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Review: Daytrader – Twelve Years [Album]

Rise Records // "Brilliantly nostalgic songwriting that echo's the best of noughties melodic-punk"

by Candi H, July 22nd, 2012 and has been Read 1044 times.
Last Edited by: Ffion Davies July 22nd, 2012.

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Oregon-based label, Rise Records represent many of today’s prolific rock and metal bands. One of which are New York’s Daytrader who made their debut on the label this year with their first LP, Twelve Years. The bands’ 2011 EP, Last Days of Rome was a slick melodic-punk rock delight, produced by the great Mike Sapone (Brand New, Taking Back Sunday) under their first label, Run For Cover.

It really surprises me that I’ve not come across this Brooklyn quintet until now, considering their style echoes that of bands I hugely admire like Brand New, Saves The Day and Jimmy Eat World. Daytrader were formed from the remnants of bands from the early 00’s punk/emo/hardcore “movement”; where bands like the above ruled the roost. This supergroup is made up of drummer Pat (ex Bridge & Tunnel/Latterman), guitarist Mike (ex The Motorcycle Industry), guitarist Gary (ex Crime in Stereo), bassist Jon (ex Monikers) and vocalist Tym (ex Divider) who take the best characteristics of that glorious era and bring them into the now.

Twelve Years opens with the mighty ‘Deadfriends’; flickers of Saves The Day, The Offspring and Taking Back Sunday heard in the feisty punk-rock melodies. It immediately grabbed my attention and transported me back in time. Growing from a moody alt-rock groove into a full-on lively punk tour de force, it’s simply brilliant.

Singer Tym flexes his impressive vocal range with ease - “And don’t you ever say we’re destined to be great. It ended up exactly how it’s supposed to be, that same old classic story!” he roars in the utterly catchy refrain. Follow-up ‘If You Need It’ beams with pop-punk sunshine; its high-energy guitar riffs and bouncy rhythm make it hard not to smile with total joy. There’s a similar infectious confidence in ‘Firebreather’ although it demonstrates a more mature back-bone; something they’ve no doubt accumulated from their combined band experiences. “Life is hard enough without these complications. Don’t let them wear away the core of your ambition” the singer’s wise words resonate as the crashing drums close the strong melodic-rock number.

LISTEN // 'Firebreather'

Daytrader’s wonderful nostalgic style hits all the right buttons for me. As well as harking back to pop-punk and post-hardcore’s beginnings, there are tracks like ‘Skin & Bones’ and ‘After-Image’ which have the energy and vibe of 90’s alt-rock a la Smashing Pumpkins. Tym himself sounding rather like Billy Corgan at times in the more glum moments. “It sinks into my bones. The sinking anchor, the intolerable weight” he pensively recites in the upbeat yet melancholic choruses of the former.

‘Struggle With Me’ is a dynamic punchy tune with a bassline that battles for the limelight. The big melodic hooks are still ever present and as it leads into the Bleed American style of ‘Silver Graves’, which hits you with the force of a punch to the gut. Big, pushy and vigorous in its delivery; it’s probably one of my favourites. There’s so many great elements and yet they don’t overpower each other; drum roll rhythms, crunching riffs and a great contrast in snarling vocals over the clean melodic lines.

LISTEN // 'Silver Graves'

Aside from the bright buoyant tunes, Twelve Years also showcases the bands softer side in the acoustic ‘Heard it in a Song’. It’s a simple guitar-led ballad but with the addition of a violin it becomes a lovely poignant moment in the album. “There’s a hole in the universe and its growing, and its growing...” the frontman sings in his gentle lilt with a restrained sense of longing. ‘Letter To A Former Lover’ brings the thirty-seven minute LP to a close, at first picking up where the ballad left off; a brooding opening develops steadily before bubbling into a familiar vivacious punk-rock hit.

Much like Jesse Lacey and his Long Island crew’s early sound, the overly happy melody is cleverly laced with the sombre tale of a tumultuous relationship - “Though our ups and downs were frequent and intense, like when I wrote that letter; it said I love you to death!” the singer declares with a passionate cry in the refrain. It’s a really strong finale that ends the album with a big fat full stop. And a smiley face.

This album had “success” written all over it as soon as I became familiar with Daytrader’s brilliantly nostalgic songwriting. Twelve Years, for a debut album is so accomplished; helped partly due to the quality of its production from the noughties’ melodic-punk master himself. And if like me you relish in the sounds of the era’s naivety and hard-hitting energy, you should definitely add this to your collection.

Twelve Years is out now

Worth Listening To...

• Deadfriends
• Struggle With Me
• Silver Graves
• Letter To A Former Lover