Save the World, Lose the Girl

Last updated
Save the World, Lose the Girl
Midtown-Save the World Lose the Girl-cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 15, 2000
RecordedJuly 1999
StudioDoug Messenger, North Hollywood, California
Genre Pop punk
Length38:53
Label Drive-Thru
Producer Mark Trombino
Midtown chronology
The Sacrifice of Life EP
(1999)
Save the World, Lose the Girl
(2000)
Living Well Is the Best Revenge
(2002)

Save the World, Lose the Girl is the debut studio album by American rock band Midtown. Forming in 1998, Midtown released The Sacrifice of Life EP in 1999, and was signed to Drive-Thru Records shortly afterwards. They went to California to record with producer Mark Trombino at Doug Messenger Studios in July of that year. Save the World, Lose the Girl was released on February 15, 2000, and was met with a positive reaction from music critics, who complimented the vocal harmonies. It was promoted with tour of the United States until June, when they took a break. A music video for "Just Rock and Roll" was posted online later in the month. They participated in that year's Warped Tour, before touring Japan and three further treks of the US. A European tour with the Donots occurred in early 2001, and was followed by two US tours, a second appearance on Warped Tour, and a support slot for Blink-182.

Contents

Background and production

Midtown was formed in 1998 by vocalist/bassist Gabe Saporta, guitarist/vocalist Tyler Rann, and drummer Rob Hitt, all of whom attended Rutgers University together. [1] Each member had been in a punk rock band previously: Hitt in Royalties, Rann in Nowhere Fast, and Saporta in an unnamed act, often playing shows with one another. [2] Midtown wrote two songs over two weeks, before deciding to add guitarist/vocalist Heath Saraceno, who was friends with Rann, to the line-up. [3] They released The Sacrifice of Life EP through independent label Pinball Records in April 1999. That same month, the band revealed they would be recording an album for independent label Drive-Thru Records later in the year. [4] The band did pre-production with Heath Miller at Excess dB Studios in Bergen County, New Jersey; he was assisted by Stuart Karmatz and Tom Petta. [5]

The EP was supported with an east coast tour in June with One Cool Guy. [4] Following its conclusion, they traveled to California in July to record with producer Mark Trombino, who was chosen after the band liked his work on Dude Ranch (1997) by Blink-182 and Clarity (1999) by Jimmy Eat World. [4] [6] Sessions were held at Doug Messenger Studios in North Hollywood. [5] For their first week, they rehearsed material and altered the arrangements. [4] Though recording was initially planned to finish in mid-July, it continued until the end of the month, lasting 20 days in total. [2] [4] Trombino mixed the recordings with the assistance of Annette Cisneros at Eldorado in Burbank, California. They were then mixed by Brad Vance at DNA Mastering in Studio City, California. [5]

The album’s cover art and packaging prominently features a photograph of Disneyland’s Astro Orbitor attraction.

Composition

Musically, Save the World, Lose the Girl has been described as pop punk, with elements of emo, [7] [8] drawing comparison to MxPx, [8] Jawbreaker and the Ataris. [9] All of the music was credited to the band, while Saporta wrote almost all of the lyrics with the exception: "Direction" (co-written with Rann), "Come On" (co-written with Hitt) and "Such a Person" (portion of lyrics from Russ Ballard). [5] Rann said the title was influenced by the Spider-Man comics, where the titular hero has to renounce the affection of his partner in order to save the world. [10]

The opening track, "Just Rock and Roll", was reminiscent of the Offspring, which was about Saporta being kicked out of his previous band, which he was in for five years. [2] [11] "Another Boy" is a short song, clocking in at 44 seconds; the lo-fi "No Place Feels Like Home" and "Come On" are both power ballads. [12] "Such a Person" contains an interpolation of "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You" by Argent, written by Ballard. [5]

