For a group that has filled plenty of seats and continuously sells out their annual hometown holiday show, Four Year Strong have never abandoned their underdog mentality. Always striving for epic riffs and joyous choruses, their I Surrender Records debut album, Rise Or Die Trying, was just a prelude to their most ambitious project to date. In Some Way, Shape, Or Form takes their influences from Explains It All and combines them with the passion of Rise Or Die Trying. There’s little difference between the catchy hooks of their 2010 Enemy Of The World and this new album. Their poppy melodies have been replaced with more aggression than their previous efforts.

The record starts with drudging chords as their screams pierce through the rhythms. Each track points to the struggle the group has to stay afloat in life, these songs more honest than any preceding material. On “The Security Of The Familiar, The Tranquility Of Repetition,” guitarists and vocalists Dan O’Connor and Alan Day sing about the balancing act of their day-to-day lives. Reinforced with dizzying lead melodies and punchy rhythms, their battle cries become more personal and reflective. After the second track, there’s definitely some question as to the direction the band’s taken their sound with the absence of their happy, loopy melodies. That concern’s laid to rest by their third track, “Stuck In The Middle.” The song is reminiscent of their driving power and snappy vocal melodies, and the arpeggios scattered about adds a fresh sound that breaks up the songs aggressive pace.

“Just Drive,” the late entry that delayed the album, was definitely worth the wait. The song’s swinging melody behind the poised vocal rhythm keeps the album flowing smoothly. This track rescues the first half of the album from an abrasive and less catchy sound.

The album takes a bitter turn on the next few songs with harsh lyrics and raw resentment. On the track “Falling On You,” the group sings about taking in insecurities to turn them into ambition. Their angry tone tunes down their melody for the next couple of songs as their rhythms take the lead. The harmonious chorus on “Heaven Wasn’t Built To Hold Me” carries some weight but doesn’t do the band justice. For a group with an exceptional ability to change chords on a dime, they seem to take the easy road here.

“Unbreakable” brings the album back up to par with slick lead melodies and a charging chorus. Every other note and harmony adds style points to a song that already screams fearlessness. The last few songs on the album end the record fittingly, marrying the highs and lows of their earlier tracks; after some musical progress, Four Year Strong can successfully mix their poppy sounds with the in-your-face attitude of their rhythms. “Only The Meek Get Pinched. The Bold Survive” is the wildcard. It starts off with a piano ballad and slyfully changes. Where the ballad goes on for almost too long, the full band’s verses and the solo really help the song. Similar to “Heaven Wasn’t Built To Hold Me,” the chorus doesn’t do the song justice. 

In some way, shape, or form, Four Year Strong will continue to progress as a band. Despite parting ways with their keyboardists, they’ve managed to keep their upbeat tone while compromising very little. Admittedly, some of Josh Lyford’s keyboard playing and live presence may have saved some of their songs in the past; this time around they pushed through. In Some Way, Shape, Or Form is in stores now.

★★★.5/★★★★★

*This review was composed by Jose Terrero