In Some Way, Shape, or Form

On April 4, it was announced that keyboardist Josh Lyford had left the group.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-four-year-strong-keyboard-player-leaves-the-band/|title=NEWS: Four Year Strong keyboard player leaves the band!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=April 4, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}} The album was recorded between June–August 2011 at House of Loud Recording Studios in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. David Bendeth produced all of the tracks except for "Fairweather Fan" and "Bring on the World"; recording was handled by Dan Korneff, Kato Khandwala, and John Bender. "Fairweather Fan" and "Bring on the World" were produced and engineered by Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta. Chris Fasulo and Jon D'Uva did additional engineering with assistance from Brian Robbins and Jon Lammi. Bendeth mixed the recordings with Korneff as engineer, before they were mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. The album was influenced by Alexisonfire's Crisis (2006).Sayce 2015, p. 32

In August 2011, the group performed at the Hevy and Sonisphere festivals in the UK.

• Hevy Fest: {{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-hevy-fest-announce-more-line-up-additions/|title=NEWS: Hevy Fest announce more line-up additions!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=April 1, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}}
• Sonisphere: {{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-the-mars-volta-and-others-join-sonisphere-2011-line-up/|title=NEWS: The Mars Volta and others join Sonisphere 2011 line-up!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}} On August 18, the band released the song "Stuck in the Middle" for free listening as a free taster from the album, with an unofficial music video following on October 19, which showed footage of the band on their latest tour and features scenes of the recording process of In Some Way, Shape, or Form. On September 8, 2011, the band released another song for free, "Falling on You", which was already played live on the band's latest tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/four-year-strong/new-song-release-date/10150434798498747 |title=New Song + Release Date |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2012-03-23}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guh_4aMFp6s |title=Four Year Strong - "Falling on You" |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-09-08 |access-date=2012-03-23}} On September 11, In Some Way, Shape, or Form was announced for release in November. Alongside it, the album's artwork was revealed.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-four-year-strong-announce-release-date-for-new-album/|title=NEWS: Four Year Strong announce release date for new album!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=September 11, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}} "Just Drive" was released to radio on September 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771 |title=FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock |publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated |access-date=October 31, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322142732/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771 |archive-date=March 22, 2013 }} On October 14, Alternative Press revealed the track list of the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/four_year_strong_reveal_tracklist_in_some_way_shape_or_form |title=Alternative Press | News | Exclusive: Four Year Strong reveal tracklist of "In Some Way, Shape, Or Form." |publisher=Altpress.com |date=2011-10-14 |access-date=2012-03-23}}

On October 26, the band released another song for free listening. The song, entitled "Fairweather Fan", is a special song the band dedicated to their fans and was previously leaked in low quality footage that was filmed during the band's Fall 2011 AP Tour, where they debuted the song. The band released the song as a free download on their Facebook page.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8WOzxinzgo |title=Four Year Strong - Fairweather Fan |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2012-03-23}} A music video was released for "Just Drive" on October 27.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/video-four-year-strong-just-drive/|title=VIDEO: Four Year Strong – Just Drive|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=October 27, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}} On November 4, the band uploaded the whole album for free streaming on their Facebook page.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/fouryearstrong?sk=app_182222305144028 |title=Four Year Strong - Music |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2012-03-23}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/fouryearstrong/posts/283541531668808 |title=In Some Way,... |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2012-03-23}} In October and November, the band headlined the AP Fall Tour with support from Gallows, Title Fight, the Swellers and Sharks.{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/four_year_strong_gallows_title_fight_more_on_ap_tour_fall_2011|title=Four Year Strong, Gallows, Title Fight, more on AP Tour Fall 2011|work=Alternative Press|author=Heisel, Scott|date=July 21, 2011|access-date=December 17, 2017}}

