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Sophomore effort from third-wave flag-wavers is hardly sophomoric.

Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
Posted by Rachel Lux on 26-Feb-08 @ 11:38 AM

[3.5/5]
What's confounding about Somewhere In The Between is how little Streetlight Manifesto have stylistically changed since Everything Goes Numb's release in 2003. Their first proper album in more than four years, the band's colossally bold and sharp brass lines and frenetically jangled upstrokes mixed with frontman Tomas Kalnoky's splintery narratives told via his rambling, raspy delivery are ever-present. Any promises of "eastern European and gypsy sounds" (made way back in AP 200's 100 Bands You Need To Know In 2005 special) are scattered and subtle ("Watch It Crash," "The Receiving End Of It All"), while multiple horn lines in "Forty Days" even seem recycled from Numb's "Here's To Life."

Unfortunately, there's no real "Point/Counterpoint" or "Keasbey Nights" among the 10 tracks, though "Down, Down, Down To Mephisto's Cafe" is a sure contender. Still, there's plenty of variety and abandonment of verse-chorus structure abandonment along with Kalnoky's convincing storytelling to keep Somewhere a thoroughly engaging listen. Shaving off 11 minutes in length from Numb, things move at a bouncy, concise clip, as well. Somewhere In The Between remains a punchy, consistent and strong release from one of ska-punk's arguable frontrunners. (VICTORY) Brian Shultz

ROCKS LIKE:
Streetlight Manifesto's Everything Goes Numb
Catch 22's Keasbey Nights
Mad Caddies' Just One More


Official Website: http://www.victoryrecords.com




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