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For Those Who Have Heart
The backside of a person on a crumbled piece of paper holding a bat. Underneath, higlighted, reads "For Those Who Have Heart" in black. "A Day To Remember" is above in black.
Studio album by
A Day to Remember
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2007 (2007-01-22)
RecordedOctober–November 2006
StudioZing Studios, Westfield, Massachusetts
Genre
Length42:42
LabelVictory
Producer
  • Eric Arena
  • A Day to Remember
A Day to Remember chronology
And Their Name Was Treason
(2005) 		For Those Who Have Heart
(2007) 		Homesick
(2009)
Reissue slipcase cover

For Those Who Have Heart is the second studio album by the American rock band A Day to Remember, and their first for Victory. It was released on January 22, 2007 by Victory. For the album, the band had a line-up change swapping drummer Bobby Scruggs for Alex Shelnutt. It charted at number 17 on the Heatseekers Album Chart in the U.S. The music video for "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" was released a month later. Several of the album's songs appeared on the band's Myspace profile before the release. Recorded and mixed at Zing Studios by producer Eric Arena, the album was re-released in February 2008, with additional tracks and a bonus DVD. The DVD featured a performance of the band live at the Capitol, in the band's hometown, Ocala, Florida. The music video for "The Danger in Starting a Fire" was released in the same month, and the music video for "Since U Been Gone", which had been streamed on the band's Myspace, was released in July. For Those Who Have Heart was generally well received by music critics.

Background and recording

[edit]

Leaving Indianola and arrival of Alex Shelnutt

[edit]

After releasing their first album, And Their Name Was Treason (2005), A Day to Remember went on a tour of the U.S. in summer 2005.[2][3] As rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall said, Indianola "didn't have money to support a band growing [...] so we wanted to find someone who could support us and willing to do video, like recording budget, working with a producer, studio we wanted to work with, whatever. Like Indianola couldn't do that."[4]

Drummer Bobby Scruggs told the band he wasn't going to continue with the band,[5] and on January 27, 2006 it was posted online that the band were looking for a new drummer, for the start of a tour in mid-February.[6] Eventually, bassist Joshua Woodard and Westfall recruited drummer Alex Shelnutt[5] only three days before going on tour.[7] Upon being asked, Shelnutt's response was "Ask my mom", as he was 15 at the time.[5] Upon Shelnutt joining, Westfall said the group "started sounding like a real professional band. He gave us something we never had before."[8]

Signing with Victory Records and recording

[edit]

The whole record was about pretty much standing up for yourself and, a lot of people do really shitty things to you. That's what was happening to us, a lot, and that [...] you shouldn't back down from people.[4]

– Jeremy McKinnon, upon being asked what message the album was trying to convey, 2007

Woodard was put in touch with a representative from record label Victory Records.[9] Victory auditioned the band in June, and following a week-long worth of phone calls, the group were told of Victory's interest in signing them up.[8]

The band was reported to have signed a deal with Victory in July.[10] An announcement of Victory signing the band was released on August 11, 2006.[11] Demos were recorded by Matt Finch at 318 Studios,[12] with pre-production at The Wade Studios in Ocala by Andrew Wade.[12] Recording began in October at Zing Studios, Westfield with producer Eric Arena.[11][12] Arena also mixed the tracks.[12] Alan Douches mastered the record at West West Side Music, New Windsor.[12]

Release

[edit]

Initial releases

[edit]

Prior to the release of the album, a few tracks were made available for streaming via the band's Myspace: "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle",[13] "Fast Forward to 2012",[14] "The Danger in Starting a Fire", "A Shot in the Dark" and "Show 'Em the Ropes". Cover art was unveiled on November 30, 2006.[15] A commercial to promote the album was released on January 4, 2007.[16] Pre-orders were taken starting January 16.[17] The album was released in the US on January 22,[nb 1][19] while the UK release occurred a week later, on January 29.[20] On March 8, the band released the music video for "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle",[21] which featured Ron Jeremy.[22] The video was filmed in Los Angeles.[8] After being asked how they got Jeremy to appear, McKinnon said "It was pretty much some that we were kicking around. We were kicking around different people and I think, Tony threw that out there, out of nowhere and we were like 'That'd be cool, that'd be funny, people will be into that.'".[4]

A few days later, the band appeared at Victory's showcase event at SXSW, on March 14.[23] In May, the band toured alongside Drop Dead, Gorgeous on their US west coast tour, prior to a trek with Alesana.[24][25] In July and August, the band supported The Sleeping on their U.S. tour.[26] In September, it was announced that the album had sold 20,000 copies.[27] In early-to-mid October, the group supported Silverstein on their headlining tour of the U.S.[28] From late October to early December, the group went on the 2007 edition of the Victory Tour.[29] A live video of "Monument" appeared exclusively on Punkrockvids on December 5.[30]

