•
Rating: Substantial line-up, label, and style changes for the Californians Saosin who release their self-titled debut album for the major label Capitol (EMI) after a handful of previous EPs on minor labels.
There was indeed talk of several novelties, not by chance a reshuffle in the formation saw Cove Reber join as the vocalist replacing Anthony Green, who joined Circa Survive, an alternative rock project.
The consequence of these new entries also brings changes in the group's sound approach abandoning completely the previous emocore sound and screaming, making way for a more melodic sound straddling punk and alternative rock with light emo nuances, yet not lacking in grit and adrenaline. To be clear and transparent, it means forget about the noise and lamentations of songs like "Seven years" (from the 2003 EP "Translating The Name"), one of their most well-known tracks.
12 tracks built around the centrality of Reber's splendid voice, which possesses remarkable vocal technique capable of high extensions that embellish everything. Another strong point of the guys is certainly Burchell and Shekoski's two six-strings, producing riffs that are never banal and instead have a unique timbre and expressiveness that will linger in your ears for a long time. Even Wikipedia notes the melodic guitar flavor of Saosin as their main distinctive point.
It's useless to say that if you're looking for an album with medium-high rhythms leaning towards hardcore à la Thrice's "The Artist In The Ambulance", you're in the wrong place, as the driving "Sleepers" is one of the best and almost a standalone episode.
The excellent debut single "Voices" effectively represents the album's contents, featuring choruses, excellent guitar interweaving (see the mid-second verse transition), and a simple yet emotional chorus sung above an acoustic guitar, concluding with a final high note from Cove.
Another gem of the album is the ballad "You're Not Alone" capable of melting even the hardest of hearts with its melancholic atmosphere imprinting a sense of loneliness and bewilderment, closing gently on piano notes. Also noteworthy is "It's Far Better To Learn" opened by a guitar intro and the new version of "Bury Your Head" with its dramatically tinged chorus and good instrumental progression midway through.
On "Collapse", on the other hand, previously unheard heavy guitars make an appearance on the bridge and "It's So Simple" fully convinces with its rhythmic and mood swings, once again highlighting the entire dreamy atmosphere that runs throughout the platter. Steady rhythms and an immediate refrain on "I Never Wanted To".
The production proves to be well-crafted with sporadic acoustic guitar insertions and piano notes, with precise and yet powerful sounds.
Adding to this, in these times setting aside the "shouted" singing without missing it and instead focusing on other aspects can only be positive, considering the saturation of 'pop' bands with milk teeth always ready to scream at all costs.
It might face criticism from long-time fans while expanding the horizons for the band and its audience, but the success of the five from Newport Beach is fully deserved, given the excellent work done.
A pleasant discovery.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 It's Far Better to Learn (03:55)
You'd better learn that this will not blow over
And over
High above, they're taking over you
And you should know
I will not let you go
(Let you go)
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
There's something greater there
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
It's not gonna change you
We walk along but never turn to see what we have done
(What we have done)
We choose our moves so carefully for you
(Carefully for you)
I will not let you go
(Let you go)
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
There's something greater there
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
It's not gonna change you
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
It's not gonna change you
Why believe in nothing
Why believe in nothing at all
Why believe in nothing
Why believe in nothing at all
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
There's something greater there
What is my body worth?
Was there a price set before?
It's not gonna change you
What is my body worth?
What is my body worth?
02 Sleepers (02:52)
We have been in tune with luck
We slept through it
Taking hits off the surface (surface)
Its too hard to swallow it
The judgement is concentrating
On everything below.
(Was it long enough or did he wake you up from your sleeping?)
[Chorus]
I've overheard it once
This has gone on before
It's still one in the same
(We are accounted for)
We seem so far away from
These things we used to know
We seem so far away from everything
(Why are you sleeping?)
Everyone that moves around me
They're saying something
That makes the fire glow
Savor something that no one needs to know
They all think everything is gold
(Was it long enough or did he wake you up from your sleeping?)
[Chorus]
I've overheard it once
This has gone on before
It's still one in the same
(We are accounted for)
We seem so far away from
These things we used to know
We seem so far away from everything
All we are is golden (golden)
This won't mean a thing
All we know is golden (golden)
This won't mean a thing
04 Voices (03:38)
I miss the part, when we were moving forward now
(On our way down)
But maybe someday, I'll be something more than love
Just know I'll never tell
And when you're on your way down
(Through the clouds)
And you're waiting for your body's re-entry again
We speak in different voices
When fighting with the ones we've loved
We speak in different voices
Why can't we say what we're thinking of
I'm missing parts, now that you've told me everything
(On our way down)
And I was blessed and I've forgotten how to love
You said you'd never tell
And when you're on your way down
(Through the clouds)
And you're waiting for your body's re-entry again
We speak in different voices
When fighting with the ones we've loved
We speak in different voices
Why can't we say what we're thinking of
Not even I will tell...
We speak in different voices
When fighting with the ones we've loved
We speak in different voices
We say these things to know they're real.
We speak in different voices
When fighting with the ones we've loved
We speak in different voices
Why can't we say what we're thinking of
We speak in different voices
When fighting with the one's we've loved
We speak in different voices
We speak in different voices
To know they're real. Real.
