Up-Load UK, Gigs News & reviews At The End Of The Day, Army Of Freshmen

At The End Of The Day by Army Of Freshmen

Released October 2005 by Brand New Hero Records

This special UK only release is a preview of the follow up album to Army of Freshmen’s acclaimed second album Beg, Borrow Steal and was produced by Bowling For Soup front man Jaret Reddick.

Their style is keyboard driven, pop-punk based but with a heavier rocky undertone. They hail from Ventura, California and are a six piece band who are currently appearing on the Bowling For Soup UK Tour.

If you get the chance to check them out on any of the dates I would highly recommend it, these guys are full of energy and put on a great show.

Track 1 At The End Of The Day
A bouncy intro leads you into the raspy sound of Chris Jay’s vocals blasting out the title track of this EP, it has a very catchy chorus line that tends to stick in your head. The band have a rappy punk sound with loads of keyboards, guitars and a heavy drum beat. The vocal mix from the band members works very well with great harmonies with a nice quiet keyboard/vocal only ending.

Track 2 Wrinkle In Time
A bit more upbeat track with lots of vocal work by all the members of the band which produce a nice mix of voices. A heavy drum beat plays all the way through with excellent guitar sounds. Again we have Chris Jay doing his unique rap rock vocal sound throughout. This is the tale of lost love and going back to try and re-kindle the romance.

Track 3 Maybe In The Midwest
An intro of almost du whop “na na na na” harmonies from the band until Chris’s voice comes in over the top, this sound continues throughout the track. A softer sounding track all round , a very bouncy and happy feeling pop-punk song.

Track 4 Talk Of The Town
Heavy keyboards lead into the now familiar rapping style of vocals backed by the melodic voices of the other band members. Very upbeat and catchy with great guitar playing throughout, the drum playing is quieter with loads of cymbals. The vocals sound great through headphones as the individual voices blast from one ear to the next then skip back. Great mixing !

Track 5 Get Um Up (Radio Mix)
This is my favourite track on the EP. A very heavy sound with a great chorus that makes you want to bounce up and down and throw your fists into the air, continually throughout the track. This song itself is about celebrating finally going home because the war is over. Believe me this track will be a huge hit if it ever gets the radio play that it deserves.

If this is a taste of things to come from the Freshmen I can’t wait to here the new CD. I have had the honour of watching this band twice, live, in the past few days and believe me the energy and enthusiasm that generates from this band is infectious. Members of the audience that have never heard their music are soon bouncing up and down and loving every minute of the set.

Chris Jay was born to be a showman, he has a slight air of Vanilla Ice and enough vibrancy and sheer charisma to fill an arena sized venue. The band work so well together with a great mix of keyboards, guitars, drums and of course the very different singing voices and styles they produce.

The band has now been together for 8 years and it’s so hard to see why they have not had more recognition from the UK and beyond, these guys are great and their sound is so refreshing and is truly addictive, if you listen to one of their songs you need to find more.

All I can say is go and buy this Ep and their previous albums and whatever you do make sure that you look out for the new album when it is out.

www.armyoffreshmen.com

Get Em Up, Paradise, Spring Break and Bullit Proof In Bag Can be Heard at

http://www.myspace.com/armyoffreshmen

   



Army Of Freshmen

Chris Jay

Aaron Goldberg 

Kai Dodson

Mike Milligan

Owen Bucey

Dan Clark