In December, the band went on a brief holiday tour dubbed It's a Wonderful Gig Life, with support from Set Your Goals, Balance and Composure, Transit, and Diamond.{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/four_year_strong_announce_holiday_shows_with_set_your_goals_balance_and_com|title=Four Year Strong announce holiday shows with Set Your Goals, Balance And Composure, and more|work=Alternative Press|author=Common, Tyler|date=November 9, 2011|access-date=December 15, 2017}} In January 2012, the group went on a tour of Brazil with New Found Glory,{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/four_year_strong_announce_south_american_tour_with_new_found_glory|title=Four Year Strong announce South American tour with New Found Glory|work=Alternative Press|author=Bird, Michele|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=December 24, 2017}} leading up to a UK tour that ran into February, with support from Don Broco and A Loss for Words.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-more-supports-confirmed-for-four-year-strong-janfeb-uk-tour/|title=NEWS: More supports confirmed for Four Year Strong Jan/Feb UK tour!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=October 13, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}} Though This Time Next Year was intended to also join the tour, they had to pull out due to financial issues.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-this-time-next-year-pull-out-of-four-year-strong-uk-tour/|title=NEWS: This Time Next Year pull out of Four Year Strong UK tour!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=December 18, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618160526/https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-this-time-next-year-pull-out-of-four-year-strong-uk-tour/|url-status=dead}} In June, the group appeared at Download Festival,{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-refused-and-12-more-bands-join-download-festival-2012-line-up/|title=NEWS: Refused and 12 more bands join Download Festival 2012 line-up!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=June 18, 2020}} and supported Blink-182 for a handful of shows on their UK tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-blink-182-confirm-uk-tour-support-and-add-bournemouth-date/|title=NEWS: Blink-182 confirm UK tour support and add Bournemouth date!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=January 25, 2012|access-date=June 18, 2020}} Alongside this, they played a one-off headlining show.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-four-year-strong-play-liverpool-o2-academy-2-on-june-9th/|title=NEWS: Four Year Strong play Liverpool O2 Academy 2 on June 9th!|work=Dead Press!|author=Redrup, Zach|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=June 18, 2020}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 60/100{{cite web|title=In Some Way, Shape, or Form by Four Year Strong|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/in-some-way-shape-or-form/four-year-strong|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=October 21, 2016}}

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1Score = 60%{{cite web |last=Nassiff |first=Thomas7 |url=http://images.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2500512 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709164934/http://images.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2500512 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-09 |title=Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape or Form |publisher=Absolute Punk |date=2011-11-03 |access-date=2011-11-04 }}

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Heaney |first=Gregory |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-some-way-shape-or-form-r2288526 |title=Album Review: Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape Or Form |publisher =AllMusic |date=2011-11-28 |access-date=2011-11-28}}

| rev3 = Alter the Press!

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last='Kiki' Goodchild |first=Chantelle |url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2011/11/album-review-four-year-strong-in-some.html |title=Album Review: Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape Or Form |publisher =Alter The Press! |date=2011-11-10 |access-date=2011-11-10}}

| rev4 = Big Cheese

| rev4Score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Pitt |first=Gem |url=http://www.bigcheesemagazine.com/albums/article/four-year-strong-in-some-way-shape-or-form |title=Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape Or Form |publisher=Big Cheese Magazine |date=2011-11-02 |access-date=2011-11-03 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729223444/http://www.bigcheesemagazine.com/albums/article/four-year-strong-in-some-way-shape-or-form |archive-date=2012-07-29 |url-status=dead }}

| rev5 = Dead Press!

| rev5Score = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/album-four-year-strong-in-some-way-shape-or-form/|title=ALBUM: Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape, Or Form|work=Dead Press!|author=Thompson, Oliver|date=November 8, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}}

| rev7 = Kill Your Stereo

| rev7Score = {{Rating|6.5|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/819/four-year-strong-in-some-way-shape-or-form/ |title= Four Year Strong - In Some Way, Shape Or Form |publisher =Kill Your Stereo |date=2011-11-09 |access-date=2011-11-09}}

| rev8 = Loudwire

| rev8Score = Favorable{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/four-year-strong-in-some-way-shape-or-form-album-review/|title=Four Year Strong, 'In Some Way, Shape, or Form' – Album Review|work=Loudwire|author=Erickson, Anne|date=November 6, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2020}}

| rev9 = Sputnikmusic

| rev9Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=West Foss |first=Dakota |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/46388/Four-Year-Strong-In-Some-Way,-Shape,-or-Form./ |title=Four Year Strong are stuck in the middle. |publisher =Sputnik Music |date=2011-11-05 |access-date=2011-11-05}}