Release

Following the end of the recording sessions, the members finished their final semester of school in preparation for future touring. They finished the year playing two shows, one in November and the other in December. [4] Preceding the album, the band went on tour in January 2000 with Fenix TX. [13] A friend of the band had covered Hitt's role for a few months as he had issues with his parents, who wanted him to go to college. [14] Save the World, Lose the Girl was released on Drive-Thru Records on February 15, 2000, [15] which was promoted with a February–March tour with New Found Glory and Rx Bandits. They continued touring until June, when they took the month off. During the month, the music video for "Just Rock and Roll" was posted online, directed by Richard and Stephanie Reines. Following this, the band appeared at the July 8–12 dates of the 2000 Warped Tour, before going on a cross-country stint with the Stereo. [13]

Midtown performing live in 2000. Midtown group.jpg
Midtown performing live in 2000.

In September, the group embarked on a Japanese tour with All. Around this time, the band signed to Burning Heart Records in Europe, who licensed the band's album from Drive-Thru for release in territory. [13] Preceded by two shows in Hawaii, [16] the band embarked on a full US tour between mid September and late October, with main support from Weston, Hot Rod Circuit, the Juliana Theory, Luckie Strike and Catch 22 appeared on select dates. [17] In November, the band toured with Reel Big Fish and Catch 22; [18] partway through the trek, the band were in a van accident, which resulted in their friend being seriously injured. [13] They had a supporting slot for New Found Glory on their headlining tour in November and December. [19] For this stint, they borrowed a van from their friends and were lent equipment from New Found Glory. [13]

In early January 2001, the band performed three benefit shows for their friend that was injured. [13] Between January and March, the band went on a European tour with the Donots. [20] They returned to the US and went on a cross-country trek with Hot Rod Circuit in April and May. They were supported on select dates by River City High, Thursday, the Rocking Horse Winner and Thrice. [21] In May, the group went on tour with H2O and Autopilot Off. [22] That same month, the band released a split EP with Millencolin, which featured "Let Go" alongside two new songs, "Get It Together" and "You Should Know". [23] The group performed on the 2001 Warped Tour in July, before supporting Blink-182 in July and August. [24] The band later supported Blink-182 for a few shows in September when Sum 41 (one of the other support acts) returned home. [25]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [26]
Metal Hammer 8/10 [27]
Rock Hard 7.5/10 [11]

Save the World, Lose the Girl received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic reviewer Heather Phares said the "deft harmonies and shared lead vocals" offered the tracks "extra appeal." [7] She viewed the release as a "strong debut ... reveal[ing] Midtown as an accomplished and surprisingly complex punk band." [7]

Randy Flame of Ox-Fanzine liked the interplay between the guitars, aiding Saporta's vocals with "a warm, full sound [and] is particularly successful." [9] CMJ New Music Report 's Bill Konig saw it as an "unpretentious collection of emotionally-charged melodies" that were "fueled by tempestuous beats and dueling guitars." [28] He complimented the "beautiful vocal harmonies", alongside "heartfelt" lyricism. [28] Rock Hard said in spite of the "beautiful" harmonies, the release provided "a few pleasant corners, edges and melancholy tones" that make it "not necessarily risk-taking, but [a] thoroughly sympathetic album." [11]

By April 2002, Save the World, Lose the Girl had sold 50,000 copies in the US. [29] Rock Sound included the album at number 44 on their list of the most essential pop punk releases. [30] Cleveland.com ranked "Just Rock and Roll" at number 98 on their list of the top 100 pop-punk songs. [31]

Track listing

All music by Midtown, all lyrics by Gabe Saporta, except where noted. [5]

  1. "Just Rock and Roll" – 3:08
  2. "Direction" (Saporta, Tyler Rann) – 2:29
  3. "Recluse" – 3:22
  4. "Another Boy" – 0:44
  5. "Let Go" – 2:55
  6. "No Place Feels Like Home" – 4:27
  7. "Such a Person" (Saporta, Russ Ballard) – 2:29
  8. "We Bring Us Down" – 0:59
  9. "Knew It All Along" – 2:36
  10. "Come On" (Saporta, Rob Hitt) – 5:12
  11. "Resting Sound" – 3:59
  12. "Frayed Ends" (contains hidden track) – 6:27

