Matchbook Romance
Stories and Alibis

Epitaph Records
Release Date: September 23, 2003

After hearing the first single from Matchbook Romance, “Promise,” I was immediately hooked.  I can assure you of the diversity found in each song, and if you “try them on.” they will certainly fit.  Talk about a natural high – Matchbook Romance delivers that and so much more.  Each song is like a puzzle piece.  Every piece is unique, yet they all fit together to form one amazing picture, or album in this case.

Although I can truly say that MBR’s newest release is an improvement from the previous, I cannot deny that it follows its genre’s reputation of sounding similar to other bands. The first full-length CD, Stories and Alibis, is comparable to the dynamics of Autopilot Off and offers the listener a taste of raw emotion found in bands like Dashboard Confessional and Brand New. Fans of Story of the Year could easily enjoy this album, regardless of the absence of heart-wrenching screams. The rhythm varies from slow and mellow, to fast and pop-punky, offering the best of both worlds. Different from their EP, West For Wishing, which had the sound of modern post-hardcore, this album is becoming highly recognizable within the national scene.

“Promise” offers the surprise of a hard-driven chorus after a serene guitar introduction and light, rhythmic drum beats by Aaron Stern. Not knowing what to expect initially, I was quite satisfied. The lyrics in “Tiger Lily” reach into the deepest parts of your soul and manage to make you want to sing along. Lead singer Andrew Jordan created the perfect words to capture your attention, while lead guitarist Ryan “Judas” DePaolo backs up those smooth vocals with more than adequate strumming. Andrew soothingly sings out lyrics such as: “The time flies by with the sound of your voice. It’s close to paradise with the end surely near, and if I could only stop the car and hold onto you, and never let go. I’ll never let go…”

With a few line-up/name changes since the band’s beginning in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1997, MBR has the ability to climb the charts. "[We] bring a lot of emotion and power to the music," Ryan Kienle, bass and vocals, says. "Something we thrive on as a band. We bridge the gap, taking the best of [pop-punk and screamo] and making something of our own. We reach for that solid hook but, at the same time, try to work in that crazy offset, that little extra kick to the song."

The album packaging is journal-like and reminiscent of old-fashioned English script. The lyrics are dated, and written in journal fashion. The booklet appears yellow and stained, accentuating the style found in the packaging enclosing the CD.

In conclusion, Matchbook Romance will be sure to ignite your ears with emotional bliss.

XROXX Album Rating:  XXXX  (4 X’s out of a possible 5 X’s)

Gisele Bigras
writer@XROXX.com