}}

The album sold over 6,500 copies in its first week,{{Cite news |url=http://rockaccess.net/2011/11/17/disturbed-debut-at-no-13/|title=Disturbed Debut At No. 13|work=rockaccess.net |publisher=Rock Access |access-date=2011-11-20}} debuting at number 88 on the Billboard 200, nearly half of what their previous album Enemy of the World sold in its first week.

All songs written by Four Year Strong, except where noted.

{{track listing

| title1 = The Infected

| writer1 = Four Year Strong, David Bendeth

| length1 = 3:17

| title2 = The Security of the Familiar, the {{notatypo|Tranquility}} of Repetition

| writer2 = Four Year Strong, Bendeth

| length2 = 3:28

| title3 = Stuck in the Middle

| length3 = 3:42

| title4 = Just Drive

| length4 = 3:32

| title5 = Fairweather Fan

| length5 = 3:30

| title6 = Sweet Kerosene

| length6 = 3:22

| title7 = Falling on You

| length7 = 3:36

| title8 = Heaven Wasn't Built to Hold Me

| length8 = 3:06

| title9 = Unbreakable

| length9 = 3:12

| title10 = Bring on the World

| length10 = 3:12

| title11 = Fight the Future

| length11 = 3:04

| title12 = Only the Meek Get Pinched. The Bold Survive

| length12 = 3:51

|total_length = 40:52

}}

• "The Security of the Familiar, the Tranquility of Repetition" is a line from the film V for Vendetta.
• "Only the Meek Get Pinched, the Bold Survive" is a line from the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
• "Fight The Future" is titled in reference to the first X-Files film, of which "Fight the Future" was the subtitle and tagline. The X-Files is also heavily referenced in the music video for the album's first single "Just Drive", including a street sign that reads "The truth is out there," one of the mottos of the series.
• When a tentative track listing was released, "Bring on the World" was shown to be titled "This Is Your Life and It's Ending One Minute at a Time", a line from the film Fight Club.

Personnel per booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=In Some Way, Shape, or Form|others=Four Year Strong|year=2011|type=booklet|publisher=Decaydance/I Surrender/Universal Republic|id=00602527834894}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Four Year Strong

• Alan Day – lead vocals, guitar, additional piano
• Dan O'Connor – lead vocals, guitar
• Joe Weiss – bass guitar, additional vocals (tracks 3 and 12)
• Jake Massucco – drums

{{col-2}}

Production

• David Bendeth – producer (all except tracks 5 and 10), mixing
• Dan Korneff – recording, mix engineer
• Kato Khandwala – recording
• John Bender – recording
• Shep Goodman – producer (tracks 5 and 10), engineer (tracks 5 and 10)
• Aaron Accetta – producer (tracks 5 and 10), engineer (tracks 5 and 10)
• Chris Fasulo – additional engineering
• Jon D'Uva – additional engineering
• Brian Robbins – assistant engineer
• Michael "Mitch" Milan – guitar technician
• Jon Lammi – assistant engineer
• Ted Jensen – mastering

Design

• Joe Spix – art direction, design
• F. Scott Schafer – photography
• Bryn Bowen – props
• Four Year Strong – props

{{col-end}}

; Citations

{{Reflist|2}}

;Sources

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal|editor1-last=Bird|editor1-first=Ryan|last1=Sayce|first1=Rob|title=Hall of Fame: 'Crisis' Alexisonfire|journal=Rock Sound|date=August 2015|issue=202|publisher=Freeway Press Inc.|location=London|issn=1465-0185}}

{{refend}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5xmKPoiUnF9wYlRkUz89K3-Zycm19VXR In Some Way, Shape, or Form] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)

{{Four Year Strong}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 albums

Category:Four Year Strong albums

Category:Decaydance Records albums

Category:Universal Motown Records albums

Category:Albums produced by David Bendeth