Re-release of the album

[edit]

On February 4, 2008, a re-recording of "You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance" was posted on the band's Myspace.[31] The album was reissued on February 19.[nb 2][31] The reissue has different cover artwork, as well as four bonus tracks – the track listing of which was revealed on February 1.[33] The bonus tracks are: a new song recorded especially for the reissue,[34] titled "Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats", two re-recorded songs that were originally featured on their debut album, And Their Name Was Treason – "Heartless"[35] and the aforementioned "You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance"[31] – and a cover of the Kelly Clarkson song, "Since U Been Gone".[36] The new tracks were recorded at The Wade Studio.[12][34] In addition to these bonus tracks, is a bonus DVD with footage of A Day to Remember's performance in Ocala, two music videos, as well as behind the scenes footage of recording and commentary on the re-release. The re-release came about after Victory asked the band whether or not if they were going to do a new album.[34] Commenting about Victory's inquiry about a new album, Woodard "We weren't ready to do it [a new album], so they asked if, you know, we were interested in doing a re-release with new artwork and adding some new songs."[34]

About the re-recording of the old songs, Westfall said "We've made a lot of changes to these songs that we play live [...] and now we're getting a chance to record it, so the people that don't get to see us live can hear it and appreciate it for what it is."[34] On the new tracks, producer Andrew Wade said "I think this new stuff that we're recording is really gonna blow a lot of kids away. [...] [The re-recordings] just sound amazing, they all sound like completely different songs, and the new song is serious."[34] About the new song, "Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats", the band wanted to do a fast-paced song.[34] McKinnon admitted the band "kinda just winged it. But we had some little ideas from being on tour and messing around."[34] Woodard said about inspiration for the tempo of the song: "We've all been listening to a lot of faster stuff like Comeback Kid and stuff like that and I don't know and just sitting here one day 'let's write a fast song'."[34] "Since U Been Gone" had appeared on the band's Myspace account, on September 21, 2007,[37][38] as free for download.[39] "Since U Been Gone" had overdubs added to it especially for the release on the For Those Who Have Heart reissue.[34]

The band chose "Since U Been Gone" because, as McKinnon stated, "we thought would embody what we are as a band by taking like, the poppiest thing ever and still making it hard enough to where kids fight at our shows over it."[34] The performance included on the DVD was filmed at the Capitol, a building that used to be a bank, in Ocala,[34] on January 5, 2008.[40] The performance was filmed by Dan Dobi,[40] with audio recorded by Wade.[34] In February and March 2008, the band went on a US tour alongside Silverstein, the Devil Wears Prada, Protest the Hero and Four Letter Lie.[41] The music video for "The Danger in Starting a Fire" was posted online on February 29, 2008.[42] In early April, the band appeared at the Bamboozle Left festival.[43] On April 16, 2008, it was announced that the band would be filming a music video for "Since U Been Gone" on April 29 and 30.[44] Five days later, it was mentioned online that the video's director was Don Tyler.[45] In June and July, the band performed on the 2008 edition of Warped Tour.[46] The music video for "Since U Been Gone" appeared on YouTube on July 23.[47][48] In September and October, the band went on a US tour with New Found Glory.[49] The re-recorded version of "Heartless" appeared on the band's MySpace profile in October 2008.[35]

Further appearances

[edit]

"The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" was included on Victory's Victory Records Label Sampler, from 2009.[50] "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" was available as downloadable content in the video game Rock Band 3 via the Rock Band Network.[51] The band played an acoustic version of "Monument" and two tracks from Homesick (2009) for KROQ on August 3, 2010.[52][53] The album, along with Homesick and Attack of the Killer B-Sides (2010), had a reissue on vinyl,[54] in 2011.[55] Another vinyl reissue was released, in 3 different colors, in 2013.[nb 3]

Reception

[edit]

The original edition peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart,[59][60] while the reissue charted at number 43 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[59][61] Russ Hockenbury of AbsolutePunk said the album "improved on every level" from their previous album, And Their Name Was Treason.[62] McKinnon's vocals were noted by Hockenbury as "the greatest improvement".[62] AllMusic reviewer Corey Apar spoke of "Fast Forward to 2012" as being an appropriate opening track that summarized a "display of the band's volatile persona; it launches forth in melodic hardcore mode before quickly dropping into death snarling and sludgy riffing".[1] Apar also said that the combination endures "in varying levels" throughout the rest of the album.[1] For PopMatters, Andrew Blackie had written the album was a mix of "death metal grunts with the brash melodies of pop-punk".[20] Speaking of "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle", Blackie said the song had "a Green Day sensibility to it", with music that "fitted together with class and precision" helped by that of Shelnutt.[20]

Punknews.org contributor Tyler Barrett said "Fast Forward to 2012" was "incredibly promising" but within "mere seconds the melodic punk is replaced by vocals that sound like a post-Taco Bell burrito belch".[63] About the band playing "The Price We Pay", he also said the group had fallen "equally flat with their attempt at acoustic emo pop" with "horrifically banal lyrics".[63] Rolling Stone magazine said the album was "among the 40 most important new releases of the month".[39]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics and music by A Day to Remember.[64]

No.TitleLength
1."Fast Forward to 2012"1:33
2."Speak of the Devil"3:24
3."The Danger in Starting a Fire"3:03
4."The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle"4:04
5."Monument"3:48
6."The Price We Pay"2:43
7."Colder Than My Heart, If You Can Imagine"4:03
8."Show 'Em the Ropes"3:23
9."A Shot in the Dark"3:52
10."Here's to the Past"3:59
11."I Heard It's the Softest Thing Ever"4:06
12."Start the Shooting"4:44
Total length:42:42
Other editions
Reissue CD bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Heartless" (Re-recorded from And Their Name Was Treason)3:00
14."You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance" (Re-recorded from And Their Name Was Treason)3:40
15."Since U Been Gone" (Kelly Clarkson cover)3:18
16."Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats"1:54
Total length:53:23
Reissue bonus DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Fast Forward to 2012" (live performance)2:27
2."Heartless" (live performance)2:54
3."A Shot in the Dark" (live performance)4:11
4."1958" (live performance)4:15
5."Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats" (live performance)2:00
6."Since U Been Gone" (live performance)3:06
7."Monument" (live performance)3:48
8."The Danger in Starting a Fire" (live performance)2:57
9."You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance" (live performance)3:45
10."The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" (live performance)4:28
11."The Danger in Starting a Fire" (music video)3:04
12."The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" (music video)4:09
13."Behind the Scenes in Ocala" (featurette)20:02

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per reissue edition booklet.[12]

References

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

For Those Who Have Heart

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
For Those Who Have Heart is the second studio album by the American rock band , released on January 22, 2007, through . The album marks the band's first release with and features a blend of and elements, characterized by heavy breakdowns, melodic choruses, and influences. Recorded at Zing Studios in , it consists of 12 tracks, including standout songs such as "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle," "Monument," and "," with a total runtime of approximately 43 minutes. The record played a pivotal role in establishing 's presence in the scene, contributing to their rise on the circuit and garnering a dedicated fanbase. In 2023, the album was remastered and reissued by , featuring enhanced audio quality and limited-edition vinyl variants.

Background

Label transition

Following the release of their debut album And Their Name Was Treason in 2005 on Indianola Records, A Day to Remember grew dissatisfied with the label's handling of the band. As a small independent outfit based in Valdosta, Georgia, Indianola lacked the resources and expertise to provide adequate promotional support, leaving the group to largely self-promote through grassroots touring despite modest sales of around 8,000 copies. Lead vocalist Jeremy McKinnon later reflected on this period, stating, "It was a small label, and they didn’t really know what to do with us." In mid-2006, the band began auditioning for new labels, including a showcase performance in after touring with On the Last Day, to secure better opportunities for growth. This effort culminated in their signing with on July 21, 2006, a Chicago-based independent label specializing in punk, hardcore, , metal, and alternative acts. Victory's established distribution network and roster of influential bands in the punk and hardcore scenes positioned it to offer wider reach and professional support compared to Indianola. Around this time, the band also integrated new drummer Alex Shelnutt into the lineup. The transition enabled the group to enter the studio for their sophomore album, For Those Who Have Heart, under a multi-album deal that would define their early mainstream breakthrough.

Lineup changes

Prior to the recording of For Those Who Have Heart, underwent a key lineup change with the departure of founding drummer Bobby Scruggs in 2006. Scruggs had been part of the band since its formation in but stepped away as the group prepared for their next phase. The band quickly auditioned replacements and brought in 15-year-old Alex Shelnutt on drums, who joined just days before the start of a major tour that year. Shelnutt integrated seamlessly during the of the album, contributing to its development and marking his debut full-length recording with the band. This solidified the core lineup for For Those Who Have Heart as vocalist , rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall, bassist Joshua Woodard, lead guitarist , and drummer Alex Shelnutt. The change occurred amid the band's transition to , setting the stage for the album's release.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording sessions for For Those Who Have Heart took place from October to November 2006 at Zing Studios in . The band, having recently signed with , entered the studio following a period of lineup adjustments, including the addition of drummer Alex Shelnutt, who had joined just prior to the project. Pre-production work was handled by at his studio in , where the band refined their material before heading to Zing Studios for the full tracking. Demos were initially recorded by Matt Finch at 318 Studios to capture early versions of the songs. The sessions presented logistical hurdles due to Shelnutt's youth—he was 16 years old during recording—and his status as a newcomer to the group, requiring additional time to integrate his contributions amid the band's evolving dynamic. Despite these obstacles, the focused two-month timeline allowed the to complete tracking efficiently, laying the foundation for the album's blend of intensity and accessibility.

