In the Wake of Determination

For its sophomore album, Story of the Year amped up its already ample energy and created an edgier, harder-rocking disc than its debut. Although slightly less radio-ready than 2003's Page Avenue, the new In The Wake of Determination is a fantastic follow-up album that is certain to please fans.

The hard-hitting "We Don't Care Anymore" kicks off this batch of a dozen tracks, and it is one of a handful of songs that links the two albums together. The song carries a bit of the same pop polish that gave Page Avenue its glossy sheen, and it's a nice segue into some new sounds. The song is clearly based on their recent experiences in the music world and talks about taking action because it's what they want to do -- not because it's what someone else expects. It captures the feeling of life in the fishbowl of rising fame with a blend of frustration and determination.

"Our Time is Now" is cut from the same attitude; on this thundering track, they vow to make something of themselves against all odds. It could apply to anyone at any stage in life who decides to remain true to a dream and push forward, regardless of what anyone else says about it.

The hypnotic "Sleep" is a surprisingly gentle track from this screaming band. Again drawn from experience, it is about life on the road, following an endless succession of dotted lines down an eternal path of pavement. It's a simple song, completely different from the rest of the disc, and it provides a nice musical side-trip from the rest of the album's crushing intensity.

On "Meathead," Story of the Year pays homage to -- or rather, pokes fun at -- the stereotypical muscle head jock. It's written in the style that the boys in the band grew up with; rich with rapid, punk-rock riffs and clipped phrases. Their assault on the so-called "jock manifesto" is a well aimed blow that hits the target with speed and accuracy, and is easily going to find its way onto plenty of iPod playlists.

"Wake Up the Voiceless" again takes up the cause for the underdog while also drawing lessons from the price paid for fame. Looking at the struggle to find personal and artistic freedom while executives look only at the profits, this song finds them defiant and unwilling to buy into the game of fame. It carries some definite '80s influences, right down to the pop beat that all but disappears on the chorus.

Since releasing their debut album two years ago, Story of the Year obviously has learned plenty of lessons, both musical and personal. In The Wake of Determination is an intriguing musical diary of that journey, and whatever struggles they may have lost now have become the listener's gain.

By Paula Felps