Review: Bayside ‘Cult’ (2014)

Bayside
Cult
Hopeless Records (2014)

Score: 9/10

In late 2013, New York punk giants Bayside posted a series of cryptic images to their Instagram and Twitter accounts.  The images were various symbols from records that spanned the band’s entire discography.  This left fans speculating: was this foretelling their long-awaited sixth album, or would it simply be a “greatest hits” collection?  Soon after, the exciting announcement came that their latest album of new material, Cult, would be released on February 18th through Hopeless Records.

The latest chapter in the Bayside saga opens with the pounding drums of “Big Cheese” and right from the beginning, seasoned fans will notice that this isn’t the same Bayside they’ve come to know and love over the years.  Sure, the band hasn’t strayed far from their punk rock roots with Jack O’Shea’s brilliant guitar work, but a big change lies in the lyrics.  Rather than their common lyrical theme of failed romantic relationships, vocalist Anthony Raneri addresses the disposability of bands in his genre in the opener’s chorus, “I love to be wanted / but all I wanted is to be loved / Is that so much? / To be remembered and never swept under the rug.” These more mature, existential themes are present throughout the entire album and they’re delivered with supreme confidence.  “Time Has Come” leaves Raneri questioning his roles as an artist and a musician; “I’m short on time but here’s my intention / Raise my voice to get your attention.”  Raneri focuses on the sanctimony of the music industry (in “Stuttering”) and his role as a pawn in the grand scheme of it all (in “Bear With Me”).  It’s really this bold shift in lyrical content that separates Cult from the rest of the band’s catalog, and in the end, this was a risk worth taking.

Sonically, Cult is an amalgamation of Bayside’s memorable traits.  It’s got the energy of Silences and Condolences and their self-titled release, the dark melodic contours of The Walking Wounded and Shudder, and the experimental nature of their most recent effort, Killing Time.  The band reflects the confidence brought on by Raneri’s performance.  Unconventional time signatures and blistering guitar solos from O’Shea, especially in the lead single “Pigsty,” show that the band is still willing to take risks.

In my opinion, Cult stands as one of Bayside’s strongest, most satisfying releases.  Don’t miss this.

Bayside plays the Hard Rock Live (in the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip) on March 19, 2014 with Four Year Strong, Daylight and Mixtapes. Tickets for that show can be purchased here

About the author  ⁄ Ian Caramanzana

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