Rookie Of the Year
Sweet Attention (One Eleven)
By Catherine Patterson
Published: October 15th, 2008 | 9:02am
Amidst sugary pop-punk with hyper, Converse-clad frontmen bouncing on stage and squealing out high school–themed lyrics rests a niche of punk bands with veteran singing and delightful melodies. Rookie Of the Year is one of those bands.
Rookie’s sophomore effort, Sweet Attention, is a lively, luminous effort from a truly collaborative group of musicians. Frontman and vocalist Ryan Dunson manages to transfer his energy from the group’s thrilling live shows into this collection of 12 tracks.
“Asleep With You,” peppered with piano, serves as a wistful melody with one of the album’s more serious tones. “Summer,” the gorgeous fourth track, is highlighted with smooth guitar leads and compelling vocals. “What Is Love” examines exactly what love is, and closes with a chorus of children that adds a sweet sentimental value to the tune. Dunson’s voice soars on “Sooner Or Later (The Next Move),” a personal favorite and a simple love song of support and dedication.
Rookie’s sophisticated lyrics — combined with the group’s monumental creativity and soulful guitars — propel Sweet Attention to the height of the listener’s interests. It’s no surprise that “Liars and Battlelines,” from their debut album The Goodnight Moon, is still in heavy rotation on MTVU. Rookie Of the Year is a rookie no longer; this album proves they’re a punk band that’s here to stay.
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Rookie Of the Year’s official site
Rookie Of the Year’s MySpace page
Issue #35
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