Five years ago (March 5, 2021 to be exact), A Day To Remember released their seventh studio album You’re Welcome, which quickly became one of their most controversial releases.
Fans were quick to run to socials and proclaim the artists behind cult classic albums Homesick and Common Courtesy were losing their touch, selling out and turning into a ‘dad rock’ band.
You’re Welcome shifted, I will admit, drastically from their classic blend of pop punk and metalcore, to straight up pop punk with some light hints of metalcore in songs like “Permanent” and “Resentment” – my personal favorites.
Multiple alternative news presses have released articles asking the question: “is it time to apologize to You’re Welcome?”
Many fans are still heavily divided, with some standing firm in the belief the album is over produced or trying too hard, while others state they hated the album initially, but upon revisiting came to really enjoy it.
Now, I believe it’s very much time to apologize to this album and the band.
Quite frankly, some of these longtime ‘fans’ were hating on this record for no reason. I find with bands like A Day To Remember, we see that when there’s any deviation from the ‘norm’ fans are quick to call records garbage. We’ve seen this with Fall Out Boy’s Save Rock and Roll. Which, in my opinion and this is an opinion piece, is also a fantastic record in it’s own right.
The fantastic thing about music is at the end of the day, it’s an art form. Just like a painting, the meaning or interpretation is in the eyes (or in this case the ears) of the beholder. To make blanket statements that are all encompassing, such as calling a single record garbage, are not genuine to the founding of the alternative scene, nor respect for the artform.
I’m not saying there isn’t garbage music out there, but I personally reserve the right to call any music made by AI (not just AI slop but especially) pretty garbage as they steal the material they sell back to us from our favorite artists (which I’ll get more into another time).
The alternative scene is rooted in honoring what makes us all a little different, including the things we like or don’t like! I’m not saying you have to like this album, by any means. If you only like old ADTR, the best thing is those records still exist and you can still listen to them!
The problem lies in belittling others for the things they enjoy, and I’m going to hold your hand when I say this – not everything is for you. Might sound harsh, but that’s okay! The album for me personally is incredible, and just as I respect you not enjoying it, I just ask you respect those of us who do.
Remind yourself your favorite artists are going to change up their sound every now and then, due to the support we’ve given them over the years it’s incredible they get the ability to do that. If a record is released you don’t love, that’s okay – you will always have the stuff you do love to get you by. So, everyone take a breath, calm down, and maybe give You’re Welcome a second chance.
So on behalf of all fans, I want to say thank you, to You’re Welcome.
