PUPSCLUSIVE REVIEW: WE ARE THE IN CROWD “BEST INTENTIONS”

Best Intentions - We Are the In Crowd
Record Label: Hopeless 
Release Date: October 4th, 2011
Reviewed by: Jared Ohgren 

We Are the In Crowd has had quite a terrific story in the years that they’ve been active. Starting out as a 3 piece, the band quickly gained steam over on the now ancient site known as, Myspace, only to get hacked and get everything they worked for deleted. After the mishap, Hopeless Records reached out to the band and in due time, signed the band. A couple long months later, the band had their first EP recorded and in the bag. Guaranteed to Disagree launched the band into the fan-dom they’re sitting in today and hopefully will break out of with their new album, Best Intentions.

Best Intentions isn’t anything you wouldn’t expect from this band. Even though I don’t like using genres to describe bands, the band makes straight pop music that has a little bit of an edge and even at that, they walk that line like a tight rope. Best Intentions has the edgy pop songs I’m speaking of like the lead single, “Rumor Mill,” or the previously released demo from back in the day that is now seeing the light of day, “This Isn’t Goodbye, It’s Brb.” The album also has its fair share of pop gems. “Kiss Me Again” is a refreshing, simple song that sounds like a Katy Perry b-side (which isn’t a bad thing at all), “See You Around,” and acoustic ballad, “You’ve Got It Made,” are sure to be some fan favorites after the release of this album.

There’s an old saying that says to ‘always save the best for last,’ and in this case, We Are the In Crowd did exactly that. “Better Luck Next Time” sounds like what the band should be doing. The song is the perfect combination of the edge the band utilizes and the pop melodies and lyrics that make this band ‘work.’ The song even brings in a little, dare I say, mild pop punk aspects to it in the verses, which is rarely seen by this band but is something they should utilize in their next record because they aren’t by any means bad at it.

While the band isn’t necessarily making huge strides in the advancement of sound from their EP to their full length, you have to give them credit because it’s only their first full length and haven’t been a band for too long. Best Intentions is sure to please fans who liked the EP and is sure to bring in new fans that haven’t heard of the band. 

Tracklisting:

1. Rumor Mill
2. This Isn’t Goodbye, It’s Brb
3. The Worst Thing About Me
4. Kiss Me Again
5. On Your Own
6. All Or Nothing
7. Exits and Entrances
8. See You Around
9. You’ve Got It Made
10. Better Luck Next Time

WE ARE THE IN CROWD IS:
Tay Jardine - Vocals
Jordan Eckes - Guitar/Vocals
Cameron Hurley - Guitar
Mike Ferri - Bass
Rob Chianelli - Drums 

»Sep. 5 @ 4:09PM | 50 notes