ARTIST: STORY OF THE YEAR
ALBUM: TEAR ME TO PIECESRELEASE DATE: 10TH MARCH 2023
LABEL: SHARPTONE RECORDS
REVIEWER: ANDREW TREADWELL

Story Of The Year’s sixth studio album Tear Me To Pieces, is out March 10, 2023 via SharpTone Records. The new album is distinctly, invitingly, loudly Story Of The Year. Says guitarist Ryan Phillips “I think this album will be a defining moment in our career. When our fans hear it, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, shit, these dudes are ready to go!’ This is the sound of a band putting everything into it. If a new band came out with this album, I’d be texting everyone in my band about it.”

The amount of differing textures on this album is too hard to ignore. From the title track “Tear Me To Pieces”, which shows off Dan’s clean range, and also brings you right back to the sound of the band that fans love, to ‘2005‘ which highlights  the bands diversity, with it being almost a country ballad of sorts, and yet a song like “Take The Ride” has the hooky, bouncy sensibilities of a chart pop song.

The desolate vibes of “Real Life” juxtaposed with upbeat almost positive sounds makes for an interesting track and feelings inside while listening, and “Can’t Save You” has the hardcore vibes the band is best known for but for me doesn’t rely on the sounds of the past. This one is destined to become a live staple along with “War” which is just screaming to be played in front of thousands of people

“Afterglow” shares Dan’s journey through being a father, husband and human. This is a clear display of how a band and its message can evolve and mature over time. It’s a touching peak behind a very personal curtain, and “Sorry About Me” pulls at the heart strings and is full of reflection especially with the use of the acoustic guitar weaving in and out of the song

People might see this release as nostalgic, I personally see it as well rounded, the band may have one foot dangling in the past but make no mistakes that they are firmly moving in a forward direction.

Don’t think you will get it all from just one listen, you won’t and you would be doing the band a disservice by doing so. Play it in the car, play it through headphones, crank it up loud in your living room, or just around the table for a Sunday sesh. Just play it, alot. You will love it 

Story Of The Year – Tear Me To Pieces Tracklisting

Tear Me To Pieces

Real Life

Afterglow

Dead And Gone

War

Can’t Save You

2005

Sorry About Me

Take The Ride

Knives Out

Use Me

Story Of The Year Are

Dan Marsala (Lead Vocals)  Ryan Phillips (Lead Guitar & Vocals) Adam Russell (Guitar, Vocals) Josh Wills (Drums)

Where To Find Story of the Year 

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