Around the World and Back
| Around the World and Back | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by State Champs | ||||
| Released | October 16, 2015 | |||
| Genre | Pop punk | |||
| Length | 36:15 | |||
| Label | Pure Noise | |||
| Producer | Kyle Black, Derek Discanio | |||
| State Champs chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Around the World and Back | ||||
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Around the World and Back is the second studio album from American pop punk band State Champs. It was released on October 16, 2015 through Pure Noise Records. The band announced the album in July 2015, along with the premiere of the album's lead single, "Secrets". Upon its release, the album peaked at #30 on the US Billboard 200, and #3 on both the US Alternative and Top Rock Charts. The band later embarked on a co-headlining world tour with Neck Deep.
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | (83/100) [1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AbsolutePunk | 85/100 |
| Alternative Press | Favorable[2] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10 [3] |
| Sputnikmusic | 3.5/5[4] |
| Substream Magazine |    [5] |
The album has received generally positive reviews from critics. Most critics cite Derek Discanio's vocals, and the album's overall sound. The band's inclusion of orchestration on tracks, the album's title track which features Ansley Newman of Jule Vera, and the production are noted as highlights. The record has drawn multiple comparisons to the work of genre alums like New Found Glory, A Day to Remember, and All Time Low.
Writing for Alternative Press, Evan Lucy praised the growth the band have showed since their debut. Lucy went on to say, "...a new level of nuance and polish here thanks to songwriting skills that are certainly a few notches more developed than many bands their senior."[2]
Davery Boy of Sputnikmusic, also wrote a positive review. He commended the band's ability to write catchy hooks and gave particular praise to "All or Nothing" and its fusion of the band's pop punk and alternative rock. Boy went on to write, "The quintet still perform pop punk better than many of their contemporaries, and it should be noted that this LP sounds significantly more effective when played out loud, rather than through head or earphones... But it's difficult to ignore the feeling that they are capable of more."[4]
Around the World and Back was nominated for Album Of The Year and "Secrets" was nominated for Song Of The Year at the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards.[6]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eyes Closed" | 3:09 |
| 2. | "Secrets" | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Losing Myself" | 3:17 |
| 4. | "All You Are Is History" | 3:02 |
| 5. | "Perfect Score" | 3:18 |
| 6. | "All or Nothing" | 3:39 |
| 7. | "Shape Up" | 2:44 |
| 8. | "Back and Forth" | 2:53 |
| 9. | "Around the World and Back" | 3:50 |
| 10. | "Breaking Ground" | 3:42 |
| 11. | "Tooth and Nail" | 2:57 |
Personnel
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Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] | 31 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[8] | 78 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 30 |
| U.S. Top Alternative Albums | 3 |
| U.S. Top Digital Albums | 20 |
| U.S. Independent Albums | 5 |
| U.S. Top Rock Albums | 3 |
References
- ↑ "Metacritic: Around the World and Back - State Champs". Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- 1 2 Lucy, Evan. "State Champs - Around the World and Back Again Review". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ↑ Zorgdrager, Bradley. "State Champs Around the World and Back". Exclam!.
- 1 2 Boy, Davey. "Review: State Champs - Around the World and Back". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ↑ Defever, Landon. "State Champs "Around the World and Back" filled to the brim with catchy hooks and fresh ideas". Substream Magazine. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ↑ Whitt, Cassie (March 18, 2016). "Here are the nominees for the 2016 AP Music Awards!". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ↑ "Australiancharts.com – State Champs – Around the World and Back". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "State Champs | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart