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Commit This to Memory
Studio album by
Motion City Soundtrack
ReleasedJune 7, 2005
RecordedOctober–November 2004
Seedy Underbelly Studios (Valley Village, California)
Sound Castle (Silver Lake, California)
Cello Studios (Hollywood, California)
Genre
Length39:19
LabelEpitaph
ProducerMark Hoppus
Motion City Soundtrack chronology
I Am the Movie
(2003) 		Commit This to Memory
(2005) 		Even If It Kills Me
(2007)
Singles from Commit This to Memory
  1. "Everything Is Alright"
    Released: 2005
  2. "Hold Me Down"
    Released: 2006
  3. "L.G. Fuad"
    Released: 2006

Commit This to Memory is the second studio album by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack. Produced by Mark Hoppus, the album was released on June 7, 2005, in the United States by Epitaph Records. The Minnesota-based rock act formed in 1997, developing their emotionally-charged, pop-punk sound over the interim years. Their debut album, I Am the Movie, saw release on independent label Epitaph in 2003. It was followed with a heavy touring schedule, including stints on the Warped Tour and as the opening act for multi-platinum group Blink-182. Blink bassist Hoppus took a liking to the quintet, offering to produce their next studio effort.

Recorded over six weeks in late 2004, Commit This to Memory was created largely at Seedy Underbelly Studios, a suburban home converted into a studio in Los Angeles' Valley Village region. The album was partially composed there and in their hometown of Minneapolis, during a period in which frontman Justin Pierre was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. He aimed for stronger storytelling in his lyricism, inspired by the work of Tom Waits, Ben Folds, and John K. Samson. Hoppus mainly worked with the band on finalizing song arrangements.

Commit This to Memory became the band's breakthrough and remains the band's most successful release. Both the album and main single "Everything Is Alright" were certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album peaked at number two on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. The singles' music videos achieved rotation on cable channel MTV2 while the band toured alongside Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco. In 2014, The A.V. Club referred to the album as a pop punk classic, "full of hook-laden, keyboard-assisted songs whose bright melodies don't mask the despair and self-loathing lurking beneath them."[3]

Background

[edit]

Motion City Soundtrack was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vocalist Justin Pierre and guitarist Joshua Cain were friends who had come up playing in several local bands. Influenced by the synth-heavy rock of bands like the Rentals and Superchunk, the duo formed Motion City Soundtrack in 1997. It went through several lineup changes, with the band gaining permanent members Tony Thaxton (drums), Jesse Johnson (keys) and Matthew Taylor (bass) in 2001. The quintet recorded and self-released their debut album, I Am the Movie, in 2002, selling copies out of the back of their tour van for a year.[4] The next year, it was picked up for larger distribution through California-based independent label Epitaph, best known as the home of punk rockers the Offspring and Bad Religion. The group were part of an abundance of Epitaph signings, including Matchbook Romance and From First to Last, amid concerns the label had strayed too far from its roots, or "a little too emo."[5] The band toured heavily in support of the LP, attracting a new fanbase; their 2004 stint on the famed Vans Warped Tour was considered a "must-see" among punk fans.[5]

Their rise to prominence continued when the group joined Blink-182 - then one of the largest pop-punk acts worldwide - on a European arena tour. That band's bassist, Mark Hoppus, had first heard of the group from an employee at his clothing company, Atticus Clothing. He enjoyed the group so much that he raved about them in Rolling Stone magazine, and invited them to open for Blink. The six musicians became quick friends, frequently talking backstage before performances.[6][7] Hoppus was developing an interest in recording music from a production standpoint, having recently acquired a large amount of gear and amplifiers.[7] At the final show of the tour, Cain went to Hoppus' dressing room and asked him to produce their next record.[8] Although Hoppus had never produced anything before, he was excited to be a part of the album and accepted the offer.[7][9]

Recording and production

[edit]
Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 produced the album.

The band first began writing songs at their rehearsal space in Minneapolis, which they nicknamed the "Dungeon" due to its ability to "suck the life and energy out of the band."[4] For Pierre, the album came at the brink of a personal transition in which he began to seek treatment for alcohol abuse.[10] He left the band during the writing stages for Los Angeles where he moved in with Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz and began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.[11] Afterwards, the group rejoined Pierre in L.A. to begin recording demos for a month; the change of scenery brought about a new energy for the quintet.[4] Commit This to Memory would be the first album by the band to feature material crafted by each musician in the group, as previous releases had featured songs written in the years prior to each member joining.[4] "It was also the first time we had a lot more time and money to go in and feel like we were making a real record this time, whereas I Am the Movie was recorded in little segments here and there and eventually pieced together," said drummer Tony Thaxton.[12]

Recording sessions for Commit This to Memory were booked by Hoppus and scheduled over six weeks at Seedy Underbelly Studios in the L.A. suburb of Valley Village. The studio was actually a rented house that had once belonged to Jeff Porcaro, the drummer for Toto.[6][7][13] The band had, according to Hoppus, "a million ideas and a lot of energy and enthusiasm to make a great record".[7] Living in a suburb, the neighbors had called police to the band and Hoppus several times for being too loud at night time, especially when Hoppus brought a Roland TR-808 drum machine outside to work on a song late at night.[13] According to Pierre, Hoppus was not interested in putting his own stamp on the music, but rather bringing out the best in what he saw in the group.[10] Hoppus generally modeled his production after Jerry Finn (a longtime producer of Blink-182), and therefore it involved much watching and listening. "Mark kept telling us, 'Your name is going to be a lot bigger on the front than mine is on the back'," recalled Justin Pierre, "So he would throw suggestions out there but always say, 'Feel free to turn these down.' And we would!"[6]