Production team

The production of For Those Who Have Heart was overseen by Eric Arena and the band , who served as co-producers, guiding the album's overall sound and creative direction. Arena, a seasoned engineer known for his work in the and scenes, took primary responsibility for recording and mixing the tracks, ensuring a polished blend of the band's aggressive and melodic elements. His involvement extended to capturing the raw energy of the performances while refining the production for ' standards. Supporting Arena's efforts, additional engineering duties were handled by Chris Fortin and Joe Mahoney, who contributed to tracking and technical aspects during the sessions. These roles were crucial in managing the multi-layered instrumentation, including guitars, drums, and vocals, to achieve the album's . Once mixed, the album was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Mastering in , where he applied final equalization, compression, and loudness optimization to prepare it for distribution. Douches' expertise helped balance the high-energy tracks, enhancing clarity and impact across playback formats. In the 2008 reissue, Andrew Wade stepped in to record the four bonus tracks—"Heartless," "You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance," "Since U Been Gone," and "Why Walk On Water When We've Got Boats"—at The Wade Studios in Ocala, Florida. Wade, a frequent collaborator with the band, brought his production skills to these additions, maintaining consistency with the original's aesthetic while introducing fresh arrangements. This work expanded the album's scope without altering the core production team from the initial release.

Composition

Musical style

For Those Who Have Heart is primarily classified as a album, incorporating influences from , , and . The record exemplifies a fusion of aggressive hardcore elements with accessible pop sensibilities, characterized by its dynamic shifts between intense metalcore breakdowns and catchy, anthemic pop-punk choruses. This blending creates a sound that balances mosh-pit energy with sing-along hooks, distinguishing the album within the mid-2000s rock landscape. Central to the album's sonic identity are its heavy breakdowns, which deliver brutal, Hatebreed-inspired aggression, contrasted by fast-paced, melodic riffs and the duality of clean, soaring vocals and screamed growls from frontman . Tracks like "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" showcase this volatile energy through rapid tempo changes and pit-ready sections that erupt into memorable, choruses. The overall runtime of 42:42 allows for a tight, 12-track structure that maintains momentum without filler. Compared to the band's debut And Their Name Was Treason, For Those Who Have Heart features more polished production, with enhanced clarity in the mix that amplifies the impact of its breakdowns and vocal performances. While rooted in the heavier, less refined style of Ocala's hardcore and scene, the introduces subtle electronic elements in the opener "Fast Forward to 2012," adding a futuristic edge to its blitz. This bridges punk's broad accessibility with hardcore's raw aggression, laying groundwork for the easycore subgenre by successfully merging commercially viable with bone-crushing .

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics for For Those Who Have Heart were written entirely by vocalist , who served as the band's primary songwriter and handled all lyrical content for the album. McKinnon's writing draws from personal experiences, infusing the tracks with raw emotion and direct language that resonates with the band's audience. This approach established his role as the central creative force behind A Day to Remember's style, focusing on introspective and confrontational . Central themes in the album revolve around betrayal in relationships, personal resilience, revenge, and youthful angst, reflecting the emotional turmoil of young adulthood and interpersonal conflicts. For instance, "Speak of the Devil" confronts deceit and betrayal, with McKinnon declaring vengeance against those who have wronged the narrator: "This is my vengeance for all the wrongs you've formed against us / You left us to rot, now you're crawling back for more." Tracks like "The Price We Pay" emphasize resilience and perseverance amid adversity, repeating lines such as "Days roll on / Shout it out loud / We know the price we pay" to underscore standing firm despite challenges. These motifs capture a sense of defiance and loyalty to friends and self, often framed through the lens of not backing down from confrontation. The lyrics also echo the band's origins in Florida's DIY hardcore scene, promoting an ethos of self-reliance and authenticity in the face of industry and personal betrayals. McKinnon's vocal delivery amplifies these themes through a dynamic blend of , melodic and aggressive screams, creating stark emotional contrasts that mirror the lyrical tension between and . This duality—shifting from introspective croons in verses to roars in choruses and breakdowns—heightens the impact of songs dealing with and , allowing listeners to feel the push-pull of hurt and . The 2008 reissue expands the lyrical scope with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "," reinterpreted in a style that aligns with the album's themes of post-betrayal recovery and moving on. McKinnon's adaptation retains the original's anthemic energy while infusing it with the band's heavier edge, turning it into a defiant of resilience.

