The Story Changes - Static And Trembling (Album Review)

Before I even discuss the great songwriting (which it has), the stellar vocal performance (which it also has), I have to take a moment and talk about the production and mixing of the new The Story Changes albums Static And Trembling. The production on this album absolutely makes this album a beast. Produced by Micah Carli (Hawthorne Heights) it's almost just as big of an accomplishment of his as a producer as it is The Story Changes. The way everything is mixed and the tones just fit the batch of songs on the album so well. Jamie Woolfrood who has previously worked with Punchline and Gin Blossoms did a nice job. When I first heard this album sampler clips on youtube I instantly went to my anticipating list and added it. The bright artwork and solid clips was exactly the type of thing I knew I would want to hear.

The sound was meant to be influenced by late 90s alternative and punk and it succeeds so well in the sound and production, but it feels so fresh as well. When so many bands are aping Nirvana riffs left and right these days The Story Changes album doesn't necessarily sound like any 90s band. Instead the songs feel and sound authentic and original it just has the tip to the 90s production. The guitars are clean with just a little of that 90s crunch. For the most part I feel like sonically they drive a lot of the album. They do a great job sounding heavy while sounding so smooth at the same time. Lyrically and vocally I really like the album and the direction the band took with it. Mark McMillon has written some really solid lyrics for this album that have sing-along-able and shout-along-with moments. The drumming throughout is really nice and provides a good solid backbone to the album as well.

"Nobody's Poet" is a standout track for the album and a pretty good representation of what the band does on this album. It has a melodic introduction but then the track kicks in with the heavy 90s influenced guitar riffs in the last minute or so of the song. "Hash Tags And Therapist" is a more upbeat track and in a way the music reminds me of something Sugar Ray might have pulled off earlier in their career (at one point Sugar Ray did have quite a few heavy riffs). The song has a nice strong vocal performance. The drums are thunderous throughout the track and McMillon's melodic punk vocals are the icing on the cake. "In Too Deep" is one of the more somber tracks on the album. It is led by the acoustic guitar and vocals of McMillon and features some really well done backup vocals. The interlude on the album is really interesting and it almost has a Nine Inch Nails vibe to it. It might feel out of place on the album because it sounds so different than anything else. Honestly where it is placed on the album offers kind of a cool different sound near the end. It definitely is an interesting experimental moment and I thought it was a neat inclusion.

This album will definitely put The Story Changes on many people’s radars. They rightfully deserve to be there. This album has been one of the biggest surprises so far to me this year. This is easily my favorite album the band has ever released. It totally caught me off guard. From the artwork to the music it just sounds so great and is so well done. If you haven't guessed I'm saying this one is good. Do yourself a favor and go purchase it immediately.