There are no songs that speak directly about Bayside drummer John “Beatz” Holohan’s 2005 van accident death. But when vocalist Anthony Raneri admits, “I’m so tired of getting out of bed” during opener/title cut “The Walking Wounded”, it’s not hard to pick up on their overtly grievous collective depression. Raneri is nearly a dead ringer for The Smoking Popes’ singer Josh Caterer - a little nasal-y and a mite quivery - but whereas Caterer channels his emotions into lost love Raneri is focused on trying to live everyday life to the fullest; nee “I and I / We’re taking control of our lives” from “I and I”. The Walking Wounded was produced, engineered and mixed by Shep Goodman and Kenny Gioia, a pair that provides Bayside a clean and forceful sonic scheme with which to play. Guitars ring with power chords without ever drowning out Raneri’s sensitive voice, but when Bayside incorporates guitar solos, as they do on “Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem” they often come out like pop-metal fret exercises. Thankfully, their newest work steers clear of both Night Ranger fluff and Robert Smith-ian death march territory. Instead, they’re just regular guys dealing with pain.
~ Dan MacIntosh
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