Music
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If Hit the Lights were the type of band to steal other artists work, it would be painfully easy for them to caper a track or two from the Dropout Year’s Seven Unreturned Phone Calls. Except for the fact that ‘Breakin’ Bones in ABC Order’ has the phrase ‘Hit the lights’ in it’s chorus, anyone could easily mistake this track for one of the Ohio natives’. However, unlike Hit the Lights, Dropout Year sings about topics besides revenge once in awhile. Their brand of candy coated pop-punk ranges from tender to bitter to melancholy in the space of seven songs.
The music is basic, but well constructed. Dropout Year knows their genre and can pull off every facet of it, from a bridge consisting of vocals and drumbeats, to lyrics made up of rhythmic power chords. The actual lines in the songs are direct, but the band manages to imbue a unique flair into all their phrases. “Don’t sleep with the girl next door” suddenly sounds like priceless advice; even a hokey sound like ‘Cupid’ comes off as sweet instead of trite. One thing especially admirable about the content of Seven Unreturned Phone Calls is the aforementioned versatile subject matter. Most artists tend to write about one or two topics, depending on what they’re passionate about. Dropout Year talks about summer flings, feelings of inadequacy, true love and betrayal, to name a few. Their last track, ‘Tragedy’, actually reminds me of Third Eye Blind’s 'Jumper', proclaiming “You’re the boy who never listened”, to some an unseen friend with serious problems.
In future records (which promise to be absolute knockout’s, if the band continues to develop), Dropout Year would do well to try a few experimental tactics. They’ve found a solid voice for themselves in ...Phone Calls, the ideal framework to build from. In the meantime, if you adore New Found Glory, Punchline, The Starting Line, or Hit the Lights, I encourage you to check out Dropout Year, and help get them some of the recognition they deserve! - Estrellaonline.com
The formula for pop punk is so basic, yet it still amazes me how many bands can’t get it right. Some bands just try too hard or don’t have the talent to play decent music, so they figure they can pull off pop punk. Dropout Year, on the other hand, has all the tools for the genre and then some. They bring talent and dedication to their music. It also doesn’t hurt that they sound strikingly similar to All Time Low, who reside in the same state as this band, Maryland.
The opening track is one of the best on the EP and could stand up on any pop punk release in the last year. They give you that slow build-up before dropping into the blazing guitar melody. They add the loud chant vocals with the soft chorus lines. Oh yeah, the name of the song is “Tire Swing Romance,” which is very fitting for this album. In other words, pop punk-ish.
The strongest track on the CD has to be “Breakin’ Bones in ABC Order". This song reminds me what I like about another similar band, Hit the Lights. This isn’t a bad thing though, as Hit the Lights is a great band to be modeled after. They have hit the mainstream and it may be the same path for Dropout Year. They even have the line “Hit the lights and call it a night” in this song. This song pretty much sums up every bad relationship, from the lying to being hurt while you are dying inside. Just in this case he got to write a song about it and it couldn’t have come out better.
This EP is a step up from the last one and the maturity in the lyrics and the sound of the band is audible. Their sound is well polished on half of the songs while the others leave me wanting to skip back to my favorites. Considering there are only 6 tracks plus a hidden track, this EP doesn’t get boring but the strongest tracks make the others look really weak. If that is what I come up with to complain about then they must be doing something right.
It’s only a matter of time before this band will be picked up by a label. Hopefully the extra production a label can give them will help take this band to the next level and not take away the good qualities that it processes. I have to give it to you Maryland, first you give me All Time Low and now Dropout Year. What else do you have hiding up there? Seven Unreturned Phone Calls is 30 minutes of pop punk goodness that can’t be missed by any one that claims to be a sucker for this genre.
Overall Score: 7.5/10 - Forthesound.com
Band: Dropout Year
Title: Best Friends for Never
Available Now (iTunes, Smartpunk)
Rating: 4/5
Reviewed By: Adam Cowsert (1.08)
For Fans of: Reliant K, The Starting Line, Blink-182, Yellowcard and All Time Low
Maryland and pop punk music must be a winning combination. All Time Low certainly saw plenty of success in 2007 and I have a feeling Dropout Year could be next. The independent quadruplet from Baltimore dropped their third release, Best Friends for Never recently and its finally starting to catch some well deserved attention. From front to back, Best Friends for Never is well written both lyrically and musically. Each selection offers a unique emotion and energy that seems to be unheard of in most of today’s music. The only disappointment is that, Best Friends… only features eight tracks, but all twenty seven minutes clearly prove that quality is always better than quantity.