Release and promotion

Initial release

For Those Who Have Heart was first released on January 22, 2007, in the United States through , marking the band's first release with the label. The album became available internationally shortly thereafter. It was distributed in both CD and digital formats, allowing for widespread accessibility in the emerging online music era. In the lead-up to the launch, A Day to Remember built anticipation by streaming several tracks from the album on their MySpace profile starting in late 2006. This pre-release promotion leveraged the platform's popularity among rock and punk audiences, helping to cultivate early fan engagement and buzz for the record. The initial packaging featured a standard jewel case for the CD edition, with artwork depicting guitarist Neil Westfall from behind, holding a baseball bat concealed in one hand and brass knuckles in the other, set against a crumpled paper texture and a predominantly yellow color scheme. This visual design emphasized the album's aggressive and confrontational themes. The album achieved an early sales milestone, moving more than 20,000 copies in the United States by September , as tracked by Nielsen SoundScan. This figure underscored the band's growing appeal within the and scenes.

2008 reissue

The 2008 of For Those Who Have Heart was released on February 19, 2008, by . This expanded edition added four bonus tracks to the original 12-track album: "Heartless," "You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance" (both re-recorded versions of songs from the band's 2005 debut And Their Name Was Treason), a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "," and a new original song, "Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats." The bonus tracks were recorded by , extending the album's total length to 53:23. The reissue also included a bonus DVD featuring a full live performance recorded on January 5, 2008, at The Capitol in Ocala, Florida, the band's hometown. Directed by Dan Dobi and with audio recorded by Andrew Wade, the DVD captured a 32-minute concert set including songs from the album alongside the bonus tracks, supplemented by behind-the-scenes footage and music videos such as "The Danger in Starting a Fire." This edition was issued amid the band's rising profile after extensive touring in support of the original 2007 release, providing fans with new material and visual content to sustain momentum.

Singles and music videos

The album For Those Who Have Heart did not have formal radio singles, with promotion instead focusing on digital platforms such as for track downloads and streaming. The lead single, "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle", received a release on March 8, 2007, directed by Dan Dobi and featuring performing amid chaotic scenes involving adult film actor . Subsequent videos supported the 2008 reissue, including one for "The Danger in Starting a Fire" released on February 29, 2008, which depicts in a high-energy live setting with and crowd interaction. The cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" followed with its music video on July 23, 2008, showcasing the band delivering a heavier, post-hardcore reinterpretation in a dimly lit, industrial environment. These videos aired on specialty music programs like MTV2's Headbangers Ball and Fuse, helping to expand the band's visibility within the metalcore and pop-punk scenes.

Touring and marketing

Following the January 2007 release of For Those Who Have Heart, A Day to Remember embarked on an extensive touring schedule to build momentum, beginning with support slots on established acts' bills. Early tours included an appearance at (SXSW) in , on March 14, 2007, as part of ' showcase, where they performed tracks from the album to industry attendees and fans. In October 2007, the band joined Silverstein, , and for a series of U.S. shows, including performances at venues like The Glass House in , on October 13. These early outings helped solidify their presence in the and scenes. Marketing efforts emphasized digital and grassroots strategies to reach a growing audience. The band leveraged for streaming pre-production demos and full tracks from the album, capitalizing on the platform's role in the mid-2000s music discovery era to promote songs like "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle." Inclusion on samplers further amplified exposure, with select cuts distributed to fans and retailers. In their home state of , the group fostered connections within the local scene through shows at Ocala venues like Alethia on September 29, 2007, alongside other regional acts such as LYFE and Versa Emerge, emphasizing community-driven promotion. The 2008 reissue of the album included a DVD featuring a full live performance recorded at The Capitol Theatre in , serving as a key promotional tool to showcase their energetic stage presence and hometown roots. This release fueled expanded touring, including the Easycore Tour supporting New Found Glory from September to October 2008, with dates at larger venues like the in . The band also performed on the 2008 across multiple U.S. stops from June to August, appearing on the Collapse Stage at events in cities like , on June 20, which marked a step toward broader national visibility.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Upon its release in January 2007, For Those Who Have Heart debuted and peaked at number 17 on the Top Heatseekers Albums chart, reflecting its early success within emerging and independent rock acts. The album did not enter the mainstream , underscoring the band's initial niche appeal in the and scenes at the time. The February 2008 reissue achieved further recognition, reaching number 43 on the Independent Albums chart, which highlighted sustained interest among indie label releases. Internationally, the album saw limited but notable placement, peaking at number 44 on the Official Independent Albums Chart for one week.
Chart (2007–2008)Peak position
US Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums17
Independent Albums43
Official Independent Albums44

Sales and certifications

Upon its release in January 2007, For Those Who Have Heart sold more than 20,000 copies within its initial period, marking a significant milestone for the band on the independent label Victory Records. As an indie release, the album demonstrated robust performance in the alternative rock and metalcore markets, relying on grassroots support and label distribution without attaining any RIAA certifications. The 2008 reissue, featuring additional tracks, provided a notable sales boost by expanding its reach and charting at number 43 on the Billboard Top . Subsequent on platforms like and further enhanced its long-term commercial metrics, contributing to sustained streams and downloads amid the band's growing popularity.

