Bayside – Vacancy

To my knowledge Bayside has never done a themed album. Sure, they’re all dark yet fun. Supremely moody yet enticing. But there’s never been a thread that connects one track to the other. Until Vacancy that is. On Bayside’s 7th studio album we join Anthony Raneri on his post second divorce adventure living out of boxes in Nashville after moving his family there, only to be left behind. I know what you’re thinking – “Oh great, another break up album”, and in essence yes, that is what we have. However it never feels bogged down by broken hearts and lament. Don’t get me wrong, those things are present, but somehow Raneri is able to focus these feelings into a beautiful introspective journey that leaves us feeling almost voyeuristic – but in a good way. Like George McFly in the tree pre-falling and getting run over by a car. You know what I mean?

Technically and musically, I have always felt that Bayside is three steps ahead of the other bands that crowd this field. He uses a lead guitar like few do, a level of artistic challenge I’m not sure many in this genre are capable of, and then grounds it with raucous sing-a-long choruses. Lots of toe-tapping showmanship that almost makes you smile, which you immediately feel guilty for given the content. Having fun throughout a break up is tough, we all know that. Unlike Alkaline Trio – darkly fun, tongue in cheek – Bayside is upbeat in the face of aversion, almost hopeful. I get the feeling that he’s the kind of guy that smiles while choking back tears as he cracks a self deprecating joke. There’s just this level of honesty in his voice. The pain is definitely there, we can feel it, and we care. And that’s the strongest compliment I can give a band. We care. Music at it’s base level is affective. I don’t care how it moves me as long as it does. I like to smile, I like to dance but I also like to relate and mourn.  But throughout it all, Raneri never gets caught in the dredges of depression, we never feel like he’s pulling us along by our teeth through a heavy burdened life lesson. It’s dark but light. “It’s not as depressing as it sounds” Raneri croons on the final track of the album. And he’s right, it never is.

silver   gold   platinum   Diamond   Record   (4/4)