I am probably one of about five kids that can't quite understand what all the excitement around Vagrant Records is actually all about. Whatever the basis for the hype, with Saves the Day, it is probably deserved. Personally, I really enjoyed their last two full-lengths, "Through Being Cool" and "Can't Slow Down," both full of driving, infectious pop punk tunes. If you are looking for the same thing on "Stay What You Are," there might be somewhat of a let down. I don't want to be so extreme as to say that Saves the Day is going in a totally different direction, because that really is not the case. In most cases, I think this record is something of a slower, mellower version of what the band was playing in the past. The songs are still catchy and the lyrics are comparable, if not more developed than in the past. The difference, I think, is the lack of a full-out pop punk anthem (if anthem is a term you can use in describing pop punk) like "Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots" or "Shoulder to the Wheel." There are certainly songs that rock on "Stay What You Are," but they lack some of the punkness and driving energy of their past efforts. All that being said, this album may be Saves the Day's best to date. It is a really well rounded release. From start to finish, every song is a keeper. Really, it all depends on what you want in a record. The more I listen to this, the more it grows on me.
B+
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Tom BastianThe big buzz around "Stay What You Are" was that this is something totally different than any other Saves the Day release. Which for a band in their genre is only natural as they progress and grow as musicians. Many seemed to be disappointed; I on the other hand was pleasantly surprised. I was a fan of their previous full length "Through Being Cool" but I think I would have been rather…Similar sounding releases
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