The Story Changes – Static and Trembling

On the 21st of May I Am Shark Records will release the new album ‘Static and Trembling’ by American Emo band The Story Changes. Formed in Dayton, Ohio by Mark McMillan (guitar and vocals) and Poppy (drums and sequencing) the band immediately launched themselves into a relentless schedule of touring and putting out EPs and Albums along with many appearances on compilation albums. Now, after almost a year of writing and recording, The Story Changes are readying themselves to re-enter the public consciousness once more.

‘Static and Trembling’ was recorded at Popside Studios in Troy, Ohio and produced and engineered by Micah Carli (Hawthorne Heights) with additional production and mixing duties undertaken by Jamie Woolford (The Stereo, Punchline, Gin Blossoms), and mastered by Dan Coutant (Hostage Calm, Lemuria, Into It. Over It). All three have done a good job as the album sounds crisp, clear and well balanced, which in turn allows the song writing to shine through.

Melodies, and plenty of them, are the order of the day on ‘Static and Trembling’. Every song is infused with catchy hooks and memorable choruses which are sure to have listeners nodding their heads and singing along; especially in the live setting. ‘Take it Slow’, for example, is one of the heavier tracks on the album but its driving riffs stick in the memory and it has an anthem like quality to it. In ‘Too Deep’ displays the band’s versatility with an acoustic ballad like affair which floats to its end with some attractive slide guitar; the cherry on top, much like during the rest of the album, is McMillan’s emotive vocals. ‘State Lines’ is a shining example of what this album is all about, curious listeners would be well advised to have a listen

The Story Changes have delivered an album which doesn’t really put a foot wrong. Any fans of of late 90’s/ early 00’s bands like Jimmy Eat World, Armour For Sleep, and Taking Back Sunday will find this a welcome addition to their record collection.

Likewise fans of All American Rejects and Fall Out Boy would do well to check these guys out as there is much for them to enjoy here; even better The Story Changes could act as the gateway for mainstream fans to discover a whole new world of American Emo and melodic punk which is bubbling away under the surface just waiting to be found. 7.4/10.
Ian Weiss