The Starting Line - Direction

The Starting Line, formed by Kenny Vasoli along with guitarists Matt Watts, Mike Golla, and drummer Tom Gryskewicz, some eight years ago in the suburbs of Pennsylvania are set to release the most triumphant album of their career on July 31st entitled Direction. For inspiration while writing the songs that became Direction, Vasoli looked to classic artists like Bob Dylan and James Brown. "I know that our album doesn't sound like that," the singer says, "but those guys would write songs that didn't have a whole lot going on, but they still worked really well. I guess that I tried to adopt that mindset while writing these songs. I wanted to give people something that was three or four minutes long, and got to the point." That distinct approach can be heard throughout Direction, whether it's in the wistful power-pop of "I Could Be Wrong", the strutting hard rock on the title track or the infectious first single "Island".

Recorded with Grammy nominated producer Howard Benson, this album is the logical next step in a career that has seen the band on the main stage of Warped Tour, performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, appearing on multiple covers of Alternative Press and had a video that made its way onto MTV. "This new record is definitely something we are all very proud of." says Vasoli. "Just the thought of what could happen with this is making us really excited. We really hope that it can reach all sorts of new people." Album Description

They can do much better than this...

Anyone who thinks this is The Starting Line's best work has clearly not heard their older stuff. This album is definitely a step up from Based on a True Story, an album in which the band lost their musical perspective in an effort to progress their sound. That album had a few saving graces, but for them, not at all a great record. This album is a bit more reminiscent of their older work. Tracks such as Island and Direction touch on the dynamic melodies and rhythmic vocals that are classic TSL style. A few others, such as Are You Alone, or 21, or Birds come close, but not quite far enough.

I've been a TSL fan for a long time now. I have no idea where Based on a True Story came from. But this album, in comparison to the last, was a much bigger step in the right direction. It's definitely worth a listen for the price - the tracks all come together to make for an interesting experience.

Here's to hoping their next album beats them all. July 8, 2008

Welcome back, Starting Line

Obviously nothing can compare to "Say it like you mean it," and we all know of the disaster that was "Based on a True Story." "Direction," although not quite there, is definitely a hell of a lot better than "Based on a true story." I think Ken needs to pick a style (as well as his appearance) and go with it.... May 25, 2008

where'd everybody go?

SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT wasn't exactly a masterpiece, but it was full of anthems and energy; this cd isn't. Some of the songs are kinda sweet, but just kinda. The music feels full of holes, spaces that coulda been filled in, but weren't. The melodies are like skeletons, lifeless. The lead singer's got a good voice, he sings like a true talent, but the songs, with the exception of "Island (Float Away)" (possibly the best song of 2007, ironically), are just lame. May 23, 2008

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this is a pretty amazingly sweet album. well i only really like 7 of the 12 songs, but what's interesting about these guys is how they're like the least trendy band in the (emo) pop-punk scene, all they have to get by on is good tunes. the tracks i like are number 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10. Something Left To Give is a good song but something about it bugged me and i realised it kinda plagiarizes Myopic Books by American Music Club from their 2005 album Love Songs For Patriots, unless Kenny doesn't own that album in which case maybe it's just a co-incidence. the other tracks, number 1, 9, 11, and 12, aren't quite good and gave me a mediocre overall impression of the album at first. the chorus of Are You Alone is a highlight of the album. Kenny Vasoli is one of the few songwriters in the current pop-punk/alt-rock scene who seems more concerned with writing substancial tunes than impressing an audience with superficial edgyness, and i guess judging by the fact that after being out for almost a year this album still has less than a quarter of the reviews of it's predecessor (2005's Based On A True Story, which likewise has less than half the reviews of the band's debut) it's fair to say there is less room than ever for a band that just want to play good music without gimmicks. this album gets under your skin with repeated listens. at first i wasn't as into it as i was with BOATS, considered it redundant even, but after listening back to that album i do think this is a step forward. May 16, 2008

Mello and Happy

Island is one of the nicest songs I have heard lately, 21 is also a great song. The band will be taking a break after the tour promoting this album so everybody shoul get in on this album. This band has grown and so has their music. March 30, 2008

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