It’s been 3 years since we last heard from A Day to Remember. Common Courtesy opens with track; City of Ocala. This starts with a rebellious “Fuck Yeah” and from the get go the obvious ADTR trademarks are on full view including the catchy pop hooks, pounding punk rock beats, breakdown style choruses, with lyrics in relation to their home town.
Right Back At It Again carries on in the same vein as the premier track and is a highlight of the album. This track will become a feature of their set from now on no doubt about it, especially with the sing along chorus and the breakdown after Jeremy’s demonic “Brace for impact” which by rights should get any dance floor moving.
Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail and Dead and Buried showcase the traditional ADTR sound with Jeremy’s scathing to angelic vocals, moshtastic hardcore, gang vocals, and the ubiquitous pop punk melodies found on their previous work.
Best of Me has stadium rock stamped all over it. The verses are heartfelt; the chorus has a massive sounding one for all, all for one fist in the air kind of vibe, and there’s plenty of mosh to go around in the breakdowns.
ADTR’s softer side gets an outing on the following track I’m Already Gone. The track itself is just a progression from the softer tracks from Homesick but this song contains a refrain so saccharine it will get stuck in your head for days.
The abrasive Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way lasts a punchy 2 minutes 17 seconds, and it recalls early ADTR at their very best. This is no bad thing containing chug guitars, ferocious drums, and devilish vocals.
I Remember closes the album and could be one of the greatest album closers ADTR have written. There is so much promise and hope on show in this song, which hopefully the band will go on to fulfil.
The Ocala based quintet seems to have almost perfected the sonic balance on this record, with something for everyone on show.
8/10
