Album Review: A Day To Remember - 'For Those Who Have Heart (CD/DVD Re-release)'

What do you get when you crossbreed bouncy pop punk with chugging metalcore? Why, you get A Day To Remember, that’s what. Yes, I’m well aware that this musical amalgamation sounds horrible on paper but ADTR have succeeded where so many other bands have failed… they’ve actually made this formula work!

As far as musical progression goes ADTR aren’t exactly setting the world on fire. They aren’t here to push boundaries and I’m sure they don’t expect to be held in the same high regard as The Beatles anytime soon. They are simply here to have a good time and play fun, energetic music and I for one can’t fault for them that.

Not only is “For Those Who Have Heart” a highly enjoyable album, but as one of Victory Records re-releases it comes with a slew of bonus features to ensure you’ve got your moneys worth. Updated versions of two older (from their debut on Indianola Records) songs make an appearance, as well as a Kelly Clarkson cover (laugh now but this is pretty cool) and a brand new song, the impressive “Why Walk On Water When We Have Boats”.  

The short, sharp burst that is “Fast Forward To 2012” is the album’s lead track and it only takes sixty seconds to sum up what ADTR are all about. I’m all for listening to challenging and provocative music but sometimes you want something that’s simple and easy to enjoy, so if that sounds like you then you’ll most definitely enjoy this track.

“Speak Of The Devil” shows how strong Jeremy McKinnon’s voice is, effortlessly switching between throaty growls and catchy chorus hooks. I know the sing/scream thing has been done to death over the last few years but this guy has a great set of pipes of him. For the cynics out there, watch the accompanying DVD and you’ll see that Jeremy can pull off his vocal parts in the live setting as well he does in the studio. For Those Who Have Heart’s first single is “The Danger In Starting A Fire” and although the song features some impressive melodies the overuse of the same breakdown does get a little tedious towards the end, however the pogo friendly “The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle” more than makes up for the previous song’s shortcomings.  

Driving rhythms are the order of the day when it comes to “Monument”, a song which features one hell of a chorus, one that is only beaten by the falsetto lead of “Colder Than My Heart, If You Can Imagine”. When was the last time you heard a hook that mixed up a croon with gang vocals? Yep, you guessed it, A Day To Remember have that covered as well.

“Show ‘Em The Ropes” and “Here’s To The Past” are both a return to the double time punk of the album’s opener while “A Shot In The Dark” makes the most of its rock n roll tempo. Now, the bonus tracks. The higher quality recording’s of “Heartless” and “You Should’ve Killed Me” give both songs a new lease of life as well as showing that ADTR have been more than capable song writers from the get go.