Send "Motion City Soundtrack " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Absolutepunk |
 When Motion City Soundtrack released their third studio album Even If It Kills Me in 2007, a minor backlash from fans (claiming the band's darker days were behind them) ensued. Even If It Kills Me boasts an album-long poppier, friendlier sound than the most mainstream tracks from either of their previous releases. Although the LP was by no means panned, it was universally received (and still is, considering My Dinosaur Life garnered rave reviews) as the bands weakest album, and a step backwards both emotionally and technically from lead-vocalist Justin Pierre and crew.I have never understood this. The Dark Knight may not have the raw potency of a gripping redemption story, or the brooding sensibilities of its predecessor, but does its ability to appeal to both a mass audience and die hard film or batman fans make it any less a masterpiece? Does Motion City's attempt at pleasing a wider audience with songs that are likelier to burrow themselves in your head take away from the fact that the lyrics, vocals, and overall passion exemplified by this album live up to, and are often strides forward from, the bands prior works? There is not a moment in time whilst listening to this album that I felt cheated by Pierre and his team. The lyrics soar ("What a disaster it would be if you discovered that I cared/A little too much for friends but not enough to share") and Justin's voice has never sounded better. The album opener, "Fell In Love Without You" may be the weakest track on the entire disc, (isn't it strange how often singles turn out to be less impressive than the entirety of the rest of an album?) but even it is solid enough to warrant repeat listenings. Track 4, "Last Night," is one of the band's all-time greatest achievements, a gorgeous blend of restrained instrumentation, awe-inspiring vocals, and heart-wrenching lyrics "My body aches it heaves it shakes/All somersaults through so-called art/And I still don't know exactly who I am/I never will/amen." Easy as it is to quote lyrics like that on a Facebook wall, I can't help but marvel at the bravery it takes just to write something like that and know that it will be exposed to all of your family and friends for all of time....full text |
| Musicemissions |
| When they first started unleashing their bubbly brand of colourful pop punk and mild rock that builds around the demonstrative and clearly lofted vocals of the quirky character, Justin Pierre many thought that whilst they were fresh, spirited and uplifting they had a slight throway nature and their chances of consistency were slim-to-none. A few years ago, through ‘Commit This To Memory’ the seeds were planted a for more serious and brooding direction, but it still possessed enough of their quaintness and guitar driven alternative nudge that was prevalent enough to appease their grassroots crew. Now, Even If It Kills Me, their third album brings about the full transition to serious, searching mid-tempo rock and tactically placed mournful and streaming piano touches. It clearly shows that Motion City Soundtrack now want to be taken seriously. Although, ‘Fell In Love’ eases people into their new way with tenderised subject matter. Moog, guitar and percussion bolstering represents traces of the pace switching indie punk that has littered their previous two albums. The chorus bursting base is still very much prevalent, ‘This Is For Real’ and Joshua Cain continues to boost his reputation, as a roving guitar craftsman to match almost any contemporary. This coming of age full length, draws together the vocal power and instrumental range, thrust and tempo switches to decorate the presence of a deeper and mature lyrical searching. A streaming piano trickle that leads into ‘Broken Heart’, provides the subtle cushion for Pierre to eloquently convey their proud lyrical advances with an autobiographical kick;...full text |
| Popmatters |
| Motion City Soundtrack is pop-punk’s quintessential pop-rock band. While their quirky synths, catchy-as-hell choruses, and bouncy guitars have always painted a florescent pink background, it’s their honestly simple lyrics that make Minneapolis’s most interesting five-piece so attractive. So attractive that they have won over the likes of every famous pop-punker that cover your little sister’s walls. From Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus to Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, it has become nearly impossible to find a high-profile girl-jean wearing stud that hasn’t, at one point, name-dropped the lads from Motion City. And it even extends to the executives too. Their debut, I Am the Movie, was quickly picked up by powerhouse indie Epitaph, and their follow up, Commit This to Memory generated the WB-lovin’ moderate hit “Everything Is Alright”. Both albums featured guest spots from the aforementioned Hoppus and Stump. The former even manned the boards for MCS’s second effort. Both albums aimed the spotlight at the band’s signature keyboard-driven sound and lead-singer Justin Pierre’s high-pitched tone. And while both certainly gained the band a much wider allegiance of fans, neither release could be considered groundbreaking by any means....full text |
Motion City Soundtrack lyrics
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