Review of A Day To Remember’s ‘Big Ole Album Vol. 1’
A Day To Remember brought a lot of transformations with “You’re Welcome.” It marked their shift to Fueled By Ramen and introduced a new sound. Departing from their perfected fusion of pop-punk and metalcore, found in “Homesick,” “What Separates Me From You,” and “Common Courtesy,” “You’re Welcome” took a dive into contemporary metalcore and radio-rock. This drastic alteration was met with discontent from their fanbase, culminating in a shift in perception towards the band.
The announcement of “Big Ole Album Vol. 1” attempted to recapture the acclaim of “Common Courtesy,” their most lauded album, with another surprise physical-first release before streaming. Users could view this as either a band revitalizing the traditional album release or one attempting a headline-grabbing strategy to recover from recent disappointments. The perception of A Day To Remember has drastically changed due to these recent missteps, leading listeners to question their consistency in producing quality music. Their affiliation with Fueled By Ramen adds another layer of complexity, as it’s a label that tends to mismanage non-flagship acts.
However, instead of directing their frustration towards external forces like label politics, A Day To Remember’s critique seems targeted at their audience. The negativity surrounding “You’re Welcome” was amplified by feelings of betrayal and was subsequently reflected in the backlash against the album. “Big Ole Album…” continues this narrative of spite, evident in tracks like “Feedback” and “LeBron,” which lash out at haters and critics. This defensive stance from A Day To Remember is uncharacteristic for a band of their stature, and it detracts from the overall listening experience.
The themes of confrontation and antagonism permeate the album, as seen in tracks like “Make It Make Sense” and “To The Death.” Jeremy McKinnon’s aggressive delivery and confrontational lyrics maintain a pervasive tone of animosity throughout the record. Even instrumentally, “Big Ole Album…” enforces the contentious atmosphere by doubling down on controversial elements from their previous effort. This combative approach may be seen as an attempt to provoke a reaction from detractors, but it ends up highlighting the band’s departure from their signature style.
While the execution of this metalcore sound is commendable, it feels derivative when compared to other bands in the genre. A Day To Remember’s emulation of their contemporaries’ styles results in a creatively stagnant approach that lacks the dynamism and innovation seen in their earlier works. This shift towards a more standardized sound not only diminishes the band’s uniqueness but also raises questions about their artistic integrity. Tracks like “To The Death” and “Silence” echo the accusations of selling out, where critics argue that the band is straying from their authentic sound to appeal to a broader audience. Ultimately, “Big Ole Album Vol. 1” showcases a band grappling with their artistic identity while navigating the complexities of the modern music industry.