Personnel

Personnel per booklet. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Enema of the State</i> 1999 studio album by Blink-182

Enema of the State is the third studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 1, 1999, by MCA Records. After a long series of performances at various clubs and festivals and several indie recordings throughout the 1990s, Blink-182 first achieved popularity on the Warped Tour and in Australia following the release of their second album Dude Ranch (1997) and its rock radio hit "Dammit." To record their third album, Blink-182 turned to veteran punk rock producer Jerry Finn, who previously worked on Green Day's breakthrough album Dookie (1994). Enema was the band's first album to feature drummer Travis Barker, who replaced original drummer Scott Raynor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Found Glory</span> American rock band

New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida, formed in 1997. The band currently consists of Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Chad Gilbert, and Cyrus Bolooki (drums). Longtime rhythm guitarist and lyricist Steve Klein left the band in late 2013. During their lengthy recording career, the band have released ten studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and four cover albums.

<i>Dude Ranch</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Blink-182

Dude Ranch is the second studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 17, 1997, by Cargo Music and MCA Records, making it their major record label debut. MCA signed the band in 1996 following moderate sales of their 1995 debut Cheshire Cat and their growing popularity in Australia. Dude Ranch was the band's final recording released on Cargo and the last to feature their full original lineup as drummer Scott Raynor was dismissed from the band in 1998.

Pop-punk is a rock music fusion genre that combines elements of punk rock with power pop or pop. It is defined by its fast-paced, energetic tempos, and emphasis on classic pop songcraft, as well as adolescent and anti-suburbia themes. It is distinguished from other punk-variant genres by drawing more heavily from 1960s bands such as the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Beach Boys. The genre has evolved throughout its history, absorbing elements from new wave, college rock, ska, rap, emo, boy band pop and even hardcore punk. It is sometimes considered interchangeable with power pop and skate punk.

<i>New Found Glory</i> (album) 2000 studio album by New Found Glory

New Found Glory is the second studio album and major label debut by the American rock band of the same name. It was produced and mixed by Neal Avron and released on September 26, 2000, through Drive-Thru and MCA Records. Featuring a new recording of the band's breakthrough single "Hit or Miss", the album was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with shipments of 500,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive-Thru Records</span> American record label

Drive-Thru Records was a California-based independent record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. The label was partially responsible for popularizing the pop-punk/emo merger sound of the early to mid-2000s. After facing financial obstacles in getting their bands' music into stores, Drive-Thru entered into a distribution deal with MCA/Universal. In 2003 MCA was dissolved and folded into Geffen Records. One of the clauses of that agreement was MCA/Geffen being able to sign any band of their choosing from Drive-Thru's roster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenix TX</span> American pop punk band

Fenix TX is an American pop punk band. The band originally formed as Riverfenix in 1995 in Houston, Texas. Under that name, they independently released an EP, G.B.O.H., and an album, Riverfenix, before having to change their name due to a cease and desist order from the estate of actor River Phoenix. Following the change of name, they signed with major label MCA Records in 1999. On MCA, they released two further albums, 1999's Fenix TX and 2001's Lechuza, which collectively sold over 600,000 units. The band broke up in 2002 over creative differences.

<i>Bleed American</i> 2001 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Bleed American is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on July 24, 2001, by DreamWorks Records. The album was re-released as Jimmy Eat World following the September 11 attacks; that name remained until 2008, when it was re-released with its original title returned.

