Straylight Run - Prepare to be Wrong EP

Straylight Run
Prepare To Be Wrong EP
Victory Records
Grade: A-

Nearly like the title to this six-song EP, I was warned or cautioned or made aware of the fact that Prepare To Be Wrong was very different from 2004’s debut record. Unlike many bands that shift away from their opening and defining sound, the change by Long Island’s Straylight Run is exceedingly welcomed. Formed a couple of years back by John Nolan, the guy I like to call ‘the skinny-headed guy from Taking Back Sunday,’ the band is rounded out by sister Michelle Nolan, Shaun Cooper and Will Noon. After rocking the world with debut album and opening for various heavyweights, Straylight Run began working on this EP in the summer of 2005 with the idea of filling out their sound and taking non-obvious directions away from their piano-laden indie pop. The results are phenomenal as the band laces electronics, drum loops and mellow compositions into terrific pop songs. You don’t get a true sense of the positive on the more esoteric opener “I Don’t Want This Anymore,” where Michelle’s vocals are angelified and electronics rule. But you begin to see the true effect on the follower “It Never Gets Easier” and the “Later That Year” which contains a simple, repetitive line of ‘we did the math and it wasn’t worth it after all’ that gets stuck in your head. “A Slow Descent” is more theatrical as the Nolans sing together for a majority of the song and picks up when John plays the dominant role about a third in. Though dribbling, “A Slow Descent” is one of the more powerful songs on the EP. “Hands In the Sky (Big Shot)” reaches back to more of the electronic production and takes a compelling turn when half-way through pumping bass and drums and Nolan’s background shouting makes you think you are about to bust a move. After this unique offering, the EP formally ends with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “With God On Our Side” which features Jeff DaRosa on vocals. The EP in my hands at least also includes three of the best songs from Straylight Run’s debut, “Existentialism on Prom Night,” “The Tension and the Terror” and “Your Name Here (Sunrise Highway).” Although “Existentialism on Prom Night” got ridiculous attention, you should take a second look at the awesome chorus on “The Tension and the Terror.” Little doubt that if you enjoyed Straylight Run’s debut record and then you’ll love Prepare to be Wrong. Look for more big things from this band in the near future.