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in January 2007, For Those Who Have Heart received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the band's evolution in blending melodies with aggression, though some noted inconsistencies in execution. AbsolutePunk.net highlighted the album's improvements over the band's debut, particularly vocalist Jeremy McKinnon's increased confidence and range, describing it as a step forward in production and songcraft that bridged disparate scenes despite potential backlash from purists. AllMusic's review by Eduardo Rivadavia appreciated the album's energetic qualities. PopMatters commended the innovative crossover of death metal grunts and pop-punk melodies, rating it 8/10 and noting the high energy and precise drumming, though conceding that the lyrics fell short of high art. Mixed responses pointed to occasional weaknesses in songwriting. Punknews.org awarded it 5/10, praising the band's earnest intentions and relative lack of pretension compared to peers but criticizing clichéd breakdowns, belch-like vocals, and some banal tracks that undermined the overall promise. The album lacked an aggregate Metacritic score due to limited major outlet coverage at the time, but contemporary outlets largely viewed it as a favorable entry point for the band's accessible, genre-straddling style.

Retrospective views

In the years following its release, For Those Who Have Heart has been widely recognized as a breakthrough album in A Day to Remember's career, solidifying their transition from local act to national prominence. The 2023 vinyl announcement emphasized its role as their debut and the catalyst for extensive touring, underscoring its enduring foundational status, with the band celebrating it as a milestone in their 20-year history. This , marking the album's return to vinyl after 16 years, further highlighted its importance. Later critical assessments have praised the album for pioneering the fusion of and , a style often termed "easycore" for its accessible yet aggressive blend. A 2019 Kerrang! retrospective on the band's evolution described For Those Who Have Heart as a "heavier, less-refined" effort that introduced melodic mantras infused with hardcore breakdowns, drawing from influences like blink-182 and the Ocala scene to create a genre-bending template. Reviews from outlets like highlighted its "exciting" energy, while KillYourStereo called it "highly enjoyable" for balancing diversified elements of , , and hardcore without compromise. The album's influence on the easycore subgenre has been cited in post-2010 analyses as a key example of scene-blending innovation. Kerrang! noted how its structure—alternating melodic choruses with mosh-inducing riffs—foreshadowed broader acceptance of hybrid sounds, influencing subsequent acts by demonstrating how accessibility could coexist with intensity. This pioneering approach was further validated in the streaming era through a 2023 digital re-release featuring a remixed and remastered version, which renewed accessibility on platforms and affirmed its lasting appeal amid evolving consumption habits. No major anniversary editions have emerged beyond the 2023 vinyl and digital efforts, yet these updates highlight the album's sustained critical and cultural resonance.

Track listing

Original edition

The original edition of For Those Who Have Heart, released on January 22, 2007, by , comprises 12 tracks all written by the band's members (vocals), (guitar), Neil Westfall (guitar), Josh Woodard (bass), and Alex Shelnutt (drums). The album's total runtime is 42:42. Below is the track listing with durations:
No.TitleWriter(s)Duration
1"Fast Forward to 2012"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt1:33
2""McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt3:23
3"The Danger in Starting a Fire"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt3:02
4"The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt4:04
5""McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt3:48
6"The Price We Pay"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt2:43
7"Cliche"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt3:17
8"Here's to the Past"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt3:59
9"I Heard It's the Softest Thing Ever"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt4:06
10"Another Song About the Weekend"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt3:34
11"If Actions Speak Louder Than Words"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt2:42
12"Start the Shooting"McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt4:44

2008 reissue edition

The 2008 reissue of For Those Who Have Heart, released on February 19 by , augmented the original 12-track with four bonus tracks and a companion DVD containing live performances, music videos, and supplementary material recorded in the band's hometown of . This expanded edition provided fans with previously unreleased studio recordings and visual content captured during an early 2008 show, enhancing the 's appeal amid the band's rising popularity in the and scenes. The bonus tracks consist of three original compositions by —, Neil Westfall, Kevin Skaff, Alex Shelnutt, and Jordan Butler (the latter appearing as a guest on bass for some recordings)—along with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "." These songs were produced to complement the album's blend of aggressive breakdowns and melodic choruses, offering fresh material that showcased the band's evolving songwriting. The additions extend the album's total runtime to 54:34, providing 11:52 additional minutes of music beyond the original edition.
TrackTitleDurationWriter(s)
13Heartless3:00
14You Should’ve Killed Me When You Had the Chance3:40
15Since U Been Gone3:18Lukasz Gottwald, Martin Sandberg
16Why Walk on Water When We’ve Got Boats1:54
The bonus DVD features a complete live performance filmed at The Capitol in Ocala on January 5, 2008, comprising 10 songs that highlight the band's high-energy stage presence, including "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle," "," and several bonus tracks like "Heartless" and "." Additional content includes behind-the-scenes footage from the Ocala sessions, offering insights into the band's local roots and creative process, as well as official for "The Danger in Starting a Fire" and "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle." This multimedia package was designed to deepen listener engagement, capturing the raw intensity of A Day to Remember's early live shows in their formative hometown environment.

