Every once in awhile I use the Internet's greatest invention, Youtube, to get a feel for a band by either watching live performances or perhaps a music video if one is provided. Fort Wayne's Saints Never Surrender had a low budget video in which they show the band eating at Taco Bell, someone two-stepping everywhere, and some live footage where kids moshed and the band's guitar players whipped their instruments around their necks. Hell, it looked like they had the guitars in the air more than they did plucking a string. Nevertheless, I saw the video and thought, "Oh boy, here we go again."
I reluctantly went over to the CD player in my living room and slid the CD in and prepared for the worst (ho-ha!). Well what do you know, Saints Never Surrender sound exactly the same as they did in their video. Shocking, I know. Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst is yet another semi-melodic hardcore album with some metal leads, Fat Wreck type pop-punk, yelled vocals (by two people this time), and enough telegraphed mosh parts that you'd think Saints Never Surrender based their songs around them.; and they probably did.
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst isn't the worst thing I have ever heard, but it isn't anything I'd ever want to hear again. Sorry, Saints Never Surrender, but I've already heard Shai Hulud and Comeback Kid. I also never wanted to hear what those bands would sound like if they made sweet sweet moshy love. Furthermore, I never want to hear a band ever again where someone thanks Jesus for being a rad. I'm not against Christian bands, but seriously, Jesus being rad? Come on, how more cheesy can you get without actually wearing a "Jesus is My Homeboy" shirt without one iota of irony?
Saints Never Surrender, you are nothing horrible. I'm sure you tear it up on Cornerstone stages across the nation. I'm also sure you are all nice and you just want kids to come out to your shows and have fun. Your album has some nice parts in it and thankfully you play fast sometimes, but stereotypical token mosh parts coupled with some really bad songwriting make Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst yet another mediocre album. I know you tried your best and the album is a valiant effort, I just can't get into the whole dual singer thing and over dramatic buildups. I couldn't stand one more cutesy metal lead followed by some melodious deedle-deedle riffs. Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst is just another album I never needed hear or even ever wanted to.
