Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding suburbs is home to many bands we see all over our television screens and hear on the radio today. The music scene in Chicago is growing tremendously, producing great bands like Fall Out Boy and The Academy Is… among others, but what band will be the next big thing to come out of Chicago? Well, The White Tie Affair of course.

“Walk This Way,” the debut full length album by The White Tie Affair, was released in April of 2008 on Epic Records as a follow up to their EP, “Scene Change” that was released in 2007. Four songs from the EP were rerecorded and put on the CD as well as 6 new and original songs. The full length is definitely a large step in the right direction for The White Tie Affair.

The opening track on both the EP and full length is their single, “Allow Me To Introduce Myself…Mr. Right.” There is a distinct difference in the two versions. The full length version sounds more professionally recorded and shows the band’s true potential. You can’t help but want to get up and dance as soon as the song starts playing. However, this song isn’t the only one that sounds better on “Walk This Way.” The other rerecorded songs, “If I Fall,” “The Enemy,” and “Scene Change,” have a more professional sound on the full length CD, and they are easier to understand, but I am by no means saying that the EP versions are bad because they aren’t.

“The Letdown,” the second track, starts off with a sound that leaves you unsure about what to expect. After hearing the first song, you’re under the impression that “Walk This Way” will make you want to dance, and in fact it does. However, there are songs, such as “The Letdown” that are the exception. It’s a slower song, and not a very happy one either, with lines such as, “Baby, I think I owe you one. Every time I come around you’re ready for the letdown. Here I sit alone. It was my fault I know. If I was you, I wouldn’t take me back. Just let me down, slowly please.” This is definitely one of my favorite songs on the CD. The lyrics are very catchy and unlike many others I’ve heard before. They stood out to me the first time I ever listened to this CD and have stuck with me ever since.

Another single from the CD is “Candle (Sick and Tired).” Although it may be another song about losing someone you love, it immediately puts you right back into the dancing mood. You can’t help but get on your feet.

It’s evident that The White Tie Affair has the sound of a modern day boy band, similar to the ones popular in the late 90s and early 2000s. “Take It Home,” the seventh track on the CD, is not exactly appropriate for the young preteen/teenage crowd that boy bands attract. If I were a parent of a child that young, I would not want my kid listening to lyrics like, “Take it home. Take it home, ‘cause I can’t take anymore. It’s your touch. It’s your taste. It’s your dress on the floor. Take it home. Take it home, ‘cause I’ve been waiting all night for you.” There’s an obvious sexual reference, which isn’t very appropriate for a younger crowd, however, that is what seems to be popular in today’s music. The beat of the song is very catchy though. It draws you in. It’s hard not to enjoy it.

There are other songs on the CD (“Scene Change,” “Watching You’” “The Enemy,” “Price Of Company,” “If I Fall”) that have their own distinct sounds. Like I previously stated, the majority of the songs on this album have you wanting to dance. With fast beats and catchy lyrics, it’s difficult to not start moving at least a little bit.

The final track on the album is titled, "The Way Down." It's the perfect song to end the album with. Just listening to it, it gives an impression that it's the last song on the CD. It is a slower song with some strong lyrics. The only bad thing about this song is that there is nothing after it.

Overall, this CD is easily one of the best albums to be released this year. Prior to listening to this album, I had high expectations. I enjoyed the LP so much, but I knew that The White Tie Affair could do better. They went above and beyond what I had expected. With the exception of a few minor details, and the inappropriateness of "Take It Home," this record is almost flawless. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Name: "Walk This Way "
Label: Epic
Release Date: April 22, 2008
My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Amy Walker is a staff writer in the Midwest region for Musiqtone.com. You can contact her at amywalker@musiqtone.com or fill out this feedback form below.