Personnel

Band members

The lineup of A Day to Remember for their 2007 album For Those Who Have Heart featured on lead vocals, on lead guitar and backing vocals, Neil Westfall on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Joshua Woodard on , and Alex Shelnutt—who had joined in —on drums.
MemberRole
Lead vocals
Lead guitar, backing vocals
Neil WestfallRhythm guitar, backing vocals
Joshua WoodardBass guitar
Alex ShelnuttDrums
Tom Denney, who performed on the album, left the band in 2009 to focus on record production and family life.

Production and technical

The production of For Those Who Have Heart was handled by Eric Arena alongside the band , who co-produced the . Recording and mixing duties were primarily led by Arena, capturing the band's blend of intensity and accessibility during sessions that emphasized raw energy and tight performances. Additional support came from Chris Fortin and Joe Mahoney, who assisted in refining tracks to ensure clarity in the dense instrumentation. The final mastering was performed by Alan Douches at West West Side Mastering, providing the polished sonic balance that contributed to the 's enduring appeal. The 2008 reissue expanded the original release with bonus tracks and a live DVD, incorporating and recording work by for the additional content. The DVD, featuring a full performance from The Capitol in , was directed by Dan Dobi, with audio captured by Wade to preserve the band's high-energy stage presence. This technical approach for the maintained continuity with the original's sound while highlighting the band's live dynamism through professional video and audio integration.

Legacy

Impact on the band

The release of For Those Who Have Heart in 2007 marked a pivotal commercial breakthrough for , propelling the band from local obscurity to a prominent position within the scene. The album showcased the band's signature blend of aggression and melodies, earning critical attention and building a dedicated fanbase. This success, achieved through their signing with , transitioned the group from regional performers to national contenders, setting the stage for sustained growth in visibility and opportunities. The album also played a crucial role in stabilizing the band's lineup during a formative period. Drummer Alex Shelnutt, who joined at age 15 in 2006 after the departure of original member Bobby Scruggs, recorded his first full-length effort with For Those Who Have Heart, solidifying his position as a core member amid the band's rising profile. Founding guitarist Tom Denney's contributions were equally instrumental; as lead guitarist and co-producer, he shaped the album's raw energy and genre-fusing sound, which became a hallmark of A Day to Remember's early identity. However, the intensifying demands of success following the album's release prompted Denney's amicable exit in 2009, after contributing to the subsequent record Homesick, as he shifted focus to family and production work. Building on this momentum, For Those Who Have Heart served as a career milestone that facilitated larger-scale touring and artistic evolution. The band embarked on extensive U.S. and international runs in 2007 and 2008, including their debut on the Vans Warped Tour in 2008 and support slots with acts like and Silverstein, which honed their live presence and expanded their audience. This period directly paved the way for the 2009 release of Homesick, which amplified their trajectory toward festival headlining slots in the , such as at Self Help Fest, establishing them as enduring figures in rock.

Reissues and cultural influence

The album has been reissued multiple times on vinyl, with limited colored variants released by in and 2013, followed by a remastered edition in 2023 by , a division of . The 2011 second pressing included limited runs of clear red (210 copies), white (450 copies), baby blue (796 copies), and dark blue ( exclusive, 650 copies). In 2013, the third pressing featured clear with black smoke (217 copies) and solid red ( exclusive, 1,049 copies), while the fourth pressing offered opaque green (1,000 copies) and clear green ( exclusive, 1,096 copies). The 2023 twelfth pressing provided exclusive variants such as purple smoke (500 copies for Brooklyn Vegan, , and AltPress), blue smoke ( exclusive, 1,000 copies), yellow swirl, tiger's eye, clear with red hi-melt, pink splatter (indie retail), and standard black. Tracks from the album extended its cultural reach through media appearances, including "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" on the 2007 Victory Records Summer Sampler and as downloadable content for Rock Band 3. The album contributed to the popularization of easycore by fusing metalcore's heavy breakdowns and screamed vocals with pop-punk's melodic choruses and rhythms, laying foundational elements for the subgenre's blend of accessibility and intensity. In August 2010, performed an acoustic rendition of during a live session at studios in . Retrospectives on have highlighted the album's enduring influence, recommending it for anniversary tours due to its role in bridging and heavier styles. A deluxe edition featuring bonus tracks has sustained the album's availability in the streaming era on platforms like , supporting ongoing engagement in fan-driven online discussions and communities.

