Bayside’s new album, Acoustic Volume 2, was released on Sept. 28, 2018 via Hopeless Records, and shows their talent in a new light with emphasis on expressive instrumentation and the vocals of front man, Anthony Raneri.
Bayside joined the ranks of alternative rock 18 years ago and have since gained an impressive following, often referred to as The Cult. The dedication of fans is echoed by the band themselves; they pour their heart and soul into their music, giving you a glimpse inside of their own worlds, which makes it that much more relatable to listeners. Acoustic volume 2 makes the bands 8th studio album, and while they maintain a similar theme, this newest release shows not only that they can take their artistic abilities to a new level but they can undoubtedly transform it into something more powerful than it was before, yet with softer and more melodramatic instrumentation, changing the vibe altogether.
The playlist consists of several familiar tracks like “I can’t go on”, “Blame it on Bad Luck”, “Duality” and “Pigsty”, all of which still pack a powerful punch lyrically, but the new sound can trick you into believing you are listening to something completely new. Only one new song joined the other titles, but it’s definitely one that deserves mentioning. “It Don’t Exist” was released just ahead of the album and is soberly thoughtful, melancholic and real. The raw, emotional lyrics and clean, rhythmic instrumentals let your ears focus more clearly on the message, cover to cover. It’s easy to feel as if you are sitting on a bar stool, near the stage and sipping on a cold one, while Bayside plays you an acoustic song.
Punk rock lives on with Bayside and these guys know what they’re doing. Just shy of two decades and they’re still producing music true to their emotive style. From start to finish, there is something relatable about each track. The lyrics are powerful, the music is versatile and it is easy to understand why fans remain dedicated after so long.
The album is available on all major music platforms for purchase. For a direct link to those sites or to purchase a hard copy, visit https://www.baysidebayside.com.