Pierre characterized Hoppus as both "very involved and not involved", with his job as producer mainly giving notes on the sound of the instruments and offering suggestions to improve songs. Hoppus mostly worked with the band on arrangements, believing the songs were too packed and "needed to breathe".[7] Hoppus mentioned that label politics had hindered the creativity of Blink's Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), and did not want to see the same fate befall the band.[14] He was "meticulous" in his approach, partially due to the fact that it was his first production job. Hoppus was the one who advised the band to merge two previously unrelated songs—a slower, softer song and a pulsating drum track—into one, which became "Time Turned Fragile".[10] The frontman of Fall Out Boy, Patrick Stump, contributed guest vocals to "Everything Is Alright", and Hoppus to "Hangman".[15] With production completed, Hoppus was very excited for the band that he felt was on the cusp of "great things", recalling, "After six weeks of these guys living all together in two rooms of this house with a studio attached they created this amazingly beautiful and honest album. Justin's lyrics are so brutally truthful."[7] The group completed recording in November 2004, and judged final mixes over the interim months.[5] Pierre later called Commit This to Memory his personal favorite album by the band.[16]

Music and lyrics

[edit]
Ben Folds at Uptown Mix 2004
John K. Samson of The Weakerthans, at Calgary Folkfest '08
Pierre hoped to emulate the writing styles of Tom Waits, Ben Folds and John K. Samson.

In a 2015 interview, Pierre notes that fans have told him that they find Commit This to Memory a "winter album", to which he agrees, noting the unintentional mention of the new year in several songs.[10] His lyricism on Commit This to Memory centralizes around change and, in his words, "being a complete fuckup, yet, at the same time, being somewhat successful".[17] On the record, he "addresses the themes of substance abuse, psychological disorders and failing relationships."[18] Pierre penned "Everything Is Alright" as a summary of his OCD (Obsessive–compulsive disorder) tendencies. He intended to utilize his social anxiety and fears in the song's form, which he has since employed in numerous other compositions. "I don't think the [phrase] "tongue-in-cheek" is correct, but it's something where the verses are one thing and then the chorus is another, but it's sort of like giving yourself a pep talk", said Pierre.[1] The song's lyrics include hating such mundane things as "theme parks, flying, strangers, [and] waiting in line," things that Pierre genuinely disliked at the time of the song's writing.[1] For the record, he intended to simplify his lyrics to enhance storytelling and he drew inspiration from Tom Waits, Ben Folds and John K. Samson's writing styles.[17] Keeping in the Waits/Folds inspiration, Pierre strove to write from another person's point of view; in the case of "Time Turned Fragile", it is sung from the perspective of his father.[9] Pierre has also suggested the Carpenters were an unlikely influence, observing "it’s similar how both their music and [Memory] has a darkness lurking underneath it all."[19]

"L.G. Fuad"
The band's style combines Pierre's dark lyrics with more upbeat music, including prominent use of the Moog synthesizer.[3]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Pierre has in retrospect labeled half of the album's writing as being completed while inebriated and the other half while getting sober.[16] For example, he penned the lyrics to "Attractive Today" and "Time Turned Fragile" while drunk in his apartment, in a "sad and lonely place".[10] In this approach, words mostly "just came out", and were not substantially revised. In addition, he was listening to the 2003 album Reconstruction Site by the Weakerthans, and found himself inspired by the songwriting of frontman John K. Samson.[10] Pierre would often take lyrics from other bands songs for song titles; "Time Turned Fragile" is lifted from a lyric in Limbeck's "Julia", while "Together We'll Ring in the New Year" was pulled from the Tom Waits song "Please Wake Me Up".[10] "L.G. Fuad"—which stands for "Let's Get Fucked Up and Die"—grew out of a night on Motion City Soundtrack's 2003 UK tour with The All-American Rejects, in which the latter band's merchandise manager was severely inebriated.[17] He stood on the merchandise stand and shouted what became the song's refrain. All involved found great humor in the "mantra", which went on to be printed on business cards as a joke.[17] "Hold Me Down" was inspired by a former roommate of Pierre's. After she had moved out, Pierre found a portion of her math homework in a couch cushion, leading to him imagining a scenario of finding a letter from a departed lover.[10]

The album has been called definitive of pop punk.[3] Joshua Cain dismissed this label, remarking, "I definitely wouldn't consider us a pop-punk band. Our influences are more based on '90s bands like Superchunk and early Weezer."[20] Pierre strove for the record to have a sound that resembled the bands Braid, Superchunk, Jawbox and the Pixies.[13]

Reception and legacy

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk(Favorable)[21]
AllmusicStarStarStarHalf star[22]
Alternative PressStarStarStarStar link
Entertainment Weekly(mixed)[23]
PopMatters(5/10)[24]

Upon its release, Commit This to Memory received general acclaim from music critics. Scott Heisel of Alternative Press wrote that "Memory is an inspired, mature sophomore disc chock full of catchy, intelligent pop-rock."[25] Allmusic's Johnny Loftus considered the band more intelligent and sophisticated than their Warped Tour peers: "Motion City Soundtrack['s] wistful memories, tales of breaking up, and frantic searches for answers [are] realer than the next pop-punk combo on the quadruple summertime bill."[26] Jennifer Maerz of Entertainment Weekly ended her review with the note that "MCS' slick, soaring anthems ultimately unite the spirits of those who see themselves, like Pierre, as 'lifeless corners of this empty frame.'"[23] Mark Griffiths of Kerrang! wrote, "It's a bright and invigorating affair [...] and is, in short, fantastic."[27] The Washington Post's Marianne Meyer opined that the record "nimbly moves from skittish rhythms to genuinely tender sentiment."[28]

