Maybe you, you should have tried harder...

"Hold On Tight" by Hey Monday

OVERALL: Hey Monday reminds me a lot of Paramore. And many of their songs have the same beginnings as other band's older songs so it sometimes gives the impression that Hey Monday are just following the crowd.  But if you can forget the sense of deja vu and if you like the sugar-coated teenage world then Hey Monday is worth a listen. They are not bad, they just have a habit of being unoriginal. There are a few tracks I would recommend purchasing but I would refrain from suggesting you purchase the whole album. 

track 1: Set Off

First thoughts....Great drum intro. Set Off reminded me of a song I had heard before, although I can't quite place the song. The instrumentation was standard, nothing really distinguished it. Catchy, repetitive lyrics. Anthem!

Sounds like....Say It Aint So

track 2: How You Love Me

First thoughts...Strong lead female vocals, uninteresting drums.  'whoa-oh whoa-oh' will be stuck in my head all night long... 

track 3: Homecoming

First thoughts....I like this song. It tells a story that is easily relatable to by many girls, or so I think. Strong rocking guitar. 

Sounds Like....Pocketful of Sunshine

track 4: Obvious

First thoughts....Catchy. I love the vocals near the end where most of the instruments cut out. 

track 5: Candles

First thoughts....Beautiful piano-driven intro. Once again, the repetitive tune is featured prominently in this track. Lots of showy fluff and effects in this song, but a decent song none-the-less. 

track 6: Run, Don't Walk

First thoughts....Awesome electro-intro. Synthesizing toward the end is an interesting touch. I am loving this song. The lyrics, the guitar, everything seems to fit. Energetic and forceful vocals with excellent drum emphasis. 

Look at the lyrics...I LOVE THE LYRICS!

"For the record, when I'm with you

Things are looking better
For once everything is brighter
Than the darkness before you"

track 7: Josey

First thoughts....I would listen to this song hanging out with my friends and having a dance party. 

track 8: Hurricane Streets

First thoughts....Nice harmony from the get-go. Traditional instrumentation with some interesting guitar lines after the first chorus. A nice listen, nothing jumped out at me though.

track 9: Arizona

First thoughts....Strong female vocals. Lyrics are easy to relate to. Nothing terribly original. 

track 10: Should've Tried Harder

First thoughts....Awesome intro! The momentum was kind of lost after the beginning but the lyrics were good and the vocals were strong as always. This is an anthem track for so many girls I know and is easily a fun track to listen to. Especially for those "I Hate Boys" nights. :D

track 11: 6 Months

First thoughts....A lyrical ballad, 6 months is a break from the bubble-gum pop rock of the rest of the album and lets the vocals steal the show. The tune is easily stuck in your head and it talks about the drama of dating and breaking-up. 

Like it, hate it, agree, disagree? Let me and other readers know in the comments section!