Count The Stars, a foursome from Albany, New York, just rock out on all thirteen tracks featured on their debut release Never Be Taken Alive, unleashing a punk/emo hybrid a la label mates Taking Back Sunday and The Reunion Show, as well as Midtown, The Goodwill, and Saves The Day. The more I listen to this record, the more I like it. Catchy melodies, infectious vocal harmonies, and crushing guitars envelop singer/guitarist Chris Kasarjian's sincere lyrics wonderfully, creating a highly bouncy and energetic sound.

Most of the record is brimming with upbeat music, from the opening number "Brand New Skin" to "My Best Mistake (No More Chances)," and "Pick Yourself Up." Each song is a barrage of sheer emotion, which can be sensed in the music and the lyrics, whether they be sung or screamed at precise moments. Chris' troubled lyrics are sung emotionally, as he sings of pain and anguish, yet on songs like "The Difference," he sings, "You can try...to get the best of me/...try to make this complete/But to me, there's something more to me than I have seen," and even the album's title Never Be Taken Alive, hints at resiliency and perseverance. These songs reveal that yeah, he's hurt, but he'll survive. Good stuff. This never-say-die attitude should help the band out in the music industry as well.

The majority of the lyrics deal with broken hearts like "Taking It All Back" and the exceptional "Pictures," on which Chris achingly croons, "Did you know when you go/There is nothing here left of me, nothing here left of me." This is the most powerful and impassioned moment on the entire disc. It also features a beautifully layered vocal coda. This is definitely one of the best offerings - intense as all hell. Likewise, there's an ongoing theme of regret and wasting time evident on the album, as on "On The Way Home" and "Better Off Alone." Another heartfelt song is the finale, entitled "All Good Things," a light acoustic piece.

And their live show sounds tempting: "Rumored to be as energetic as an old-school hardcore show with more stage antics than an eighties hair metal band." These guys have toured with the likes of Thursday, Goldfinger, Midtown, and Sugarcult, and this year are slated to play with those ska/punk/hardcore gods Voodoo Glow Skulls and Madcap. Likewise, they'll be hitting the road over the summer, playing selected Warped Tour dates.

www.countthestars.com