Jessica Grose of Spin favorably compared it to Blink-182's Enema of the State (1999).[29] Tony McMenamin of Blender deemed it the publication's album of the month, calling it "a charged mix of instantly catchy pop-punk lashings and somber acoustic wailings."[30]

The album was leaked to file sharing websites within a day of the final mastering and months before its official release.[31] It debuted on the Billboard 200 in the issue dated June 25, 2005 at position 72,[32] selling 16,000 copies in its opening week.[33] It charted better on the magazine's Independent Albums chart, where it peaked at number two.[34] By the end of its inaugural year, the album had moved 125,000 units.[35] The last official estimate placed it at 285,000 albums sold in the U.S.,[36] but Pierre said in 2015 interview that the number is closer to 500,000.[16] The band's music videos found regular rotation on networks such as MTV2, and the band also performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[37] Rolling Stone's Lauren Gilton considered the album a sleeper hit.[38] Nevertheless, the band's breakthrough brought naysayers, and the group became targets for critics of pop punk: "[the band was] frequently characterized as the sort of ultra-commercial punk poseurs who water down the genre to the point of drowning it."[37]

Subsequent reviews of the album have continued to be positive. In 2014, The A.V. Club referred to the album as a classic of pop punk, "full of hook-laden, keyboard-assisted songs whose bright melodies don't mask the despair and self-loathing lurking beneath them."[3] Reyan Ali of Cincinnati CityBeat wrote that Commit This to Memory "absolutely bleeds charm", commenting, "Even with all the dire thematic matter Pierre's lyrics covered, [...] the band framed the words with music that sparkled, owing to spunky, inspired hooks, full-sounding record production and ample doses of Moog."[11] Alternative Press's Tyler Sharp deemed the record a "classic",[39] while Taylor Morgan of OC Weekly called it "the soundtrack of millennial youth, reminiscent of breakups, making out, goofing off, and growing up."[36] James Rettig at Stereogum termed it their best album.[40] BuzzFeed included the album at number 21 on their "36 Pop Punk Albums You Need To Hear Before You F——ing Die" list.[41] NME listed the album as one of "20 Pop Punk Albums Which Will Make You Nostalgic".[42]

Angelo Spagnolo of BuzzFeed wrote that "Commit This To Memory is the type of record your ex left in your car and you pull it from beneath the seat a year later and listen as a flood of memories punches you in the lungs."[43]

Touring

[edit]
The band performs in Denver, Colorado in February 2005.

During the recording of the album, the band embarked on their first headlining tour, The Sub-Par Punk Who Cares Tour 2004.[5] After recording, the band set out on the inaugural Epitaph Tour, alongside Matchbook Romance and From First to Last, with appearances by the Matches and Scatter the Ashes on select dates.[44] The tour visited every major US city, and ran from February 2 to March 19, 2005.[44] The band played to larger crowds on the tours supporting the album, including over 9,000 fans on a Chicago date in 2005.[4] The group "toured incessantly", including dates on the Warped Tour 2005.[12] Afterwards, the band joined the Nintendo Fusion Tour with Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and The Starting Line, which was their largest nationwide tour to that point.[4] The group had been friends with Fall Out Boy for many years prior, having both played side-by-side before either group found their respective success.[12] The next year, the band also played more U.S. shows with OK Go and Plain White Ts, and again headlined the Warped Tour.[35]

The band has on two occasions celebrated the album's tenth and seventeenth anniversaries, respectively, with full-album concerts. The band first played the album in full in 2009;[45] in 2012, they played the full record as part of their "4 Albums. 2 Nights. 7 Cities" jaunt.[46] They embarked on a tour celebrating the tenth anniversary of the album between January and February 2015;[39] the group later extended this outing, and further toured the album between June and August 2015.[47] The band planned to celebrate the album's fifteenth birthday with another anniversary tour, but the COVID-19 pandemic shunted their plans; these shows were later performed in 2022.[48]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Motion City Soundtrack.

Commit This to Memory
No.TitleLength
1."Attractive Today"1:42
2."Everything Is Alright"3:26
3."When "You're" Around"2:51
4."Resolution"3:48
5."Feel Like Rain"3:34
6."Make Out Kids"3:04
7."Time Turned Fragile"4:15
8."L.G. Fuad"3:06
9."Better Open the Door"3:00
10."Together We'll Ring in the New Year"2:13
11."Hangman"2:51
12."Hold Me Down"5:19
Deluxe Edition
No.TitleLength
13."Invisible Monsters"3:55

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[15]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[53] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Commit This to Memory

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from Grokipedia
Commit This to Memory is the second studio album by the American rock band Motion City Soundtrack, released on June 7, 2005, by Epitaph Records.[1][2] Produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, the record blends pop punk, emo, and power pop styles with prominent synthesizer elements and explores themes of relationships, addiction, depression, and personal growth through frontman Justin Pierre's confessional lyrics.[3][1] The album represented a significant breakthrough for the Minneapolis-based band, formed in 1997, peaking at number 72 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number two on the Independent Albums chart, and was later certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies.[4][5] Its lead single, "Everything Is Alright," achieved mainstream radio success and became one of the band's signature songs, contributing to extensive touring including the 2005 Warped Tour.[6] Subsequent singles "Hold Me Down" and "L.G. Fuad" further highlighted the album's emotional depth and catchy melodies. Commit This to Memory has since been praised for its production and lyrical honesty, solidifying Motion City Soundtrack's place in the mid-2000s emo and pop punk scenes.[1]

