This Years Winner Is - Audiobiography - Review

I think it’s fair to say that This Years Winner Is has never lacked the confidence and belief that they have what takes to become a recognised band. Along with the obvious name references, their previous EP ‘In At The Weekend’ (which I reviewed on this very blog way back in February 2011 (READ THAT REVIEW HERE)) contained a very telling lyric on the track ‘Onwards to Onchan.’

‘This is the year that we make it or disappear.’

Well, make it they didn’t and disappear they almost did. While the EP was well received by various critics, music sites and fans alike, the wind in the sails of TYWI seemed to run out and they announced the dreaded hiatus that has spelt the doom of many-a-band (including my own).

With Dario Leonetti and Ashley Hogg replacing Ethan and Stu on guitar and bass respectively the band have definitely come a long way since ‘In At The Weekend.’ The new album ‘Audiobiography’ drops on October 22^nd and I have the pleasure of writing the first review IN THE WORLD!

And it’s been well worth the wait. It makes me think I was a little generous giving the previous EP such a high score because this is leagues ahead of anything TYWI have done so far. The gulf in progression between these two releases really is incredible.

One thing that has remained a constant high in all of TYWI’s previous work though, has been the drums. Once again, Darren excels and brings the whole thing together. I really cannot fault this guy. I’ve literally run out of superlatives of his quality and have nothing else to add. Seriously, just listen and you’ll get what I mean.

There are some marked improvements too. When ‘In At The Weekend’ came out, it was full of huge breakdowns and chugging verses. This was fine when the new wave of easycore bands like Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! and With The Punches were slaying over fans with the heaviest breakdowns pop-punk had ever heard but times are-a-changing and a song is no longer simply defined by who’s got the biggest breakdown. Never fear mosh fans, the breakdowns are still present in ‘Audiobiography’ but they feel much more organic rather than just being sandwiched in just to brootal your face off.

I also had a few minor criticisms about Elliot’s vocals in the previous effort but he has really stepped things up. The power and maturity he has developed is an incredible improvement and while there’s still an American-twang there, it doesn’t take anything away. I mean seriously, find me a pop-punk band that sounds truly British. His style has grown a definite bite to it and he spits off lyrics with effortless ease. The inclusion of the keys and synth add a really rich layer too.

A big shout also needs to go to Nick Scholey, with who the band recorded the album. It’s no coincidence that the production quality of TYWI’s tracks has improved from their earlier EP’s ‘Always Goes Down Smooth’ and ‘In At The Weekend’ and now to ‘Audiobiography.’ It seems that both band and the man behind the glass have been maturing their skills together and have now created what could be a lift-off point for them both. The sounds production of this album was so good it inspired me to go out and buy new headphones so I could enjoy the beauty of it in a higher definition of audio amazingness.

The easycore, pop-punk labels will inevitably lead to comparisons to Me Vs. Hero and Four Year Strong but I personally compare this album to something like New Found Glory’s ‘Coming Home’ album and there’s also just a good, solid ROCK sound to ‘Audiobiography’ that TYWI have been missing.  Guitar bands have a tough time ever breaking into a mainstream setting but with this awesomely cool rock edge, I genuinely feel this has potential of actually making an impact on the pop charts, albeit on the lower end of scale. That said, this would still be an enormous achievement for this band.

As I’m obligated from my reviewer’s standpoint, I’m going to have to find negatives and it’s a big ask. There are a lot of bands who use a shorter song to open the album and TYWI did just that with ‘Raise The Stakes’ on IATW. This is repeated on ‘Audiobiography’ with ‘On With The Show’ and while it’s a good song I don’t feel it’s entirely necessary. I think track two, ‘Let’s Not Do That Again’ more than showcases TYWI’s new sound and direction and I just feel that ‘On With The Show’ sounds more like their old efforts.

While the lyrics have sharply improved there are still a few classic pop-punk clichéd lines and several references to wishing wells that seem vaguely familiar from songs of the past but on the whole they’re solid.

That really is as much as I can say on the negatives as the rest of the album flies by completely loaded with awesome songs. Whether you’re after the punky verses of ‘Routes,’ the infectiously sing-a-long-able choruses of ‘Elements’ or Don’t Go Now or just want to thrash the fuck out to the breakdowns in ‘Better Altogether,’ then this album has to be on your radar.

On ‘Always Leaving…’ TYWI flex their industry contacts by roping in fellow Isle-of-Man’er Harry Radford from the Scottish/American/Manx post-hardcore outfit, Yashin and he and Elliot bounce off one another to create another great song. The only bit I don’t really dig is when Harry and Elliot do a kind of orgasmo vocal sign-off at the end. It just creeped me out a little.

While many may see living on a fairly isolated and rainy island limiting to a band’s progression, I’m of the belief that it can also motivate and inspire. Yeah, if TYWI came from the mainland maybe they would have already made a bigger impact on the UK scene but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they would be the same band. You see, there’s no half-arseing when you’re cut off. If you really want it then you have to work 

harder.

This really has to be the year they make it or disappear. If success was judged on how good your album is then TYWI would be making waves already. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy and the boys are going to have to work so hard if they want to make it happen for themselves. However, with this astonishing album behind them and the strong work ethic I know they possess, it is entirely possible that these boys could be sharing the stage with the likes of Kids in Glass Houses, Mayday Parade or even You Me At Six by the time the year is out.

I don't give a fuck, I'm giving this album a solid
5 out of 5

big woop, wanna fight about it?

This Years Winner Is... - Routes