Based on a True Story (The Starting Line album)

Based on a True Story
Studio album by The Starting Line
Released May 10, 2005
Recorded July–September 2004
Studio
Genre Emo, pop punk
Length 46:23
Label Drive-Thru, Geffen
Producer
The Starting Line chronology
The Make Yourself at Home EP
(2003)The Make Yourself at Home EP2003		 Based on a True Story
(2005)		 Direction
(2007)Direction2007
Singles from Based on a True Story
  1. "Bedroom Talk"
    Released: April 12, 2005

Based on a True Story is the second studio album by American pop punk band the Starting Line. The group's label Drive-Thru Records had a distribution deal which allowed MCA Records to upstream bands from them. After MCA Records was absorbed into Geffen Records in mid-2003, the band subsequently spent the majority of 2004 writing and demoing songs for their next album. Following pre-production in July 2004, the band began recording for Based on a True Story, finishing in September. The album was recorded at various studios across the New York and California states, with separate sessions being produced by Tom O'Heir, Howard Benson and Eric Rachel.

Prior to the album's release, "Bedroom Talk" was released as a single in April 2005. During this month, the band went tour, debuting a handful of songs from the album. Based on a True Story was released through Drive-Thru and Geffen Records on May 10. Peaking at number 18 on the Billboard 200, the album received mixed to positive reviews. Following its release, the band went on the Warped Tour throughout the summer. While on the tour, a music video was released for "Bedroom Talk". Sometime after this, Geffen de-prioritized the album, which resulted in the band leaving the label in December. Further tours in the UK, which was co-headlined with MxPx, and in the US followed.

Background

The Starting Line formed in 1999, signing with independent label Drive-Thru Records shortly afterwards.[1] The band's debut album Say It Like You Mean It, released in July 2002, was a joint release between Drive-Thru and major label MCA Records.[2] Drive-Thru Records had a distribution deal with MCA Records, which allowed the latter to upstream bands from the former.[3] By the time the group sold around 300,000 copies, the band was upstreamed to MCA Records,[4] who saw potential in the group. Vocalist Kenny Vasoli explained: "We were cool with that because we saw what they did for New Found Glory and Blink-182 and all that stuff, and we felt maybe they could do that for us."[5] Say It Like You Mean It's lone single "The Best of Me" received attention from MTV2, while the group performed on the Warped Tour in the summer,[1] and was going to be released to radio.[4]

However, MCA Records was absorbed by UMG subsidiary Geffen Records in mid-2003, which resulted in MCA's staff and roster being moved to Geffen.[6] According to guitarist Matt Watts, "we ended up on Geffen, and it just seemed like no one there would assume responsibility for our band."[4] Upon meeting people from the label, "they were like 'We're gonna take you guys as a brand new band and pretend you didn't sell any records.' ... it just totally bummed us out."[4] The band spent over half of 2004 writing material for their second album[7] and recording demos in Vasoli's basement. After the demos unexpectedly leaked, the band's fans thought it was the band's next album, "and it's like, they're just kind of rough sketches of what we're going for."[4] When the band showed the label the demos, the label played New Found Glory's Catalyst (2004). According to Watts, the label said "'These demos aren't this CD, you guys should sound like this.' And that's not us."[4]

Recording

Geffen Records attempted to "force us in a direction that we didn't want to go in", wanting Neal Avron to produce the album "and we kind of wanted our own thing", according to Watts.[4] Pre-production began on July 6 and lasted for two weeks, during which time the band worked on 15 songs. Watts exclaimed during pre-production: "for the first time it feels like we're making a record" and "not just a bunch of songs that we like all".[7] On August 1, it was announced that the band was one week into recording. On the same day, drummer Tom Gryskiewicz's drum parts were completed. On September 22, it was announced that, following eight weeks of work, recording was finished. Watts called the process "great and really laid back".[7]

