New York City’s very own Bayside has just released The Walking Wounded, the most highly anticipated album of 2007 according to Alternative Press. Sometimes known as the original MySpace band, Bayside has once again put out an album though Victory Records to satisfy the masses of their cult-like fans.

Creating this CD just may be the positive vibe that the band needed to help them cope with the past. On Halloween morning in 2005, Bayside’s tour van, after leaving a show, crashed after hitting some ice on the road causing the van to flip over. Regretfully the accident caused serious injury to bass player Nick Ghanbarian and the unimaginable death of their drummer John “Beatz” Holohan. Lead singer Anthony Raneri and guitarist Jack O'Shea, who were unharmed, decided to continue the tour a few weeks later and played acoustic performances for the mourning fans until the tour was finished. Chris Guglielmo soon took on the new job as replacement drummer and once again a band was formed. This CD was released almost a year and a half after that tragic morning.

The Walking Wounded is undeniably going to be a classic in years to come. This album was not created to mourn the loss of a friend but rather to celebrate and rise above. Bayside is not the emo-rock punk band they once were, but rather a distinguished rock alternative band that is maturing in a positive approach. Expect a change with this new disc as it does not completely follow the likes of Bayside’s older material but it still is remarkably pleasing. Fans who have grown up listening to these guys over the years should be able to appreciate it.

Opening title track “That Walking Wounded” immediately introduces an orchestrated delight with tuba and piano to accompany the fine guitar melody. This track was my favorite to listen to. Their first single on the album “Duality” is very catchy and is sure to be the bait to lure in new listeners. “A Rite Of Passage” is another track that stood out to me among the others. The vocals are very tender while the guitars although not too heavy make for a great ballad like masterpiece.

I am sure there will be fans of Bayside out there that will not understand why this CD seems so mellow and not like the others. I am sure there will be other fans out there who will understand the concept of musical maturity and appreciate what they have done. With change comes opportunity and I think that Bayside has now produced the opportunity to rise above other bands and be heard.