Sauce

You can blame the stunt/dare reality game show Fear Factor’s “twins special” that rewarded Nathan and Matthew Leone $50,000 – which was used to record the band’s demo. The album was then signed to Roadrunner records. Chicago’s Madina Lake, on their debut album, explore their views on politics, culture, and the obsession of celebrity status through their pop/light emo punk sound (that also has, at moments, underlying references to Christianity). Madina Lake’s name is based on a fictional story that bass player Matthew came up with, of a socialite from the 1950’s era named Adalia, who disappears mysteriously. The themes behind their music are derived from this story.

Produced and mixed by Mark Trombino, who brought you Jimmy Eat World and Blink 182; you can hear his influence on this record, but not in a dominant way. On this album, it doesn’t sound like Madina Lake has found their own sound. There are some catchy songs to listen to, like In Another Life deals with how you go on through life if it is too late to fulfill your dream. Morning Sadness deals with how a guy can’t let go of some girl he used to love, and the struggles of living without her each day. From Them, Through Us, To You is nothing innovative, but with a world full of radio rock songs about loves difficulties, there will always be a fan base for this type of music.

DAVID WALKER