You’ll consistently hear touchesof the unmistakable chug-a-chug algorithm ADTR perfected on 2007's For Those Who Have Heart and then faithfully reapplied thereafter on 2009's Homesick and What Separates Me From You. “Sometimes You’re The Hammer, Sometimes You’re The Nail” and “The Document Speaks For Itself” could’ve just as easily been on Have Heart; the latter also shamelessly revisits “Mr. Highway” from Homesick, with McKinnon swapping “Disrespect your surroundings” with “No respect,” as he identically roars into a stop-start breakdown. “Life Lessons Learned The Hard Way” and “Violence (Enough Is Enough)” provide still more pit-fodder, and let McKinnon vent more of his personal frustration from recent years, yet always within the predetermined framework. If you’re looking to just bang your head—and not have it blown—then the record does fine.Is Common Courtesy ADTR’s best album? This reviewer would have to say no, but it’s a solid, honest effort nonetheless, and that’s worth something, too. After all the waiting and drama, there’s no
question Common Courtesy will at least partially satisfy eager fans, because if nothing else, it’s a textbook A Day To Remember record. Whether or not that’s good or bad is entirely up to you.