Background and development

Band context

Motion City Soundtrack was formed in the fall of 1997 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by vocalist and guitarist Justin Pierre and lead guitarist Joshua Cain, who had previously played together in local bands such as The Saddest Girl Story and Slide Coaster.[7] The duo initially recruited additional members for live performances, but the lineup underwent several changes in the early years. By 2002, the band solidified its core configuration with the additions of drummer Tony Thaxton, bassist Matthew Taylor, and keyboardist Jesse Johnson, both Thaxton and Taylor hailing from Richmond, Virginia, where they had collaborated in the band Submerge.[8][9] The band's earliest output included a 7-inch single titled "Promenade/Carolina" in 1999, followed by their debut EP, Kids for America, in 2000, which was self-produced and co-released by local labels.[10] These releases helped build a local following, leading to the self-release of their debut full-length album, I Am the Movie, in 2002, which achieved modest success and was reissued nationally in June 2003 after the band signed with Epitaph Records. That year, Motion City Soundtrack joined Epitaph's roster, aligning with the label's focus on punk and alternative acts, and they gained broader exposure through tours, including their participation in the 2004 Vans Warped Tour.[11] Leading up to the creation of Commit This to Memory, frontman Justin Pierre faced significant personal challenges, including struggles with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and turbulent relationships, which profoundly shaped the album's inception and thematic direction.[12][13] These issues intensified during the post-debut period, prompting Pierre to seek treatment for alcoholism while the band prepared for their sophomore effort.[14] Eager to elevate their sound while staying true to their pop-punk roots, the band decided to enlist Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 as producer, a choice driven by their longstanding fandom of the group and Hoppus's reputation for capturing energetic, melodic punk aesthetics in a polished yet authentic manner.[15][16] This collaboration was seen as a natural fit, given the shared ethos of introspective lyrics over driving rhythms, and marked Hoppus's first full production credit.[17]

Songwriting and recording

The songwriting for Commit This to Memory was spearheaded by frontman Justin Pierre, who infused the lyrics with introspective reflections drawn from his personal turmoil, including struggles with alcohol addiction, anxiety, procrastination, and tumultuous relationships. Pierre began addressing his addiction during this phase by relocating to Los Angeles to live with Epitaph Records founder Brett Gurewitz and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, which informed the album's themes of self-examination and emotional vulnerability. The band collaborated closely with Pierre on crafting melodies and integrating synth elements, building on roughly half the material initially developed in Minneapolis before finalizing in California.[18][19][20] Recording occurred over six weeks in late 2004—specifically October to November—at studios including Seedy Underbelly in Valley Village, Sound Castle in Silver Lake, and Cello Studios in Hollywood. The sessions marked the band's sophomore effort under Epitaph, transitioning from their rawer debut sound to a more polished production.[19][2] Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 served as producer in his debut role, offering hands-on guidance to sharpen pop-punk hooks and deepen emotional resonance while maintaining a relatively relaxed approach akin to Jerry Finn's style. He contributed structural ideas, such as adding bridges to tracks like "Time Turned Fragile," and provided guest vocals on "Hangman." Ryan Hewitt co-produced and engineered, supporting Hoppus in refining the overall sound for broader appeal. The album was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge on tracks including "Everything Is Alright" and "Resolution," with Mark Trombino handling the remainder, and mastered by Tom Baker at Future Disc.[21][17][22][23] The tight schedule presented challenges, including the need to restructure underdeveloped songs and adapt Pierre's vocals from screaming to a more melodic delivery to suit the album's radio-friendly direction. Hoppus's input proved crucial in streamlining tracks like "Everything Is Alright" for commercial viability amid these constraints.[17][22] Guest contributions added texture, with Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy and Robb MacLean of Riddlin' Kids providing additional vocals on "Everything Is Alright," alongside Hoppus's appearance. The band's prior Warped Tour experience with Blink-182 facilitated smoother preparation for the intensive sessions.[24][19]

Composition

Musical style

Commit This to Memory is characterized by its fusion of pop-punk with synth-pop and new wave influences, creating a polished sound that contrasts with the rawer emo-punk style of Motion City Soundtrack's debut album I Am the Movie. The album's core genre draws on energetic pop-punk foundations, enhanced by electronic textures from synthesizers, resulting in an infectious blend of driving rhythms and melodic hooks. This evolution is evident in the refined songwriting and clearer production, which elevate the band's emo-inflected punk into a more accessible, radio-friendly format while retaining emotional depth.[25] Central to the album's instrumentation is keyboardist Jesse Johnson's prominent use of the Moog synthesizer, which adds bubbling electronic layers and atmospheric elements to the tracks, distinguishing the band's sound within the pop-punk scene. Guitarist Joshua Cain delivers fast-paced riffs and chords that propel the songs forward, complemented by Tony Thaxton's precise, thumping drums and Matt Taylor's steady bass lines, all supporting frontman Justin Pierre's soaring, emotive vocals. Production by Blink-182's Mark Hoppus emphasizes inventive techniques, such as layered choruses and dynamic shifts between high-energy verses and introspective bridges, to heighten emotional impact—for instance, the upbeat, hook-driven "Make Out Kids" showcases vibrant pop-punk energy, while "Time Turned Fragile" builds atmospheric tension through synth swells and gradual crescendos.[26][22][3] The album's influences reflect a mix of pop-punk predecessors like Blink-182—channeled through Hoppus's production—and synth-heavy acts such as The Rentals, incorporating 1980s new wave and dance elements into the punk framework. Broader inspirations from Jimmy Eat World and The Cars further infuse the record with melodic sophistication and retro synth vibes, balancing youthful exuberance with mature introspection. Spanning 12 tracks with an average length of around three minutes, Commit This to Memory maintains a tight structure that alternates between explosive anthems and reflective moments, encapsulating the band's signature balance of fun and vulnerability.[10][26][27]

