Albums by this artist

With Hopes Of Starting Over... (2001)

The Starting Line

With Hopes Of Starting Over...

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» JEN APPEL | STAFF WRITER

The Starting Line With Hopes Of Starting Over... Drive-Thru, 2001 RiYL: Jawbreaker, Get Up Kids

I would have never given the Starting Line's debut EP a second thought except for their surprisingly enjoyable and enthusiastic cover of "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (you know, Starship's ultra-cheesey, Diane Warren-penned hit from "Mannequin"). With that tidbit of power-pop encouraging me to give the EP another listen, I actually found the band's brand of Blink-182 and Get Up Kids-inspired hyperactive pop songs enjoyable.

Like the fare of most bands fronted by a 17-year-old (not to slight the earnest and likable Ken Vasoli), the songs are all about relationships. However, "Three's A Charm" is an entirely guilty power-pop pleasure with Vasoli's bass lines and Tom Gryskiewicz's drumming providing a tight rhythm foundation for power-chord-and-hook-drenched guitar work of Matt Watts and Mike Golla. While I am not counting the days until their first full-length, the five songs on With Hopes Of Starting Over... are certainly smile worthy.

JEN APPEL |