Social Code - Year at the Movies (CD)

All Music Guide

Canadian quartet Social Code is a raging postgrunge alternative rock act trapped in the body of a poppunk band: A Year at the Movies is full of the aforementioned rockers brimming with the latter's emolike lyrics. These are then spouted by a gravelly Travis Nesbitt, no doubt singing live to masses of Good Charlotte and Billy Talent tshirts. The guys are nearly a rehash of late '90s club pleasers Lit and SR71, though with a youthful exuberance (regardless of whatever their ages may be) big enough for arenas. Seeing as Social Code originally came together in 1999, though, it's probably fitting all the same. Huge chords, lofty choruses, crunching guitars, and bashing drums may all combine for each attitudefueled track, but the band also manages to indulge their sensitive side in the powerangst of tracks like "Gone Away," "I Was Wrong" and "Perfect Grave." "Beautiful" is a riffbouncing, invigorating mix of passionate vocals and driving rhythms supported by an amusing background section of ...shouted "Bahm Bahm Bahm" that's near impossible to not bop along to, while "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" includes a soaring chorus on top of tumbling drum beats and the inclusion of occasional screams (hah, get it?). The empowered "Cats and Dogs" is largely propelled by spirited background vocals, and at track number four, somewhat marks the end of the album's most distinctive tracks. The rest of the album is more than competent, albeit standard rock, presumably helped along in part by Jeff Blue's clean production touch and the expert mixing skills of Mark Trombino (blink182, Jimmy Eat World). Everything seems to rise, explode and put itself back together repeatedly with both precision and skill. Because Social Code is hardly playing anything new, it almost feels wrong to enjoy the overall album as much as you do. But hey, sometimes it's better to just ignore the guilt and singalong. - Corey Apar, All Music Guide Read more Less