Lyrical themes

The lyrics of Commit This to Memory revolve around deeply personal themes of addiction, failed relationships, self-doubt, and fleeting moments of hope, drawing heavily from frontman Justin Pierre's autobiographical experiences with substance abuse and mental health struggles. Pierre's songwriting captures the chaos of alcoholism and anxiety, often blending raw vulnerability with ironic detachment to highlight the tension between despair and resilience. For instance, "Everything Is Alright" presents an ostensibly upbeat anthem that ironically underscores Pierre's battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and self-medication, repeating the titular phrase as a mantra against overwhelming internal turmoil.[16][12] Similarly, "Together We'll Ring in the New Year" explores the erosion of a relationship due to addiction, with lines like "I'm trying to find out if my words have any meaning" reflecting Pierre's desperation for clarity amid personal wreckage.[28] Pierre's confessional style is evident in tracks that reference his real-life battles, such as substance abuse in "Resolution" and the nostalgic haze of alcohol-fueled memories in "L.G. Fuad," where the acronym stands for "Let's Get Fucked Up and Die," grappling with the seductive pull of self-destruction while clinging to vague optimism: "If memory serves, I'm addicted to words and they're useless." Themes of mortality and regret surface in "Hold Me Down," depicting the receipt of a breakup letter that forces confrontation with emotional isolation and the weight of lost connections. "When 'You're' Around" delves into toxic love, portraying the addictive yet destructive cycle of a harmful partnership. The album's overall narrative arc traces a journey from initial attraction and denial to eventual, hard-won resolution, mirroring Pierre's path through recovery.[28][12][29] These themes are informed by Pierre's influences, including Tom Waits' poetic grit in evoking gritty, character-driven despair; Ben Folds' confessional introspection, akin to piano-driven emotional candor; and John K. Samson's narrative depth from The Weakerthans, which shaped the album's literate, story-like quality. Pierre has cited these artists as key to strengthening his storytelling, aiming to infuse pop-punk with more nuanced emotional layers. His high-pitched, emotive vocal delivery—often falsetto-esque and nasal—amplifies this vulnerability, turning personal confessions into anthemic cries that invite listeners into his fractured psyche. Synth elements occasionally underscore these emotional shifts, adding a layer of synthetic unease to the lyrical introspection.[16][30][31][32]

Release

Initial release

Commit This to Memory was released on June 7, 2005, by Epitaph Records in the United States.[2] The album was issued in multiple formats, including CD and digital download, with vinyl editions following in later reissues starting in 2010.[33] Produced by Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, the release came amid Epitaph's ongoing support for pop-punk bands during a transitional period in the genre, shortly after Blink-182 announced their indefinite hiatus in February 2005.[34] Initial promotion centered on the lead single "Everything Is Alright," which debuted alongside the album and gained traction through radio airplay, contributing to early buzz.[35] The album's marketing highlighted its synth-infused pop-punk sound and themes of personal struggle, with promotional materials including advance CDs distributed to industry insiders.[36] Epitaph, a key player in the punk and pop-punk scene, leveraged its network to drive initial visibility, building on the band's growing fanbase from their 2003 debut. Early sales were bolstered by the single's radio presence, which helped the album chart on the Billboard 200 upon release. Internationally, the album saw a near-simultaneous rollout, with CD releases in Europe on June 7, 2005, and in Japan and Australia later that year through local distributors.[33] Some early international editions featured bonus content, such as the Japanese version including the additional track "Invisible Monsters" as a hidden bonus.[37] A deluxe edition with a bonus DVD of live footage and behind-the-scenes material followed in 2006, but initial pressings focused on standard audio formats.[38] In 2025, to mark the 20th anniversary, the band released updated editions and celebrated with events, maintaining the album's availability in various formats.[39]

Singles

The lead single from Commit This to Memory, "Everything Is Alright", was released on June 7, 2005, ahead of the album's full launch.[40] The track, which explores themes of anxiety and reassurance, peaked at number 16 on the US Alternative Airplay chart, marking the band's first significant radio breakthrough. Its music video, directed by Chris Grismer and Christopher Mills, featured surreal, animated sequences depicting the band's struggles with mental health, and received regular rotation on MTV2, helping to boost the album's visibility.[41][4] The follow-up single, "Hold Me Down", arrived in 2006 and addressed themes of emotional dependency in relationships.[42] While it did not chart as prominently as the lead single, it built on the album's growing momentum through radio airplay. The accompanying video, directed by Matt McDermitt, centered on the band performing amid a snowy landscape with playful elements like snowball fights involving children, emphasizing a raw, performance-driven aesthetic that aired on MTV2 and Fuse.[43][44] "L.G. Fuad", the third and final single released in 2006, stood out for its acronym expansion—"Let's Get Fucked Up and Die"—which captured a darkly humorous take on self-destructive impulses, contributing to its viral appeal through relatable lyrics and energetic delivery. Though it did not enter major charts, the song's quirky charm and fan-favorite status amplified its cultural impact within the emo and pop-punk scenes.[45] The official music video highlighted the band's live energy and the song's anthemic quality, gaining traction on MTV2 alongside the prior singles.[46] Epitaph Records supported the singles with targeted radio promotion, securing airplay on alternative stations to drive album sales.[3] Music videos were produced with budgets aimed at MTV2 and Fuse rotations, enhancing the band's exposure during the mid-2000s punk revival.[4] Additionally, exclusive b-sides and remixes, such as acoustic versions, appeared on compilations including Warped Tour releases, further engaging fans through special editions and tour merchandise.[38]

