Next in the line of hundreds sympathetic emo punkrock bands out there is Bayside. You’re probably going to like the songs, like the lyrics, like the guys in the band, like the production, like the art work, like, like, like. But you are probably not going to love the songs, love the lyrics, love the guys in the band, love the production.

Basically there’s nothing wrong with Sirens And Condolences, but this: it doesn’t really stand out, it doesn’t offer you the X-factor. The one thing that might make this a special album.

It’s what happens when record companies sign too many bands too soon. Hoping the band they just signed will be the next Thursday, Thrice or Dashboard Confessional.

Don’t get me wrong. Singer Anthony’s breakable voice comes so close to Morrisey’s (The Smiths) it’s almost scary. The combination of his voice with this type of sound feels comfortable and works very well after a few spins. Besides, a song like “Phone Call From Poland” offers enough quality to convince me that this band can only become better.