Every song stands out in one way or another but my personal favorite is “A Coming of Age Story.” “Biggest Fan” is a number that would make it onto just about every present day mix tape because of its honest sincerity. Basically, a simple lyric from “As You Wish” sums up just how catchy this album is “all night long I’ll keep the stereo on and we will play this song until the break of dawn.”
I highly recommend buying this album and if you get the opportunity to catch Dropout Year on the New Years Revolution Tour with Close to Home and Van Atta High (starting date in New Jersey and ending in Tinley Park, IL.) Word on the street is they do a good live cover of Averil’s Girlfriend (yes, the hey hey you you song…)
Track Listing
From Across the Room
As You Wish
It Wasn’t Over, It Still Isn’t Over
A Coming of Age Story
Confetti
Biggest Fan
Hold on Tight
Best Friends for Never
- Beatthescene.com
Dropout Year, obscure though this Maryland-based band may be, is certainly comparable to or perhaps more appealing in sound than a great deal of mainstream bands of the rock genre. It would seem that being unsigned would in different aspects hinder a band in producing music. However, within their EP “Seven Unreturned Phone Calls” and even more so in their new EP “Best Friends for Never”, Dropout Year fails to hold anything back. Every track off of this new EP is singularly unique, each with a very defining sound, none sounding like the next. Since “Seven Unreturned Phone Calls”, lead vocalist Adam Henderson’s voice’s range, ability, and sound overall has matured and improved. The backup vocals along with Henderson’s create a unique harmony, especially apparent in the choruses of most of the tracks. Quality of the instrumentals is also very high, and also truly defines Dropout Year’s sound. The bass of this band meshes very well with the drums, and the guitar really branches out. It would be unfair to select only a couple of the eight tracks as notable, since each seemed to me to be really enjoyable and distinctive. This band seems to understand the concept that putting out a few exceptional tracks trumps producing several mediocre songs, as not one of the eight songs off of “Best Friends for Never” can be branded “mediocre”. The only typical aspect of Dropout Year’s music is their lyrical focus on mostly love, angst, and heartbreak, and even in this they have found a new way to express old feelings, with their both clever and poetic words. Overall production of this album is obviously great. To fans of Amber Pacific, bands similar, or of rock music in general, be sure to listen to Dropout Year’s new EP “Best Friends for Never”!
Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.0 - drivenfaroff.com
Breaking into the mainstream is not an easy thing to do. It takes the right amount of accessibility and intelligence, but even bands with such attributes fall short. Dropout Year, however, will not stay a local band forever with their upbeat and raucous pop-punk. They are front-runners in the impressive East Coast scene, and we’re sure they are looking to see the country just as much as the country is looking forward to seeing them. - absolutepunk.net
Dropout Year – Best Friends For Never EP
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: June 12, 2007
Frankly, Dropout Year has stunned me. I’m giddy right now. As a disclaimer, I have never met the guys in Dropout Year. They have never given me money, organs, or favors of any kind. What has been sent my way, however, is the most promising EP I have heard in some time. Believe me, it pains and frustrates me to type “Unsigned” at the top of this page, and this sad fact is obviously not based on logic. If it were, Dropout Year would be scene millionaires and I would be their sexy cabana boy. Loyal readers (Hi mom!), let’s make some dreams come true.
Now just what type of music could Dropout Year play that has me so excited? I am sometimes amazed at what attracts my ear, but this isn’t one of those times. Best Friends For Never features eight songs of hook-filled, catchy and perfectly paced pop-punk tunes. I didn’t realize how good this was until I popped the disc into my car stereo. Despite the fierce rain, I still felt compelled to roll the windows down. Also, I think I saw God part some clouds and wink at me. He was wearing a Dropout Year t-shirt.