<i>Clarity</i> (Jimmy Eat World album) 1999 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Clarity is the third studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released on February 23, 1999, through Capitol Records, with which Jimmy Eat World clashed several times while recording their second studio album Static Prevails (1996). The band recorded a follow-up with producer Mark Trombino in May and June 1998, and were free to make it however they wanted without interference from Capitol. The recording sessions began at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, before moving to Clear Lake Audio in North Hollywood, California. Clarity, which is described as an emo, pop punk, and punk rock release, marked the beginning of frontman Jim Adkins' tenure as the band's main vocalist, taking over from guitarist Tom Linton.

<i>Dream to Make Believe</i> 2003 studio album by Armor for Sleep

Dream to Make Believe is the debut studio album by American rock band Armor for Sleep. Following on from his previous band Random Task, Ben Jorgensen taught himself guitar and later recruited additional members to form Armor for Sleep. With some buzz, and the addition of manager Gabe Saporta, the band recorded their debut album with Ariel Rechtshaid at two studios in California: El Barrio in Van Nuys and Standard Electrical in Venice Beach. Dream to Make Believe mixed the space rock of Hum with the emo pop of the Get Up Kids; it tackled the topics of dreaming, time-travel and space.

<i>Through Being Cool</i> 1999 studio album by Saves the Day

Through Being Cool is the second studio album by American rock band Saves the Day, released on November 2, 1999, by Equal Vision. The songs on Through Being Cool were written while the band members attended New York University. The album was recorded in 11 days and represented the band's transition from a melodic hardcore sound to a more pop punk style. It was produced by Steve Evetts at Trax East Recording Studio in South River, New Jersey. The band's members dropped out of college to tour alongside Snapcase, New Found Glory, Hot Water Music, and Face to Face, among others. A music video was filmed for the song "Shoulder to the Wheel."

<i>Stay What You Are</i> 2001 studio album by Saves the Day

Stay What You Are is the third studio album from American rock band Saves the Day, released in 2001. The album received positive reviews from critics at the time of its release and remains an influential album in the emo and pop punk genres. It has been described as "channel[ling] the thrill of pop punk, the intellect of indie rock, and the raw emotion of emo all at once." Lead single "At Your Funeral" charted in the United Kingdom and Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midtown (band)</span> American pop-punk band

Midtown is an American pop-punk band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Midtown was formed in November 1998 by three Rutgers University students, but quickly became a quartet. The group released three full-length studio albums and three extended plays before disbanding in 2005. In early 2014, Midtown reunited to play three shows, the first as a secret show at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, and the two remaining at the Skate And Surf Festival. They reunited for more shows in 2022 as openers on My Chemical Romance's reunion tour.

<i>Say It Like You Mean It</i> 2002 studio album by The Starting Line

Say It Like You Mean It is the debut studio album by American rock band the Starting Line, following their debut EP With Hopes of Starting Over.... It was released on July 16, 2002.

<i>Living Well Is the Best Revenge</i> 2002 studio album by Midtown

Living Well Is the Best Revenge is the second studio album by American rock band Midtown. Following the conclusion of the touring cycle of their debut album Save the World, Lose the Girl (2000), the group went to California to work on their next album. Sessions were held at Larrabee East, Los Angeles, California, and Media Vortex, Burbank, California with producer Mark Trombino. It followed the pop punk sound of their debut, and was compared to Good Charlotte and Fenix TX.

<i>Forget What You Know</i> 2004 studio album by Midtown

Forget What You Know is the third studio album by American rock band Midtown. Following the release of Living Well Is the Best Revenge (2002), MCA was merged into Geffen Records, and the band was not picked up by the latter label. The group spent time writing on their next album and following a meeting with Butch Walker, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to start recording the new material. Walker headed the producing helm and Forget What You Know was recorded in late 2003 at Ruby Red Studios. The album is classified as an emo and pop punk release; its songs were compared with those of Division of Laura Lee, Recover and Jimmy Eat World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabe Saporta</span> Uruguayan-American musician and entrepreneur

