May 8th, 2012 
Tyler Osborne 
Artist: Daytrader
Album: Twelve Years
Genre: Punk/Emo
I have to tell you this in order to be completely transparent, I never really listened to any of the bands that members of what some call a “supergroup, ” Daytrader, used to be in, with the exception of Latterman. When Daytrader’s debut EP Last Days of Rome came out a little over a year ago, it was definitely a really fun to listen to. It had great hooks and catchy guitar parts, and it was very easily digestible. Daytrader’s newest release puts them in the running for one of the most enjoyable, wonderful and well thought out releases of this year to date.
Opening with the track “deadfriends,” I was instantly hooked. It was quiet, brooding, and I knew that it was going to kick me in the face when it came in, and that’s exactly what I got. This song truly soars, and it really creates a really nice auditory space that really allows for you to vibe with the song. The album has that punk vibe, but while having a heavy influence from late 90’s emo that fans of current bands like Basement and Balance and Composure will feel right at home with. Daytrader really pushes themselves to be set apart from the diluted pop-punk scene, and it never really seems like they are trying to hard or that it’s not genuine. You can really tell as you listen that the band loves their sound, and they really try and use it to be creatively unique. At times it’s a very loud album, but when it gets soft it’s really soft, and the juxtaposition between the two creates for a very dynamic blend of sounds that keeps Twelve Years very interesting. Sometimes albums that have their emo influences can sound sort of one sided, but this is not the case with Daytrader’s new release.
One aspect of this record that cannot be emphasized enough is the vocals. I simply cannot get over how fantastic their singer sounds, spanning a wide range of pitches and ways of presenting his lyrics. While the instrumentation of the new record is definitely very very good, I think the thing that really sets this new album apart is how awesome the vocals sound. Sure, lyrics and singing is probably what I listen to first when I hear a new band or a new release, but I think it’s fair to say that this guy really stepped up his game and set a new standard for the new emo-punk movement that’s currently brewing within the scene.
Daytrader is not going anywhere. I quoted my friend Matt in my last review, and I’m going to do it again. He said, “If Daytrader isn’t headlining Troc shows [a mid-sized venue in Philadelphia] by 2013, music is over.” I for one totally agree with this sentiment, as Daytrader has more business headlining tours than half the bands that get that chance these days. If this record doesn’t gain a lot of steam and praise behind it, I’m officially going to hate the punk scene. Trash will be talked, I will become jaded, and I will stand on the side of a stage during a legendary band’s reunion set and only nod my head. Do everything you can to pick up this record, because in 2 years when this band is touring every major city around the United States and then eventually the world, you’ll feel a lot cooler with a copy of their debut full-length.
SCORE: 9/10
Written By: Tyler Osborne (Follow him on Twitter, he’s sometimes friendly).
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you’ve never listened to crime in stereo? a lot of the songs on this album should just be a CiS album, same with Debtor’s union.