Audio By Carbonatix
Guilt is a powerful motivator. We feel it whenever we spin Count the Stars’ Never Be Taken Alive, the baby-faced, just-past-jailbait New York band’s debut on Victory Records. Its sing-along rock, pop punk, splash-of-emo tunes are highlighted with riffs stolen straight from ’80s guitar tabs. But whatever guilt we feel for liking it–and it’s strong, trust us–Victory Records’ guilt must be worse. Home traditionally to hardcore bands, the Chicago label has taken some slack lately for signing Count the Stars and their fluffy, bouncy labelmates The Reunion Show. And the criticism is not undeserved. Count the Stars and, likewise, Never Be Taken Alive are full of all the clichés: the stop-to-clap bridges, the full-neck guitar slides, that enthusiastic “whooo” all the young punky bands use as filler and, of course, the tattoos, the battered Chucks and messy hair. But here’s the conundrum: We still like it. Granted, you’ll never find it in our car, or in the stacks next to The Broadways. But the songs are a bit more clever than those other radio-friendly, bound-for-TRL punkers. The songs aren’t just about girls; they’re about independence, more like anthems than notes passed in study hall, both cocky and a tad heart-on-the-sleeveless-vintage-rock-tour-T-shirt. There’s nothing new or innovative here. But maybe that’s part of the attraction.
When news happens, Dallas Observer is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
