Not By Choice

Not By Choice started out as a local (at least for me) pop-punk band who achieved mainstream success with their debut album, seemingly overnight. Despite the fact that you are supposed to support your local bands, I can't help but feel that Not By Choice would have never become popular if pop-punk weren't so trendy right now. Although they're completely unknown in the US because they are signed to a label with Canada-only distribution, in Canada, they're a Much Music staple band.

Maybe One Day (2002) 6 Thumbs Up

This is Not By Choice's debut on large Canadian indie label, Linus Entertainment. They had a few EPs and demos in circulation beforehand, but more or less all of their previously released tracks have been redone for this album. They had two hit singles off Maybe One Day, at least in Canada, "Standing All Alone" and "Now That You Are Leaving." However, there's really nothing special about Not By Choice. I'm sure if pop-punk wasn't trendy and these guys didn't dress in skater clothes and spike their hair, they would never have become popular. It's harsh, but true.

This CD is very generic. It's predicatable, rehashed hooks and songs about - you guessed it - failed relationships and the crushing pain of love. But I think what's most distracting about this band is the lead singer, Mike Bilcox. His voice is very bland, and seems to just drone on. Even though he attempts to sing instead of screaming or snarling, his voice just drags all of the songs out. He sounds like a kareoke crooner or something - his voice doesn't fit the catchy pop-punk sound Not By Choice attempts to create at all. Even a cliche whiny or snotty pop-punk vocalist would have been better than this guy. Last track "This Old Place" has a whole bunch of silence at the end, as if a hidden track is coming up, but it's only a guitar riff. What a waste of time - just like this band.

Secondhand Opinions 3 Thumbs Up

Go back and read my above review, just ignore the song titles. Same bland pop-punk, just now they're dressing emo instead of like skaters to cash in on the next trend. This album is, without any exaggeration or sarcasm, indistinguishable from the previous one. I don't even think the teen girls are buying into this anymore. Next!

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