guitar-led alternative rock b) I've not really been missing out with the bands they aspire to share a fanbase with. While b) perhaps sounds unduly negative, I'm by no means dismissing or denigrating these acts, but have to say that I've rather had my fill of accessible, uptempo guitar-led alternative rock in recent years.
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So when the press release claims that the band's sound is 'a mash-up of old-fashioned punk-pop and new-wave progressive pop that makes for a familiar but forgotten combination of styles reminiscent of Drive Thru circa 2005,' what they're actually saying is that they're making music very similar to stuff that was kicking about five years ago and can still be found in abundance. Familiar? Certainly. Forgotten? Er, not so much.
'This Is All We Ever Wanted' isn't a bad album. The songs are catchy, energetic, well-structured, well-played, solidly produced, melodic... and rather generic. Yes, they're good at what they do, but they're not doing anything that countless other bands are also doing, and doing perfectly competently.
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