References

  1. https://adaytoremember.bandcamp.com/album/for-those-who-have-heart
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/346388-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  3. https://www.amazon.com/Those-Who-Have-Heart-LP/dp/B0C37KXR66
  4. https://www.ocala.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/07/11/ocala-bred-band-a-day-to-remember-hasnt-forgotten-its-roots/31941479007/
  5. https://www.musicconnection.com/a-day-to-remember/
  6. https://lambgoat.com/news/7125/victory-records-signs-a-day-to-remember/
  7. https://victoryrecords.com/about/
  8. https://lessthanjake.fandom.com/wiki/A_Day_to_Remember
  9. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/a-day-to-remember
  10. https://www.discogs.com/release/4618497-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  11. https://www.discogs.com/release/7951928-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  12. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/alex-shelnutt.html
  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/8347841-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  14. https://www.allmusic.com/album/for-those-who-have-heart-mw0000770957
  15. https://www.kerrang.com/a-day-to-remembers-homesick-changed-pop-punk-and-metal-forever
  16. https://chorus.fm/reviews/a-day-to-remember-for-those-who-have-heart/
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/2857567-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  18. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/A-Day-to-Remember/The-Price-We-Pay
  19. https://www.punknews.org/review/6148/a-day-to-remember-for-those-who-have-heart
  20. https://victoryrecords.com/artist/a-day-to-remember/
  21. https://archive.org/details/ADTR-PPDC-2005-2008
  22. https://scream-it-like-you-mean-it.fandom.com/wiki/For_Those_Who_Have_Heart_%28A_Day_to_Remember%29
  23. https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2007/09/27/a-day-to-remember-returns-to-ocala/31220668007/
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/2053627-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/13668138-A-Day-To-Remember-For-Those-Who-Have-Heart
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsy7iRnLw18
  27. https://concord.com/news/a-day-to-remembers-breakthrough-album-for-those-who-have-heart-returns-to-vinyl/
  28. https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-those-who-have-heart/1713854572
  29. https://imvdb.com/video/a-day-to-remember/the-plot-to-bomb-the-panhandle
  30. https://www.shazam.com/song/1558597275/the-danger-in-starting-a-fire/music-video
  31. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/musicvideo/a-day-to-remember/the-danger-in-starting-a-fire/
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4Uq86QbaE
  33. https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/0ff5dd59-3892-37d1-a4ae-a924e153c203
  34. https://www.setlist.fm/festival/2007/sxsw-2007-2bd6a032.html
  35. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/silverstein?page=3&year=2007
  36. https://www.altpress.com/10_best_a_day_to_remember_deep_cuts/
  37. https://www.punktastic.com/album-reviews/a-day-to-remember-for-those-who-have-heart-reissue/
  38. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/a-day-to-remember--9?page=2&year=2008
  39. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/a-day-to-remember--9?page=1&year=2008
  40. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6609/a-day-to-remember/
  41. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/a-day-to-remember-those-have-heart-vinyl/
  42. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=A+Day+to+Remember
  43. https://www.popmatters.com/a-day-to-remember-for-those-who-have-heart-2495820673.html
  44. https://lambgoat.com/news/40853/a-day-to-remember-stream-remasteredre-mixed-version-of-for-those-who-have-heart/
  45. https://remo.com/profile/alex-shelnutt
  46. https://lambgoat.com/news/12820/a-day-to-remember-guitarist-leaves-band/
  47. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/a-day-to-remember/for-those-who-have-heart/
  48. https://genius.com/albums/A-day-to-remember/For-those-who-have-heart
  49. https://www.classicrockhistory.com/complete-list-of-a-day-to-remember-songs-from-a-to-z/
  50. https://www.discogs.com/release/31786499-Various-Victory-Records-Summer-Sampler-2007
  51. https://github.com/Rock-Band-Road-Crew/rb3dlc-to-rb2
  52. https://thrownintothefire.wixsite.com/music/single-post/2018/03/01/fuck-easycore-we-have-heavy-pop-punk
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_D4jQMssI
  54. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/a-day-to-remember/2010/kroq-fm-studios-los-angeles-ca-3bc29c5c.html
  55. https://www.indymetalvault.com/2017/02/24/10-metal-albums-that-deserve-10th-anniversary-tours-in-2017/
  56. https://open.spotify.com/album/4HEUcIsYZNkvMWQkIIEJYq
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