The opening song on this 13-track CD is also the title track, “Hello Fascination.” Whoa! Heavy guitar breakdowns? Breathe Carolina hasn’t really incorporated the use of them very much before in their earlier music, if at all. ?With all the songs sounding a bit different from each other it’s easier to pick a favorite. Mine was “Tripped And Fell In Portland,” not only because it has a hard-core introduction with Kyle Even’s screams, but the style of guitar is found in a lot of 2009 music. This song is particularly similar sounding to A Day To Remember and Four Year Strong, both of which are non-electronica bands. But soon enough the synth beats that we know so well are introduced, making the listen a lot more familiar, just like the “old” Breathe Carolina sound we’re all used to.?”Hello Fascination,” released in August, is very different from “Gossip” (EP) and “It’s Classy, Not Classic.” “Hello Fascination” doesn’t scream “DANCE PARTY!” like “Classy” does. In many ways it has a more hard-core and mature approach to the group’s genre. The basic formula for most songs on the new album is a poppy-electro beat, covered by somewhat cheesy guitars and Even’s screams. It would almost seem to sound repetitive, but that is just Breathe Carolina’s style.?The album’s overall theme is progression, except for the fifth song on the CD which is “I.D.G.A.F.” Parental discretion is advised with this track. The song is playful, catchy and funny. I can picture scene kids from all around the world screaming the chorus. But if the F-word isn’t your style then I would recommend skipping to the next song.?”I Have To Go Return Some Video Tapes” is one of the album’s most misleading songs. With an acoustic beginning, the song is slightly surprising, but maybe in a good way. Although it’s one of the softer tunes on the album, Kyle’s screams are still ever present. And thank goodness, I would hate for Breathe Carolina to change completely because of one song.?The song “Can I Take You Home With Me?” is terrible. I hate the fast and slow clappy beat and the lyrics are very empty. How can you dance to a song like that? It’s like Dave Schmitt and Kyle Even attempted to write a ballad about romance and clubs and it did not work. Please boys, don’t try that again and just stick to what you do best, and to what everyone loves. ?Whenever I hear someone mention Breathe Carolina, I don’t think of breakdowns and misleading introductions; instead I think back to the days of the previous albums. I think of dance parties with my friends and lyrics that I wouldn’t be ashamed of screaming in the car with my mom or at the mall. “Hello Fascination” isn’t Breathe Carolina’s best, and that’s obvious if you call yourself a true fan.?I got the chance to talk to Dave and Kyle at the Take Action! Tour back in March, and I also saw them at Warped Tour this past August. They’re the nicest band that I’ve ever met, and I would hate for people to give them trash because of “Hello Fascination.” As I like to say, “Out with the new, and in with the old!” Let’s hope that is the case with Breathe Carolina’s next CD.?

Rachel Johnson is a senior at Roy High School. She loves music, boys and shoes! E-mail her at rayjay92@hotmail.com.?