Gabriel Eduardo Saporta is an Uruguayan-American musician and entrepreneur. From the years 2005 until 2015, he was the lead vocalist and founder of the electropop band Cobra Starship. On November 10, 2015, after nearly ten years and two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, Saporta announced that the band would stop its work, and that he would be focusing on helping other musicians through his new venture, The Artist Group. Prior to Cobra Starship, Saporta had been the lead singer, bassist, and lyricist for the punk band Midtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blink-182</span> American punk rock band

Blink-182 is an American rock band formed in Poway, California, in 1992. Their current and best-known line-up consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has diversified throughout their career, their musical style, described as pop-punk, blends catchy pop melodies with fast-paced punk rock. Their lyrics primarily focus on relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity—or lack thereof. The group emerged from a suburban, Southern California skate punk scene and first gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent humour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valencia (band)</span> American alternative rock band

Valencia is an American alternative rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

<i>¡Viva la Cobra!</i> 2007 studio album by Cobra Starship

¡Viva la Cobra! is the second studio album by Cobra Starship. The album was released on October 23, 2007. It was produced by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, whose vocals also feature throughout the album. The album peaked at No. 80 on Billboard 200. It has sold more than 40,000 copies to date.

References

Citations

  1. Proefrock, Stacia. "Midtown | Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Head 2 Head with Midtown". Music Head. April 14, 2002. Archived from the original on April 2, 2004. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  3. Purdom, Ben. "Midtown interview". Line and Ink. Archived from the original on November 12, 2001. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "News". Midtown. Archived from the original on November 27, 1999. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Save the World, Lose the Girl (booklet). Midtown. Drive-Thru/Burning Heart Records. 2000. BHR 125.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Dion, Jed (August 4, 2020). "#40 Jimmy Eat World (Clarity) with Heath from Midtown" (Podcast). Talking Records. Event occurs at 18:25–33, 19:23–7. Retrieved March 12, 2022 via Anchor.fm.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Phares, Heather. "Save the World, Lose the Girl - Midtown | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Iden, Timo (December 2000 – February 2001). "Reviews: Midtown Save the World, Lose the Girl CD". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  9. 1 2 Flame, Randy (June–August 2000). "Reviews: Midtown Save the World, Lose the Girl CD". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  10. "Midtown" (in Italian). Punkadeka. 7 August 2003. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 "Midtown - Save the World, Lose the Girl". Rock Hard (in German). December 13, 2000. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  12. Hefflon, Scott (April 1, 2000). "Midtown – Save the World, Lose the Girl – Review". Lollipop Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Old Midtown News". Midtown. Archived from the original on June 17, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  14. "Midtown". Punk-It. December 19, 2001. Archived from the original on March 8, 2003. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  15. Phares, Heather. "Save the World, Lose the Girl - Midtown | Release Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  16. Paul, Aubin (September 11, 2000). "Midtown in Hawaii". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  17. "Tour Dates". Midtown. Archived from the original on September 26, 2000. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  18. "Tour Dates". Midtown. Archived from the original on October 18, 2000. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  19. "NFG News Archive". New Found Glory. Archived from the original on June 23, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  20. "Tour Dates". Midtown. Archived from the original on February 19, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  21. "Tour Dates". Midtown. Archived from the original on April 6, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  22. "Formally Cooter, now Autopilot Off". Punknews.org. April 13, 2001. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  23. "Millencolin/Midtown [Split CD] - Millencolin/Midtown | Release Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  24. "Tour Dates". Midtown. Archived from the original on August 1, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  25. White, Adam (September 14, 2001). "Suicide Machines Street Teams / Midtown Joins Blink". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  26. Young 2000.
  27. Black 2000.
  28. 1 2 Konig 2002.
  29. Fiasco, Lance (April 25, 2002). "Midtown's Major Label Release Debuts in the Top 100". idobi Radio. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  30. Bird 2014.
  31. Smith, Troy L. (March 2, 2022). "The 100 greatest pop punk songs of all time". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.

Sources