Epitaph
In this post-hardcore Warped-tour world Story of the Year was always going to have a hard time topping its debut single “Until the Day I Die.” Seven years later it still hasn’t. “The Ghost of You and I” from The Constant comes close but that’s only because structurally the song hits all the same signposts.
The album has its moments though. Muscular opener “The Children Sing” has epic potential even if it’s diminished by the kids’ choir in the chorus. “I’m Alive” and “Holding on to You” see the band embracing its pop side and “Remember a Time” tops anything Weezer has done on its last two discs. The problem with The Constant is that on the whole it’s flat. If you want paint-by-numbers pop-punk it’s OK but if you want something that’s going to resonate that’s another story.