Commercial performance

Charts

Commit This to Memory entered the US Billboard 200 at number 72 on June 25, 2005, selling 16,000 copies in its first week.[19] The album performed stronger on the Independent Albums chart, reaching a peak position of number 2.[4] Its chart climb was notably boosted by the band's exposure during the 2005 Warped Tour, which helped sustain momentum through the mid-year period.[6] Internationally, the album achieved minor success, peaking at number 41 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.[47] The lead single "Everything Is Alright" contributed significantly to the album's visibility, with the album's overall performance further driven by increasing digital sales in the years following its 2005 release.
RegionChartPeak PositionWeeks on ChartYear-End Ranking
United StatesBillboard 20072N/AN/A
United StatesIndependent Albums2N/AN/A
United KingdomUK Independent Albums Chart41N/AN/A

Certifications and sales

In the United States, Commit This to Memory was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2024, signifying 500,000 equivalent units consumed through sales and streaming.[48] This milestone reflects the album's enduring popularity nearly two decades after its release, encompassing both physical copies and on-demand audio/video streams (where 1,500 streams equal one unit). Internationally, the album has not received major certifications from organizations such as the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) or Music Canada, though it maintains strong digital performance on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.[27] The deluxe edition, released in 2006 with additional tracks, has seen significant streaming activity.[49] Additional revenue has come from physical reissues, including a 2022 vinyl pressing by Epitaph Records and a limited 2023 Bandbox exclusive edition, which have sustained collector interest and contributed to ongoing sales.[50] The 2006 deluxe edition has further bolstered catalog earnings through expanded track listings and bonus content.[38] By 2025, amid 20th anniversary retrospectives and fan discussions of potential reunion activities, streaming equivalents have elevated the album's global consumption beyond its initial physical sales footprint.[39]

Reception

Critical reviews

Upon its release in 2005, Commit This to Memory received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its blend of pop-punk energy, synth elements, and introspective lyrics.[22][51] Alternative Press hailed the album as an "inspired, mature sophomore disc chock full of catchy, intelligent pop-rock," highlighting its versatility for both energetic drives and intimate moments, with tracks like "Resolution" and "Everything Is Alright" described as "certifiable pop gems."[22] Punknews.org similarly lauded the production by Mark Hoppus for elevating the band's sound, noting how it captured Pierre's "surprisingly truthful" explorations of dependence, nostalgia, and relationships, while emphasizing the "ridiculously catchy" hooks in songs such as "When You're Around" and the emotional depth of "Time Turned Fragile."[51] Reviewers often pointed to Pierre's relatable vulnerability, with his earnest, self-deprecating delivery adding authenticity to themes of personal struggle and heartbreak.[26][51] Some critics offered mixed assessments, appreciating the album's strengths but critiquing its pacing. PopMatters called it an "infectious dose of straight-ahead pop-punk" produced with a "keen ear" by Hoppus, yet noted that the midsection "sags under a plethora of mid-tempo tracks" that "indistinguishably blend into one another," lacking the propulsion of the opener "Everything Is Alright" or the closer "Hold Me Down."[26] Despite these reservations, the review commended Pierre's lyrics for their "healthy dose of much needed self-deprecation," which provided emotional resonance amid the formulaic elements.[26] The standout single "L.G. Fuad" drew particular acclaim for its infectious hooks and witty wordplay, often cited as a highlight that exemplified the album's pop-punk appeal.[51] Overall, contemporary coverage positioned Commit This to Memory as a strong evolution for Motion City Soundtrack, blending quirky synth-punk with heartfelt introspection.[22][51]

Legacy and reappraisals

Over the years, Commit This to Memory has garnered significant retrospective acclaim within the pop-punk and emo genres, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of mid-2000s alternative rock. In 2023, Loudwire ranked it at number 25 on their list of the 50 greatest pop-punk albums of all time, praising its blend of infectious melodies and introspective lyrics that captured the era's emotional turbulence.[52] The album's enduring appeal is further evidenced by its inclusion in various "essential" retrospectives, highlighting its role in bridging quirky synth-pop elements with raw punk energy. The record's influence extends to the synth-punk and emo revival of the 2010s, inspiring bands such as Modern Baseball and The Wonder Years, who have cited Motion City Soundtrack's witty, self-deprecating style as a key influence on their own songwriting.[53] Frontman Justin Pierre's lyrics, which candidly explore themes of anxiety, addiction, and personal turmoil drawn from his own experiences, have been frequently referenced in broader discussions of mental health within the punk community, contributing to the album's reputation as a touchstone for vulnerability in rock music.[54] Marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, Commit This to Memory received renewed attention through a feature in Honorable Mention Magazine, which examined its timeless exploration of emotional fragility and resilience in the context of contemporary mental health awareness.[39] Fan communities on platforms like Reddit buzzed with speculation about a potential full-album tour, though no official confirmation emerged beyond the band's announced summer dates; however, the milestone correlated with a noticeable uptick in streaming activity, reflecting sustained listener engagement.[55] Culturally, the album maintains a footprint through its lead single "Everything Is Alright," which appeared in video game soundtracks like MLB 06: The Show and Saints Row, as well as the 2005 film Bad News Bears, embedding its upbeat yet ironic optimism into broader media narratives. As part of Epitaph Records' prolific 2000s output—alongside acts like The Used and Bad Religion—Commit This to Memory exemplifies the label's legacy in nurturing innovative pop-punk that balanced commercial accessibility with artistic depth. In terms of sales longevity, the album achieved gold certification from the RIAA in 2024, representing 500,000 units in the United States when accounting for physical sales and equivalent streaming activity, with global figures exceeding 500,000 copies sold by the mid-2010s and continued digital traction into 2025.[48]

