I’d definitely call myself a big fan of Story of the Year. If I were trying to convince someone to come to one of their shows with me, I’d honestly need two completely different strategies depending on who I was talking to.
If I pitched them to pop-punk fans using “War” from Tear Me to Pieces, the reaction would probably be: nah… too screamy. That crowd likely wouldn’t be sold. But if I started with “Sidewalks,” “Until the Day I Die,” or the title track “Tear Me to Pieces,” they’d be way more receptive—more like, hell yeah, I’m down.
With metal fans, it’s the opposite approach. Tracks like “War,” “And the Hero Will Drown,” and newer cuts like “Gasoline (ARSON)” would land immediately, and they’d find a handful of other heavy moments to latch onto. The more pop-punk-leaning songs would still have appeal for them, but they’re not as memorable as some of the band’s earlier work in that lane.
For listeners like me—who enjoy both the heavier and pop-punk sides—this album feels like solid new material from a good band, just not their strongest release. There are a couple of strong pop-metal tracks, fewer standout pop-punk moments, but nothing here is outright bad. It’s a decent record—just not a career high.
Love seeing a Countach on the cover by the way, that was my dream car as a kid. Needs to have the big spoiler, though.
- Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)
More pop-metal than anything else here, and probably the heaviest track on the album. “Fuck it up, burn it down / Cover it all in gasoline” is immediately fun and visceral. On the surface it sounds like a pure burn-everything anthem, but lines like “Suffering is such a bore” give it more depth—less about destruction, more about burning down the day-to-day misery we all carry. It ends up feeling like an anthem for choosing a freer, more positive mindset. Love it. 10/10 - Disconnected
A lighter, pop-punk-leaning track. “I’m sick of being disconnected from everything I need” is simple but effective, and the song hits that emotional frustration cleanly. Not flashy, just solid and enjoyable throughout. 9/10 - See Through
This one screams future single. Very pop-punk, with a strong, catchy chorus: “When I see love, I need proof / But when I close my eyes, it’s you.” The melodies are great, the bridge works nicely, and the song builds to a satisfying crescendo. Easily one of my favorites on the album. 10/10 - Fall Away
Features the lead singer from Papa Roach, clearly aiming for a Linkin Park-style nu-metal dynamic with him handling the rap element. Thankfully, it’s not overused—but it does highlight just how strong Dan Marsala’s singing is by comparison. I’m not big on the rap sections, but the rest of the song works well. 8/10 - 3am
A pop-punk-metal hybrid with a lot going on—in a good way. The groovy little guitar leads stand out, the energy stays upbeat, and the heavier scream sections are well-placed. Busy, but cohesive. 8/10 - Into the Dark
One of the heavier tracks, anchored by a big, anthemic chorus: “Losing my sight, chasing the night / On the edge about to let go.” The balance between melody and heaviness works well here, and the bridge and buildup really sell it. 8/10 - My Religion
I like the shifts in tempo and structure, but the lyrics come off a bit corny for me. It’s fine as an album track—I won’t skip it—but it doesn’t leave much of an impression. 4/10 - Halos
The chorus (“Even when the world feels hollow / We don’t need to face this alone”) is decent, and the brief guitar solo at the end is a nice touch. Overall, though, it feels more like background music than something that sticks with you. 6/10 - Good for Me / Feel So Bad
“If it’s good for me, why does it feel so bad?” is a strong hook and carries the song, even if the rest of it doesn’t quite elevate beyond that. Solid, but not a standout. 7/10 - Better Than High
I like the acoustic intro and the early lyrical introspection (“If I take more than I give, is it love?”). Unfortunately, the repetitive “Better than high” chorus doesn’t land for me. The “there’s still a point to love” section is great, though. They usually nail at least one ballad per album—this one just isn’t their strongest. 5/10 - I Don’t Wanna Feel Like This Anymore
Strong pacing and atmosphere, with good melodies layered over the heavier moments. The bridge and final crescendo are especially effective and give the song a satisfying emotional payoff. 7/10
Overall I rate the album a 7/10, C+
Ranking tracks from my favorite to least favorite: See Through, Gasoline, Disconnected, 3am, Fall Away, Into the Dark, Good For Me, I don’t wanna feel, Halos, Better than High, My Religion