Tom O'Heir produced and engineered "Inspired by the $", "Surprise, Surprise", "Photography", "Autography", "Artistic License", "Stay Where I Can See You", "The B-List", "Ready" and "Cut! Print It". These tracks were recorded at Mission Studios in Brooklyn, New York.[8] Watts said O'Heir gave the songs an "organic feel" to them where "it's not all computed and Pro Tools and stuff like that."[4] Additional engineering was done by Oliver Strauss. Additional recording took place at redruM Studios. David "Garo" Yellin arranged the strings on "Photography", as well as performing cello on the track. David Gold, Amy Kimbal and Taguchi Hiroka performed violin on the track. Benjy King played the Hammond B3 organ on both "Photography" and "Cut! Print It". Max Bemis of Say Anything contributed backing vocals on "Ready".[8] Watts said it was "an honor" to have Bemis sing on the track as the band were big fans of Say Anything.[4]

Howard Benson produced "Bedroom Talk" and "The World", with recording taking place at Bay 7 Studios, Valley Village and Sparky Dark Studio in Calabasas, California. The tracks were recorded by Mike Plotnikoff, with additional engineering by Eric Miller. They were also edited using Pro-Tools by Paul DeCarli. Benson also performed keyboards and programming on the tracks.[8] Eric Rachel produced and engineered "Making Love to the Camera", with recording taking place at Trax East in New York. Shawn Corrigan served as production assistant. Additional production was done by Vasoli. All of the recordings were mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, with assistance from Dimtar Krnjaic, at Resonate Music in Burbank, California. Greg Calbi mastered the recordings at Sterling Sound in New York City, New York.[8]

Composition

According to Watts, Geffen Records wanted the band to write a Simple Plan record, "something more pop sensible and something they could put on the radio right away."[4] The label pushed the band to write singles, however, the group "fought to the death to write the record that we wanted to write. We didn't want to put out Say It Like You Mean It part 2."[4] Most of the themes on Based on a True Story, according to Vasoli, stem from being "at home waiting to get into the studio and the frustration of having all the songs and not being able to get them out through the recording."[9] Vasoli thought the band had "definitely got more comfortable with each other as far as songwriting goes. We know what are limits are and where we can push ourselves."[9] Vasoli claimed the band "brought out a lot more musicality" with Based on a True Story "as opposed to the four chord formula ... We really tried to expand our horizons and offer more".[9]

"Inspired by the $" came about from Vasoli attempting to write a song their record label would "consider a hit."[10] Fed up, Vasoli wrote "something that would cater to my musical needs more than theirs. That’s where ‘Inspired’ came from."[10] According to Vasoli "Bedroom Talk" was inspired by the concept of "knowing I would lose my virginity to a girl who would love me for longer than that night."[7] With this in mind, he wanted the song's lyrics to "embody both the physical and passionate sides of love while remaining honest."[7] Vasoli viewed "Photography" as a typical love song, in which he "tried to take all the cheese out of and tried to get down to the actual feeling of love".[10] Watts considered the song "our "November Rain"".[11] Similar to "Inspired by the $", "Ready" was "another song where I was really going against the grain of what the label wanted me to do".[10] The label wanted the song to have a verse/chorus formula, to which Vasoli refused.[10]

Release

In April 2005, the group went on tour with Armor for Sleep, Mae, and Suicide Pack.[12] While on this tour the band debuted several new songs: "Surprise, Surprise", "Bedroom Talk", "Ready", "Inspired by the $", and "Photography". Around this time, the band had filmed a music video for "Bedroom Talk".[11] On April 11, the album's track listing was revealed.[13] The following day, "Bedroom Talk" was released as a single.[14] On April 22, three songs were made available for streaming.[15] Based on a True Story was released by Drive-Thru and Geffen Records on May 10.[16] The Japanese edition of the album included "Nights and Weekends" as a bonus track.[17] Fans that ordered the album within a week of pre-orders being posted received an autographed booklet. In addition, everyone that pre-ordered were entered into a contest where one could win a Fender Telecaster guitar, as well as a lesson from one member of the band. Two runners up received a variety of Nike clothing.[18]