Promotion

Touring

To promote their second studio album Commit This to Memory, Motion City Soundtrack embarked on their first headlining tour, the Sub-Par Punk Who Cares Tour, in late 2004 while the record was still in production. This outing allowed the band to debut several unreleased tracks from the album alongside material from their debut I Am the Movie, helping to generate early buzz ahead of the June 2005 release. The tour featured support acts including Tsunami Bomb, Maxeen, and Limbeck, and spanned select U.S. dates, marking a pivotal step in building the band's live reputation during the recording process.[56] Following the album's release, Motion City Soundtrack joined the Epitaph America Tour from February 2 to March 19, 2005, as a key act on the label's inaugural showcase, performing in every major U.S. city alongside Matchbook Romance, From First to Last, and The Matches. Later that summer, they appeared on the Vans Warped Tour 2005, playing multiple dates on prominent stages and debuting full arrangements of new songs like "Everything Is Alright" and "L.G. FUAD" to enthusiastic crowds. The band closed out the year on the Nintendo Fusion Tour, supporting headliner Fall Out Boy from September 28 to November 23, 2005, with additional acts including Panic! at the Disco, The Starting Line, and Boys Night Out; many shows, such as the October 31 stop at UCI Bren Events Center, sold out, amplifying exposure for Commit This to Memory.[57][58][59] In 2006, the band extended promotion through U.S. headline runs, including the mtvU Campus Invasion Tour starting March 16, co-headlining with Straylight Run and Hellogoodbye across 20 college campuses to reach emerging audiences. Setlists during these 2005–2006 outings emphasized Commit This to Memory, with approximately 70% of songs drawn from the album—such as openers "Attractive Today" and "Capital H," mid-set staples "Everything Is Alright" and "When 'You're' Around," and the frequent closer "Hold Me Down"—reflecting the record's central role in their live performances. These tours collectively drew significant attendance, solidifying the band's fanbase amid the pop-punk boom.[60][61] The demanding schedules took a personal toll on frontman Justin Pierre, who later reflected on his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction during this period of intense touring and rising success, including challenges maintaining sobriety amid the relentless pace. Pierre has credited the era's pressures with exacerbating his issues, though the band's camaraderie and fan connection provided some support; he achieved sobriety around 2010 after years of battles that began in the mid-2000s. These experiences informed the raw, confessional tone of Commit This to Memory and underscored the human cost of the promotional push.[62][63][64]

Anniversary events

The album's tenth anniversary in 2015 was celebrated with a full-album tour featuring the original lineup, spanning over 20 dates in North America during winter and summer legs, supported by acts including The Early November and Copeland.[65][66] The tour included a documentary-style teaser video highlighting the album's production and impact, tying into the band's reflections on its breakthrough success.[67] Plans for a fifteenth anniversary tour in 2020 were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to postponements and a shift to virtual events such as online listening parties and fan Q&A sessions hosted via the band's social channels.[68] The rescheduled seventeenth anniversary tour in 2022 co-headlined with Say Anything, performing the album in full across 20 dates starting in Milwaukee and including stops in Philadelphia and Minneapolis.[69][70] (Note: Reddit post references official announcement; primary source via band site.) A deluxe edition of Commit This to Memory was released in 2006, featuring a bonus DVD with over three hours of content including the "Hooray for the Madness" documentary on the album's creation and a full live performance at 7th Street Entry, alongside the previously unreleased track "Invisible Monsters."[38][71] The twentieth anniversary in 2025 prompted retrospectives, including a detailed feature in Honorable Mention magazine examining the album's energetic themes and lasting influence on pop-punk.[39] Streaming campaigns on platforms like Spotify highlighted the album with curated playlists.[27] Fans speculated about a dedicated tour, though none was confirmed by November 2025; the band instead announced a co-headlining run with Say Anything in late 2025, evoking past anniversary vibes without explicit ties.[72] These events revived interest, boosting the album's profile among newer listeners and contributing to sustained monthly streams exceeding 750,000 for the band overall as of November 2025.[73]

Credits

Track listing

All tracks are written by Justin Pierre, Joshua Cain, Jesse Johnson, Matt Taylor, and Tony Thaxton.[1][19] The standard edition contains 12 tracks with a total runtime of 39:09.[2][74]
No.TitleLength
1Attractive Today1:42
2Everything Is Alright3:26
3When "You're" Around2:51
4Resolution3:48
5Feel Like Rain3:34
6Make Out Kids3:04
7Time Turned Fragile4:15
8L.G. Fuad3:06
9Better Open the Door3:00
10Together We'll Ring in the New Year2:13
11Hangman2:51
12Hold Me Down5:19
The deluxe edition includes the bonus track "Invisible Monsters" (3:57) as the 13th track.[75] The Japanese edition also features "Invisible Monsters" as a bonus track.[37]

Motion City Soundtrack

  • Justin Pierre – lead vocals, guitar
  • Joshua Cain – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jesse Johnson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Matthew Taylor – bass, backing vocals
  • Tony Thaxton – drums

Additional musicians

  • Patrick Stump – additional vocals ("Everything Is Alright")
  • Robb MacLean – backing vocals ("Everything Is Alright")
  • Patrick Carrie – backing vocals ("Everything Is Alright")
  • Mark Hoppus – backing vocals ("Hangman")