If I was three years younger, or presently knew any females, acoustic and stringy “Biggest Fan” would be the bittersweet final song on a 'lovers mixtape'. The girl and I would undoubtedly get married. I would later divorce her for a newer version, but we would always have Dropout Year. I will not soon forget these tunes, which is usually a problem for me. After one listen to “As You Wish,” I knew a long relationship had been formed. The song goes back and forth between dual vocal solos and driving guitars, and it becomes reminiscent of Yellowcard during the Ocean Avenue-era by getting chaotic for the sole purpose of resolving into carefree melody.
I'm aware you've "heard this already." All I can really hope for is faith in yours truly. Pop-punk lives or dies in it's choruses, and Best Friends For Never features one irresistible hook after another. Leading the way are vocalists Adam Henderson and Brandon Reter, whose voices meld perfectly without getting whiny. However, nobody is overlooked as is evident in "From Across The Room" with it's grooving bass line and forceful drums. Unusual for the genre, Paul Leavitt's production actually gives everyone a chance to shine.
For a time I felt lightheaded while writing this. I soon realized my ailment was actually something to celebrate; blissful confidence! This album will bring happiness to all (most?) who give it a chance. No detail has been overlooked, and Best Friends For Never succeeds with heart and just enough teenage naivety. Forget all that mumbo-jumbo, Dropout Year succeed because they are great musicians.
Recommended If You Like: Yellowcard, Just Surrender, believing this jackass, American Diary, DisneyWorld
Vocals 8.25
Musicianship 8.75
Lyrics 7.75
Production 8.75
Creativity 7
Lasting Value 9.25
Reviewer Tilt 9.25
Final Verdict: 84%
- absolutepunk.net
Featured in Alternative Press’ “Unsigned AP&R,” Issue #231 (10/07) - Alternative Press
Featured in Alternative Press’ “Hometown Heroes,” Issue #235 (02/08); Top 10 National Listing - Alternative Press
Discography
Seven Unreturned Phone Calls / CDEP
(Produced by Paul Leavitt)
Independently released – 7/18/06
Best Friends For Never / CDEP
(Produced by Paul Leavitt / Dropout Year)
Independently released - 6/12/07
On A Lighter Note / CDEP
(Produced by Jon Cotter / Dropout Year)
Independently released – 6/24/08
The Way We Play/CDEP
(Produced by Rob Freeman)
Independently released – 4/7/09
Photos
Bio
Moving forward has never sounded so sweet. After heartbreak, sweat and even some tears, Dropout Year are finally in peak condition. Consisting of lead vocalist Steve Reter, guitarists Brandon Reter and Adam Goodman, bassist Dan Ciarrocchi and drummer Jordan Young, Dropout Year has found their most stable and productive lineup to date. So with firm ground under their feet, Dropout Year can finally focus on their goal: bringing catchy, bright pop-rock to as many people as possible.
A goal like this doesn’t happen overnight. Dropout Year aren’t an instant success story, but that’s not to say that the band haven’t had plenty of early triumphs. With three EP’s under their belt and a new 8-song EP out early this year, the band knows how to craft the melodies fans crave with the honesty of a dear friend. From following the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour and selling over 3500 CDs in three weeks by sheer force of will to securing studio time with producer Rob Freeman (Hit The Lights, Armor For Sleep, Cobra Starship), Dropout Year have created their own opportunities.
Clearly, this is a band that is learning. Most of Dropout Year’s members have known each other since high school and in some cases beyond. Having strong personal relationships has already improved the band, as Steve Reter says, “The chemistry on and off the stage is great.” Knowing trust was no longer an issue, the band sat down to write their next record, aptly titled The Way We Play. As any fan of the band knows, the guys have a knack for tackling relationship topics without coming across trite or overdone. The Way We Play’s 8-songs takes this diversity to an even greater scale. Reter describes the new songs as pop-rock, but he also believes the lyrics are going to be more noteworthy than ever, saying, “It’s been a ball writing songs that deal with some of the darker and limiting aspects of relationships.”
The Way We Play is really about the transitions we make in life to achieve our goals. Reter and Ciarrocchi’s lyrics ring with such a truth that you can’t help but be optimistic. The moves the band has taken to get here, to be very literally on the cusp of stardom, shines through every new chorus and every new triumphant climax. As Reter says in his typically upbeat fashion, “With every move we make in our lives, we affect everything around us. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad. But we’re always in transition and ready for the next move.” Don’t be surprised if the next move he’s talking about ends up being one that turns Dropout Year into a household name.
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