The Constant
Story of the Year · 2010
41 min · 11 tracks · hardcore punk
Raw emotional intensity blends with melodic hooks and driving rhythms, capturing the essence of a band at their creative peak.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Children Sing — Opening with anthemic choruses and poignant lyrics about hope and renewal, this track sets a powerful tone for the album's exploration of personal struggle.
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I'm Alive — This track features driving instrumentals paired with uplifting lyrics about perseverance, making it a quintessential representation of the album's ethos.
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The Dream Is Over — With its introspective lyrics and dynamic shifts in energy, this song encapsulates the emotional journey prevalent throughout The Constant.
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Time Goes On — This closing track combines reflective lyrics with a soaring melody, effectively summarizing the album's themes of change and acceptance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances raw energy with melodic elements, showcasing strong songwriting but lacks some cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature aggressive guitar riffs and fast tempos, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic section.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocals, enhancing the emotional intensity and engagement of the listener.
- The album closes with a track that features a gradual build-up, culminating in a powerful climax before fading out.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo emotional flow
- vibrant energy for personal reflection
- introspective moments of struggle
- engaging storytelling throughout tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- dislike cohesive album structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on February 16, 2010, The Constant is the fourth studio album by Story of the Year, following their 2008 release, The Black Swan. By this point in their career, the band had solidified their presence in the post-hardcore scene, navigating the challenges of maintaining relevance while exploring new musical territories.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Finch· The Used· Taking Back Sunday
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Dream Is Over
A pivotal moment occurs where the narrative shifts from despair to a sense of liberation as past burdens are acknowledged and released.
This structural transition mirrors the overarching theme of moving forward and highlights a crucial turning point within the album's emotional landscape.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Children Sing 4:07
- 2 The Ghost of You and I 3:55
- 3 I'm Alive 4:15
- 4 To the Burial 3:48
- 5 The Dream Is Over 3:52
- 6 Remember a Time 4:05
- 7 Holding on to You 3:43
- 8 Won Threw Ate 3:44
- 9 Ten Years Down 3:53
- 10 Time Goes On 4:06
- 11 Eye for an Eye 2:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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