Production

Design

  • Ryan Clark – art direction
  • Ken Phoenix – photography
The album was recorded primarily at Seedy Underbelly in Valley Village, California, with additional sessions at Sound Castle in Silver Lake, California, and Cello Studios in Hollywood, California. These credits reflect the original 2005 release and have not changed in subsequent reissues.[2][19]

References

  1. Commit This to Memory - Motion City Soundtrack... - AllMusic
  2. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory
  3. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory - Epitaph Records
  4. Release group “Commit This to Memory” by Motion City Soundtrack
  5. The Summer Punk Went Pop: Oral History of the 2005 Warped Tour
  6. * Motion City Memories * - About The Band
  7. Motion City Soundtrack Tickets, 2025-2026 Concert Tour Dates
  8. Check out a brand new interview with Motion City Soundtrack!
  9. Motion City Soundtrack | Less Than Jake Wiki | Fandom
  10. Motion City Soundtrack Concludes Two Decade Career At Riot Fest
  11. Motion City Soundtrack: When pop-punk was forced to grow up
  12. Motion City Soundtrack revives milestone, troubled disc
  13. Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre Talks 'Commit This to Memory ...
  14. INTERVIEW: Motion City Soundtrack (USA), February 2010
  15. A Eulogy for Motion City Soundtrack, the Band That Was a ... - VICE
  16. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory – Interview
  17. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory - Be My Escape
  18. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This to Memory Lyrics and Tracklist
  19. How Justin Courtney Pierre cheated death and fell in love with life ...
  20. Motion City Soundtrack Get Committed - Rolling Stone
  21. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory
  22. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory
  23. https://www.discogs.com/release/3842350-Motion-City-Soundtrack-Commit-This-To-Memory
  24. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory - chorus.fm
  25. Motion City Soundtrack: Commit This to Memory - PopMatters
  26. Commit This To Memory - Album by Motion City Soundtrack | Spotify
  27. I'm Addicted To Words and They're Useless - The Sundae
  28. Motion City Soundtrack – Hold Me Down Lyrics - Genius
  29. Justin Pierre Dishes on New Motion City Soundtrack Album
  30. MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK'S HAPPY SAD DIVERGENCE
  31. Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre - The Reader - Omaha
  32. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory
  33. Blink-182 Taking "Hiatus" - Rolling Stone
  34. Motion City Soundtrack: 10 Years Of "Commit This To Memory ...
  35. https://www.discogs.com/release/5148629-Motion-City-Soundtrack-Commit-This-To-Memory
  36. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory
  37. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory (Deluxe Edition)
  38. When did Motion City Soundtrack release “Everything Is Alright”?
  39. NEW RELEASE: Motion City Soundtrack "Everything Is Alright"
  40. Motion City Soundtrack - Hold Me Down - Epitaph Records
  41. Motion City Soundtrack - Hold Me Down (2006) - IMVDb
  42. NEW RELEASE: Motion City Soundtrack "Hold Me Down" | VideoStatic
  43. Motion City Soundtrack - L.G. FUAD - Epitaph Records
  44. Motion City Soundtrack - "L.G. FUAD" (Official Music Video) - YouTube
  45. Official Independent Albums Chart on 12/6/2005
  46. Motion City Soundtrack Gets a Gold Record - chorus.fm
  47. Streaming Statistics of Music Album Commit This To Memory ...
  48. https://www.discogs.com/release/24812303-Motion-City-Soundtrack-Commit-This-To-Memory
  49. Twenty Years of Motion City Soundtrack's Commit This To Memory
  50. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory - Punknews.org
  51. The 50 Greatest Pop-Punk Albums of All Time - Ranked - Loudwire
  52. Commit This to Memory: Celebrating Motion City Soundtrack
  53. Midnight Creeping In: Justin Courtney Pierre Shares Psychiatric ...
  54. Happy 20th anniversary to “Commit This To Memory”! : r/poppunkers
  55. Tours: Motion City Soundtrack / Tsunami Bomb / Maxeen / Limbeck
  56. All Epitaph Tour 2005 show dates on sale now!
  57. Warped Tour 2005
  58. Fall Out Boy To Lead Nintendo Fusion Tour - Billboard
  59. Motion City Soundtrack to headline 2006 mtvU "Campus Invasion ...
  60. Motion City Soundtrack Tour Statistics: Commit This to Memory
  61. Justin Pierre: Motion City Soundtrack, Drinking & Longevity
  62. Justin Pierre: Motion City Soundtrack, Alcoholism Recovery - YouTube
  63. https://www.discogs.com/release/26775215-Motion-City-Soundtrack-Commit-This-To-Memory
  64. Motion City Soundtrack announce “Commit This To Memory” 10 year ...
  65. https://www.idobi.com/news/motion-city-soundtrack-anniversary-tour/
  66. Motion City Soundtrack Commit This To Memory 10 Year ... - YouTube
  67. Motion City Soundtrack Singer Talks About 'Commit This to Memory ...
  68. Motion City Soundtrack plot 'Commit This to Memory' anniversary tour
  69. Motion City Soundtrack Commit This To Memory 17th Anniversary ...
  70. MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK - COMMIT THIS TO MEMORY
  71. Commit This To Memory Vinyl - Motion City Soundtrack
  72. Motion City Soundtrack
  73. Motion City Soundtrack - Spotify
  74. Commit This to Memory by Motion City Soundtrack (Album, Pop Punk)
  75. Commit This to Memory (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Motion City ...
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