The Graduate - Anhedonia - Music & Performance - CD

After several years of heavy touring with previous bands, these Springfield, IL natives have created quite a buzz and amassed a following that feels more like a family than a fan base. Formed in November 2005, The Graduate is a collaboration between long-time friends who have gained momentum in the Midwest indie circuit due to memorable songs, interactive live shows and friendly dispositions. This is their debut album, following an EP last year, produced by Brian McTernan (Circa Survive, Senses Fail, Thrice).

Anhedonia is the chronic inability to perceive pleasure. (It was the working title of the Woody Allen film that eventually became Annie Hall.) It's such an on the nose title for an emo album that it's only surprising that no one thought of it before. The debut album by the Graduate is certainly a fitting candidate for the title, given the persistent moping of lead singer Corey Warning's teen angst lyrics and his unpleasantly whiny, at times truculent, vocal style. This is a real shame, because with a better and less irritating lead singer and lyricist, the Graduate would be a lot more interesting to listen to. Musically, they're on the more placid end of the emo pool, favoring chorused guitar sounds and simple arpeggiated riffs that occasionally blur into shimmers of pealing high-register tones. For example, opening track "Sit & Sink" sounds like what might have happened had U2 and Brian Eno spun off and elaborated the first 45 seconds of "Where the Streets Have No Name" into its own little song. But Warning goes and spoils the mood with his deeply irritating lyrics which seem to pretty much boil down to the idea that the friend he's singing to shouldn't commit suicide because that would, like, be a drag 'n' stuff. Whatever. The Graduate deserve a better frontman than they have, but those who can overlook the problem might find something appealing regardless. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

Performer	The Graduate
Music genre	Rock
Music subgenre	CD - ROCK
Music release type	Release
Media format	CD
Edition	Standard
Is collectible	Y
Has parental advisory label	N
Number of discs	1
Series title	The Graduate - Anhedonia [COMPACT DISCS]
Track listing	Sit & Sink, I Survived, Bet It All, Anhedonia, The City That Reads, Better Company, Surround Yourself, Interlude, Doppleganger, Stay the Same, Justified, Sing
Record label	Icon Records
Composer	J. Brahms
Songwriter	Graduate
Music producer	Brian McTernan
Track name	Sit & Sink, I Survived, Bet It All, Anhedonia, The City That Reads, Better Company, Surround Yourself, Interlude, Doppelgänger, Stay the Same, Justified, Sing
Digital audio file format	CD
Music media format	CD
Is edited	N
Is enhanced	N