And What A Beautiful Mess This Is

The countdown is officialy over. Picture Perfect is finally out! Have you bought the record yet? DO IT NOW - so you can listen to it while reading about it's amazing-ness. I have had it on repeat since last night. Not kidding. Because I don't have school today, I might as well write my first album review ever. Shall we?

Just a year and a half ago, Every Avenue released their debut album, Shh. Just Go With It, under Fearless Records. Every Avenue has sold over 20,000 copies and toured all over the world. Anyone who has seen them live knows that they have a deep passion for music and always put their all in what they do, making their sets energetic and fun. Words couldn't really describe how excited I was when I found out that they were recording a new album, which also happens to be the Sophmore release. I'll admit that I was kind of nervous. Many bands have been labeled as a "Sophmore Slump" after releasing their second album. Meaning that the second album failed to live up to the standards of the first album. Every Avenue's Picture Perfect is everything but a "Sophmore Slump".  

Track Listing:
1. For Always, Forever
2. Mindset
3. Tell Me I'm A Wreck
4. Picture Perfect
5. Happy The Hard Way
6. Girl Like That
7. Saying Goodbye
8. Finish What You Started
9. I Forgive You
10. The Story Left Untold
11. Clumsy Little Heart

 The opening track, "For Always, Forever",  has very descripitive lyrics, painting a picture in listener's heads. The catchy beats and references of growing up in Michigan makes this song easy to relate too.

"The Story Left Untold", and "Happy The Hard Way" are the slower, softer songs - similar to "Between You and I" from Shh. Just Go With It. 

Although Every Avenue is starting to develop their own sound, songs like "Mindset", "Tell Me I'm A Wreck", and "Saying Goodbye" reminds listeners of the songs from their debut album.

 "Finish What You Started" and "I Forgive You" are somewhat predictable songs, but still good. Listening to the rifts and guitar solo in the last and final track, "Clumsy Little Heart" still amazes me.

Compared to Shh. Just Go With It, Every Avenue has definitely developed their own sound and matured as musicians  by using different time, key changes, and using everyones voice ("Girl Like That" at 2:15) while sticking to the pop-rock style. Each song still has the catchy hooks, rifts, and choruses that Every Avenue is known for. Kudos for Mitch Allen (Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill) and Mike Green ((Paramore, Breathe Carolina, Set Your Goals), who produced this record.

So there you go. My first album review. Picture Perfect isn't just another pop punk release, but an excellent, solid sophmore effort. There is not one song I don't like. The record is definitely worth buying so go buy it! It's on sale for $7.99 at Target until November 18. It's worth every penny you pay for.

 <3Jenny