On May 15, the band performed at the Y100 radio festival.[19] Between mid-June and mid-August, the group went on the 2005 edition of Warped Tour.[20] On July 11, the music video for "Bedroom Talk" was released, directed by Corey Petrick.[21] Shortly afterwards, Geffen Records de-prioritized the album, and as a result, provided very little promotional effort to its single, despite the band's increasing popularity.[1] In mid-September, the band went on a UK tour alongside the Early November and Anberlin.[22] From late September to late November, the group went on the 2005 edition of the Nintendo Fusion Tour.[23] On November 3, Alternative Press reported that the band had left Geffen Records and was in discussion with other labels.[24] AbsolutePunk reported that record labels were having meetings with the band while on the Nintendo Fusion Tour.[25] The band's departure from Geffen Records was made official in mid-December.[26]

According to Watts, the band talked with Geffen president Jordan Schur and "he kind of understood our concerns after battling for months and months to get out, and telling him 'This isn't working,' and he finally gave us the option to leave, and we did that."[4] Vasoli said that in order to be freed from their contract with Geffen, the band "forfeited rights to the recordings of Based On A True Story. We might run into trouble if we ever try to re-record that stuff".[27] In January 2006, the band went on a co-headlining UK tour with MxPx, with support from the Matches and I Am the Avalanche.[28] In February and March, the group headlined the Screaming Is for Babies tour, with support from Copeland, Gatsbys American Dream, and Cartel.[29] In October 2008, the album was made available for streaming through the band's Myspace profile,[30] and released on vinyl in 2013.[31]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk83% [32]
AllMusic [33]
Melodic [34]
Punknews.org [35]
Rolling Stone [36]

Based on a True Story sold 41,686 copies,[37] charting at number 18 on the Billboard 200 chart.[38] The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics. AbsolutePunk founder Jason Tate wrote that the band's sound was "still catchy, the music still bouncy" with "plenty of guaranteed sing along choruses".[32] He considered it an unexpected release: "I figured it would be good, I never expected it to be great. I'm glad I was wrong."[32] He concluded with calling it "uplifting and incredibly fun to listen to."[32] AllMusic reviewer Johnny Loftus drew a comparison between the band's earlier release The Make Yourself at Home EP (2003) and Based on a True Story. He stated the latter incorporated acoustic instrumentation, placing focus on Vasoli's "edge-of-tears" vocals, as well as "favoring busy breaks that distract from actual rocking."[33] With this album, Loftus noted that the band "matured into a more grandiose version" of New Found Glory.[33]

Kaj Roth of Melodic mentioned how the group mixed emo and pop punk with Based on a True Story, comparing it to "having Armor For Sleep and Autopilot Off making a record together."[34] Roth thought the album contained "some truly great stuff,a few ok songs and unfortunately 2-3 fillers", proposing that the band should've made an EP instead of an album.[34] Punknews.org reviewer Meg Reinecker noted how the group used the preceding three years to mature "both vocally and instrumentally."[35] David Wild of Rolling Stone wrote that the band "made their sad songs much less cheesy" on the album.[36] He said the "fresh-faced punk ballads" were "way more palatable" compared to "most emo bloodletting, but it's still too depressive and not as songful as it ought to be."[36] Wild concluded with noting that the band "know how to make sweetly wordy pop out of over-the-top romantic naivete."[36]

Track listing

All songs written by the Starting Line.[8]

No.TitleProducerLength
1."Action" 0:29
2."Making Love to the Camera"Eric Rachel3:31
3."Inspired by the $"Tom O'Heir2:57
4."Bedroom Talk"Howard Benson4:04
5."Surprise, Surprise"O'Heir3:59
6."Photography"O'Heir6:05
7."Autography"O'Heir3:39
8."Artistic License"O'Heir3:08
9."Stay Where I Can See You"O'Heir2:48
10."The B-List"O'Heir4:36
11."The World"Benson3:08
12."Ready"O'Heir4:07
13."Cut! Print It"O'Heir3:45

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[8]

