Record Label: 111 Records
Genre: Pop-punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

As a reviewer for such a premier website (shameless plug), I am presented with an opportunity to subject myself to a wide range of musicianship. Many times, the band in question has produced a record that is uneventful and rather indistinguishable. Let’s face facts here people; record labels are in the business of making money and as of this moment in time, pop-punk, emo assortments are the flavor of the day. Love em or hate em, they’re selling records by the thousands and cookie-cutter clones are inevitable.

However, every once in a while, a CD arrives in the mail that bucks the current trend and establishes a sound that separates itself from the pack. Rory and We’re Up to No Good X2′ is that album. Now hold on cowboy! Don’t go rushing out to buy this record just yet. Keep’a readin’ and educate yourselves further. We all know, that a unique sound does not equate to greatness necessarily.

Rory is a band that enjoys taking risks. And to their credit, 111records is a label that takes risks as well. Calculated risks, but risks nonetheless. Rory hooks the listener with catchy sing-a-long choruses atop erratic drumming and unpredictable guitar work. They present a very tongue-in-cheek demenor which belies their maturation. Kind of Like Chloroformity’ hooks you in with a chorus that is easy on the ears and will stay with you long after you’ve ejected the disc. Switching gears with It’s On Senor…Go!’, Rory pulls no punches as they pound out the power chords beneath vocals tinged with straight-up rock and roll. The song is a taste of the boundaries the band could attain if they sought to do so. Unfortunately, most of the album follows the lines of silky smooth crooning. Vocally, Rory is on par with any other radio-punk band. But they could be so much better if they would just turn the singer loose.

Reaching into their bag of tricks, they close out the album with a what the fuck was that?’ moment. More like 15 moments. The reason why Rory and 111records would choose to end their sophomore album with a 15-minute jam session is lost on me but that’s exactly what they did. With Everybody Stabbed Me and It Didn’t Even Hurt’, Rory completely loses the listener instead of making them beg for more. I think this was a huge mistake. Teenage boys and girls (the target audience for this band) want their music fast, poppy and cathcy. This song is anything but that.

We’re Up to No Good X2′ is a refreshing release in the fact that Rory pulls off their music well while traversing musicianship on their own terms but ultimately doesn’t break far enough away from the mainstream mold to warrant a raving recommendation.

Bottom Line: This album is just different enough to warrant a serious listen but doesn’t really accomplish anything thoroughly memorable.
Notable Tracks: Kind of Like Chloroformity, Tonight I Just Don’t Care I’m Having a Candy Dinner, It’s On Senor….Go!
Overall Rating: