Direction (album)
Direction | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 31, 2007 | |||
Recorded | February–May 2007 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 40:39 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Producer | Howard Benson | |||
The Starting Line chronology | ||||
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Singles from Direction | ||||
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Direction is the third studio album by American
In June 2007, the track "Island" was released as the lead single from Direction before the Starting Line embarked on the Warped Tour the following month, during which a music video for the track was released. The album sold 20,000 first-week copies in the US, charting at number 30 on the Billboard 200, and received mostly positive reviews from music critics, with some complimenting the Starting Line's growth and the catchy songs. Following the Warped Tour, the band went on a headlining US tour and co-headlined a tour in the country with Paramore, both of which were in the fall of 2007. In early 2008, the Starting Line performed at the Soundwave Festival in Australia, prior to another headlining US tour.
Background
Geffen Records were unhappy with the demos the Starting Line submitted for their second studio album, telling them to restart the writing process, preventing the band from touring for a year.[1][2] The band's album Based on a True Story was ultimately released in May 2005.[3] Shortly after its release, Geffen de-prioritized the album and despite the Starting Line's increasing popularity, a lack of promotion for the lead single.[4] From late September to late November 2005, the band went on the Nintendo Fusion Tour.[5] Brian Schmutz of Inkling joined the Starting Line as a touring keyboardist.[6][7]
On November 3 of that year, the Starting Line announced they had left Geffen Records and were in discussions with other labels. The band were aiming to release another album by early 2006 and had already written 12–15 songs for it at the time, with them spending the next two months meeting with various labels.[6][8] On January 3, 2006, it was announced the Starting Line had signed to Virgin Records.[9] Virgin president Jason Flom signed the band after watching one of their live performances.[4]
Between the early periods of both February and April 2006, the Starting Line went on a headlining US "Screaming Is for Babies" tour.[10] In an interview during the tour, the guitarist Matt Watts said Schmutz was still a touring member and was expected to appear on their next album. Following the tour's conclusion, the band took a one-to-two month break for writing the album.[1] In June and July 2006, the Starting Line wrote new material and recorded demos of songs. By August of the year, they had written and demo-recorded 12 songs, and were planning to write around 10 more before recording them.[11] In October and November, the band supported the All-American Rejects on their "Tournado 2006" tour in the US.[12]
Production
In February 2007, the Starting Line started recording Direction and by May, they were in the final stages.
Benson added keyboards and
Music and lyrics
Taking influence from the work of
"Direction" includes elements of
On "Hurry", Vasoli discusses
Release and promotion
On May 3, 2007, "Direction" was made available for
In October and November 2007, the Starting Line went on a co-headlining US tour with Paramore. Set Your Goals opened the first half of the tour, while the Almost opened the second half.[37] The Starting Line appeared at the Soundwave Festival in Australia, in February 2008, before returning to the US for a headlining tour in March and April, during which they were supported by Bayside, Four Year Strong, and Steel Train.[38][39][40] The Starting Line subsequently appeared at the Bamboozle Left and Bamboozle festivals.[41][42] Following on from this, the band went on an indefinite hiatus, saying; "Imagine getting your first job ... and doing that exact same job for the rest of your life ... eventually you need to stop for a minute and see what else is out there".[43]
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AbsolutePunk | 85%[19] |
AllMusic | [17] |
Alternative Press | [24] |
The A.V. Club | B−[16] |
Melodic | [44] |
Punk News | [18] |
Direction was met with mostly positive reviews from music critics. AbsolutePunk founder Jason Tate said the Starting Line conceptualized their vision "to its full potential. The music sounds natural while the songs contain enough to be instantly satisfying yet hold back enough to ensure rewarding repeat listens."[19] AllMusic reviewer William Ruhlmann noted that while it retained the pop punk sound of the band's past releases, the album came across as slightly more "sophisticated in certain ways, particularly in rhythmic terms".[17] In a review for Alternative Press, Jonah Bayer found that while Vasoli lacks "the political prowess of Billie Joe Armstrong or the literary knowledge of Dustin Kensrue", he and the other members "prove they’re more than capable of crafting flawless pop-punk songs that should appeal to anyone with a pulse".[24]
The Aquarian Weekly writer Courtney Muir said the "melody remains thick and the overall tune is catchy" throughout Direction, referring to it as "a definite redemption for the band that has come a long way".[23] The A.V. Club's Aaron Burgess said: "Vasoli now sounds less concerned with impressing little girls and more interested in connecting with their older siblings as a legitimate artist. With more such surprises, he just might break out of character."[16] Melodic reviewer Pär Winberg praised the album for being "a very good piece of plastic" and complimented Benson's "very good" production.[44]
Punk News staff member Tyler Barrett said "direction seems to be exactly what The Starting Line is lacking in their latest release" and that despite having "a handful of enjoyable rock and pop-punk tracks", the album includes "too many struggling grabs that come up empty for it to be considered the mature and developed achievement it was meant to be".[18] Jon Young of Spin criticized the album as being "another formulaic record", but noted it has "compelling moments".[45]
idobi Radio included Direction on their "Best of 2007" list.[46] It has been cited as an influence on the music of the bands State Champs and Real Friends.[47] The album debuted at number 30 on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 20,000 copies.[48] Patty Walters of As It Is has expressed admiration for the album.[49]
Track listing
Track listing adapted from the booklet of Direction. All songs produced by Howard Benson.[14]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Direction" | 3:54 |
2. | "21" | 2:29 |
3. | "Are You Alone" | 3:21 |
4. | "Island" | 3:42 |
5. | "Hurry" | 2:52 |
6. | "Something Left to Give" | 3:34 |
7. | "Birds" | 3:27 |
8. | "Way with Words" | 3:43 |
9. | "I Could Be Wrong" | 3:55 |
10. | "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" | 2:53 |
11. | "Need to Love" | 3:22 |
12. | "What You Want" | 3:18 |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the booklet of Direction.[14]
The Starting Line
Additional musicians
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Production
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Charts
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200[50] | 30 |
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Kohli, Rohan (March 14, 2006). "Starting Line, The - 03.12.06". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ Gibson. Archived from the originalon January 31, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "Based on a True Story - The Starting Line | Release Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ a b Loftus, Johnny. "The Starting Line | Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ Paul, Aubin (July 26, 2005). "First leg of dates for Nintendo Fusion Tour with Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, others". Punk News. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "Photos : Youtube.com". The Starting Line. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ Albers, Lucy (March 8, 2010). "Chalkboard Confessional: The Wonder Years". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ "The Starting Line = Most Eligible Bachelors". Alternative Press. November 3, 2005. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "AP Exclusive: The Starting Line sign to Virgin Records". Alternative Press. January 3, 2006. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- ^ "The Starting Line Headline Tour!". The Starting Line. Archived from the original on December 13, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Photos: Youtube.com". The Starting Line. Archived from the original on May 13, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-American Rejects touring w/the Starting Line, Motion City". Alternative Press. September 19, 2006. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "In the Studio: The Starting Line". Spin. February 9, 2007. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Direction (booklet). The Starting Line. Virgin Records. 2007. 0946 3 53613 2 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c Kelly, Amy (August 7, 2007). "The Starting Line: New Record Deal 'Reinstated Our Confidence'". Ultimate Guitar. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c Burgess, Aaron (July 31, 2007). "The Starting Line: Direction". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on December 13, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c Ruhlmann, William (June 21, 2007). "Direction - The Starting Line | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Barrett, Tyler (August 17, 2007). "The Starting Line - Direction". Punk News. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Tate, Jason (June 21, 2007). "Starting Line, The - Direction". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Dromgoole, Jake (December 16, 2019). "Revisiting the Starting Line's Direction 12 Years Later". KTSW 89.9. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ Braun, Laura Marie (February 14, 2022). "The 40 Best Emo Love Songs". Spin. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Bayer, Jonah (February 13, 2008). "The Starting Line: Stay What You Are". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Muir, Courtney (August 15, 2007). "The Starting Line: Direction". The Aquarian Weekly. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c Bayer, Jonah (October 29, 2007). "The Starting Line - Direction". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Starting Line post title track off new album". Alternative Press. May 3, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Wippsson, Johan (May 9, 2007). "The Starting Line Return With New Label, New Record, Warped Tour". Melodic. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "The Starting Line post another track off new album". Alternative Press. May 17, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ "Island (Float Away) - Single by The Starting Line". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ "Alternative eWeekly". All Access Music Group. June 19, 2007. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ "Throwdown added to Warped 07; Madina Lake drop off". Alternative Press. April 26, 2007. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ Wippsson, Johan (July 18, 2007). "New Video From The Starting Line!". Melodic. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ Paul, Aubin (July 17, 2007). "The Starting Line: 'Island'". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ Paul, Aubin (July 27, 2007). "The Starting Line: 'Directions'". Punk News. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "Direction The Starting Line". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on May 22, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Direction (sleeve). The Starting Line. Virgin Records. 2008. TOCP-66753.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Reinecker, Meg (August 1, 2007). "The Starting Line / Permanent Me / Four Year Strong". Punk News. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "Paramore/Starting Line co-headlining dates (finally) revealed". Alternative Press. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
- ^ "The Starting Line". The Starting Line. Archived from the original on December 31, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Starting Line, Bayside touring together this spring". Alternative Press. January 6, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ Reinecker, Meg (March 8, 2008). "The Starting Line taking 'break'". Punk News. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "Blaqk Audio, Hot Water Music, H2O added to Bamboozle Left". Alternative Press. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- ^ "Chiodos, Finch, the Starting Line, Senses Fail on Bamboozle 08". Alternative Press. November 9, 2007. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ "The Starting Line to take indefinite hiatus". Alternative Press. March 5, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- ^ a b Winberg, Pär (July 18, 2007). "The Starting Line - Direction". Melodic. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Young, Jon (August 17, 2007). "The Starting Line, 'Direction' (Virgin)". Spin. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "idobi Radio's Best Of 2007: Albums you should've picked up in 2007". idobi Radio. January 1, 2008. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
- ^ Napier ed. 2019, p. 33
- ^ Hasty, Katie (August 8, 2007). "Common Scores First No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Here's what your favorite musicians were listening to in 2007". Alternative Press. January 5, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "The Starting Line Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
Sources
- Napier, Patrick, ed. (April 2019). "The 250 Greatest Albums of Our Lifetime". Rock Sound (250). London. ISSN 1465-0185.