The Starting Line

Additional musicians

  • David "Garo" Yellin – string arranger and cello on "Photography"
  • David Gold – violin on "Photography"
  • Amy Kimbal – violin on "Photography"
  • Taguchi Hiroka – violin on "Photography"
  • Benjy King – Hammond B3 on "Photography" and "Cut! Print It"
  • Max Bemis – background vocals on "Ready"
  • Howard Benson – keyboards, programming
Production
  • Tim O'Heir – producer, engineer (tracks 3, 5–10, 12 and 13)
  • Oliver Strauss – additional engineer
  • Howard Benson – producer (tracks 4 and 11)
  • Mike Plotnikoff – recording
  • Eric Miller – additional engineer
  • Paul DeCarli – Pro-Tools editing
  • Jon Nicholson – drum tech
  • Keith Nelson – guitar tech
  • Eric Rachel – producer, engineer (track 2)
  • Shawn Corrigan – production assistant
  • Kenny Vasoli – additional production
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
  • Dimtar Krnjaic – assistant engineer
  • Greg Calbi – mastering
  • Morning Breath Inc. – art direction, design
  • Josh Rothstein – photography

Chart positions

Chart (2005) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[38] 18

References

  1. 1 2 3 Loftus, Johnny. "The Starting Line | Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Say It Like You Mean It - The Starting Line | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  3. ↑ Crane, Matt (May 23, 2014). "29 songs that defined the Drive-Thru Records era". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Kohli, Rohan (March 14, 2006). "Starting Line, The - 03.12.06". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on December 10, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  5. ↑ Carlson, Robert (November 6, 2006). "Starting Line, The - 11.06.06". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  6. ↑ Billboard (May 20, 2003). "MCA & Geffen Merger". ISM Sound Network. Archived from the original on December 26, 2005. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Various (August 1, 2004). "The Starting Line / Diary". startinglinerock.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2004. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Based on a True Story (Booklet). The Starting Line. Drive-Thru/Geffen. 2005. B0004686-02 IN02.
  9. 1 2 3 Koczan, JJ (April 6, 2005). "The Starting Line: Interview With Kenny Vasoli". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Koczan, JJ (April 6, 2005). "The Starting Line: Interview With Kenny Vasoli". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Watts, Matt (April 8, 2005). "The Starting Line / Diary". startinglinerock.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2004. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  12. ↑ Adams, Chip (March 31, 2005). "Armor For Sleep Continues Tour". Fader. Andy Cohn. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  13. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on April 12, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Bedroom Talk - The Starting Line | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  15. ↑ Roth, Kaj (April 22, 2005). "Preview songs from The Starting Line's new album". Melodic. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Based on a True Story - The Starting Line | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  17. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on June 2, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  18. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on April 8, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  19. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on April 20, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  20. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (March 3, 2005). "Warped Tour Lineup, Itinerary Officially Announced". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  21. ↑ "The Starting Line | Bedroom Talk | Music Video". MTV. Viacom. July 11, 2005. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  22. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on July 20, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  23. ↑ Paul, Aubin (July 26, 2005). "First leg of dates for Nintendo Fusion Tour with Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, others". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  24. ↑ "The Starting Line = Most Eligible Bachelors". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. November 3, 2005. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  25. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on November 4, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  26. ↑ Kohli, Rohan (December 19, 2005). "Good Riddance". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  27. ↑ Pham, Jamie (August 16, 2007). "Starting Line, The - 08.16.07". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  28. ↑ Paul, Aubin (October 16, 2005). "MxPx and Starting Line headed to the UK in January". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  29. ↑ "The Starting Line/Copeland/Gatsbys American Dream/Cartel tour announced". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. December 8, 2005. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Blink-182, the Starting Line post catalog albums for streaming". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. October 16, 2008. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  31. ↑ Wippsson, John (May 23, 2013). "The Starting Line's Based On A True Story To Be Released as Double LP". Melodic. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Tate, Jason (November 20, 2005). "Starting Line, The - Based on a True Story". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 Loftus, Johnny. "Based on a True Story - The Starting Line | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  34. 1 2 3 Roth, Kaj (May 4, 2005). "The Starting Line - Based on a true story". Melodic. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  35. 1 2 Reinecker, Meg (May 17, 2005). "The Starting Line - Based On A True Story". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  36. 1 2 3 4 Wild, David (May 19, 2005). "The Starting Line: Based On A True Story : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  37. ↑ "AbsolutePunk.net". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on May 20, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  38. 1 2 "The Starting Line - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Lynne Segall. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
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