Rating:
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 07/07/2009

The ultimate goal of a debut album should be to set a band apart from its peers, but it appears that Forever the Sickest Kids have missed that point with Underdog Alma Mater. The album presents Forever the Sickest Kids as decidedly average, with little that makes them stand out from fellow punk-pop/emo groups other than a slightly brighter sound. True, not every band can come out with groundbreaking works right out of the gate, but Underdog Alma Mater has a paint-by-numbers feel that makes it seem like the bandmembers aren't sure how to set themselves apart. The most obvious example is lead singer Jonathan Cook, who bases his delivery, intentionally or not, on that of Panic at the Disco's Brendon Urie -- what's to be gained if Cook and the rest of the band are content to follow the lead of groups that have gone before without treading new ground or finding their own niche? It leads to songs like "She's a Lady," a bad relationship ditty that sounds like it could be an outtake from any number of groups, and "Coffee Break," a melodramatic tune that wrenches every last bit of angst from verses about over-connected youth ("I'm turning my cell off just to breathe/'Cause everyone I know just keeps calling me"), anxiety about growing up, and even the worry that "my mom hates my guts." Other times, as on "Breakdown," the group sounds unenthusiastic, although there are bright spots, like the light and bouncy "Uh Huh." [The album was reissued with a bonus DVD and a handful of added tracks including remixes, demos, and a cover of Taylor Swift's "Love Story."]

~Katherine Fulton, All Music Guide

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Austin Bello - Bass
Kyle Burns - Producer
Jeff Turzo - Keyboards
Marc Stewart - Guitar
Austin Bello - Group Member
Shep Goodman - A&R
Meredeth Oliver - A&R
Kyle Burns - Illustrations
Geoff Rockwell - Producer
Greg Suran - Guitar
Caleb Turman - Group Member
Jeff Turzo - Producer
Ken Gioia - Mixing
Caleb Turman - Guitar
Evan Hunt - Photography
Caleb Turman - Vocals
Matt Squire - Producer
Kevin Reeves - Mastering
Femio Hernández - Assistant
Matt Mahaffey - Producer
Shane Drake - Director
Eric Stenman - Engineer
Kyle Burns - Filmmaker
Matt Squire - Engineer
Matt Mahaffey - Engineer
Eric Stenman - Digital Editing
Tom Coyne - Mastering
Kyle Burns - Cover Art Concept
Tom Lord-Alge - Mixing
Matt Mahaffey - Keyboards
Kyle Burns - Drums
Marc Stewart - Group Member
Kyle Burns - Engineer
Austin Bello - Vocals
Jeff Turzo - Engineer
Kyle Burns - Group Member
Jennifer Beal - Production Director

Release Date: 07/07/2009
Genre: rock