I'll never tell.
06 Follow and Feel (03:19)
Don't let them know you're watching the situation crumble
(situation crumble)
These things, they take time
And they know, yes, they know they should be better now
She's watching me awkwardly from a distance
Should I care?
Is there something more I should have known?
(we know them)
I know that I wonder
They took his crown
There's nothing more left of him now
(and he will be okay)
I appreciate, now that they choose to ignore
I can't set her free to go without a payment plan
She's watching me awkwardly from a distance
Should I care?
Is there something more I should have known?
(we know them)
I know that I wonder
Will she go or follow?
Follow, please follow me home
(me home)
Follow, please follow me home
This won't end like last time
The things you swore, they never made me feel anymore
She's watching me awkwardly from a distance
Should I care?
Is there something more I should have known?
(we know them)
I don't need to wonder
07 Come Close (03:16)
Remind yourself
That they are the ones who will hold you still
My thoughts exploding in thousands of pieces (Thousands of pieces)
It looks so beautiful when, I know it's not love cause
I've been trying (As we are waiting)
I've been trying to let you know
So come close, this is who we are
Come on you can be yourself
So come close, this is who we are
Come on you can be yourself again
When you notice yourself
as something more than just a reflection
you'll see it's not me
I guess I'm trying to say,
I know it's not love, but..
I've been trying (As we are waiting)
I've been trying to let you know
So come close, this is who we are
Come on, you can show yourself
So come close, this is who we are
Come on, you can be yourself again
Now you've found love, it's shining through
come close, this is who we are
come on, you can show yourself
so come close, this is who we are
come on you can be yourself again
Come close, and I will carry you,
Come close, in my arms.
08 I Never Wanted To (03:29)
We've had one chance to take back
But over and over again
(I'll clean your wounds tonight)
So we can rewind it all 'til I come inside
I'll tear in two and never lie to you
('Cause you wouldn't take me home)
Your eyes are yet to be clear now
('Cause you wouldn't take me home)
You were right, I wasn't listening
(I never told you what you were missing)
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
This was the only way we knew how to make everything just OK
(I'll make it up tonight)
The sun was two steps too close with his waking eyes
We'll make believe that everything's all right
('Cause you wouldn't take me home)
Your eyes are yet to be clear now
('Cause you wouldn't take me home)
You were right, I wasn't listening
(I never told you what you were missing)
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
I never wanted to hear
We are the only ones we are running from
I want to break it off
We should stop 'cause there's nothing going on
(On)
I never wanted to hear all the things that you told me
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
We are the only ones we are running from
I never wanted to hear
(I never wanted to)
09 Collapse (03:15)
So, tell me is it right?
To feel like we're only getting smaller
And if we were to find the feeling
But I'm only treading water
We've made a few mistakes, it's not worth it to say
(we are far from the town)
'Cause we are the only ones, we will get up
And we are aware, 'cause we've been through it
'Cause we are the only ones, we will carry each other on our own
Bleed the sound wave, the truth will send you falling
You feed the lies but your mind isn't open
Now I hear you calling
We've made a few mistakes, it's not worth it to say
(we are far from the town)
'Cause we are the only ones, we will get up
And we are aware, 'cause we've been through it
'Cause we are the only ones, we will carry each other on our own
Open your eyes and let all the light in
Open your eyes, up a little more and show your bliss and come out
'Cause we are the only ones, we will get up
And we are aware, 'cause we've been through it
'Cause we are the only ones, we will carry each other on our own
Open your eyes and let all the light in
Open your eyes, up a little more and show your bliss and come out
10 You're Not Alone (03:58)
That's just like him
To wander off in the evergreen park
Slowly searching
For any sign of the ones he used to love
He says he's got nothing left to live for
(He says he's got nothing left)
And this time I think you'll know
You're not alone
There's more to this I know
You can make it out
You will live to tell
She's just like him
Spoiled rotten, confused by the lies she's been fed
She's searching for no one (but herself)
Her eyes turn to green and she seems to be happy that she is her
And this time I think you'll know
You're not alone
There is more to this I know
You can make it out
You will live to tell
You're not alone
There is more to this I know
You can make it out
(there is more to this)
We're not alone
There is more to this I know
you can make it out
you will live to tell
(so tell me)
You're not alone
There is more to this I know
You can make it out
You will live to tell
You're not alone
You're not, you're not alone
11 Bury Your Head (03:34)
Bury your head,
Bury your head,
I was feeling fine,
You'll be coming clean tonight,
And I'll be falling down with you once again,
Call me your valentine, call me once tonight,
And I will have said it's okay,
The things you said, I'm rehearsing them,
The things you said, I'm rehearsing them,
They went back on us,
(Until his eyes rolled back couldn't step it up),
I could know him to come over when,
It's the thought that emerges,
(Take back couldn't step it up),
I could never love, your eyes have changed
Bury your head, has the child smashed you down,
And the psalms will never call me again,
(Fall down below),
I'll sleep tonight when you're okay,
And I haven't said it's okay,
The things you said, I'm rehearsing them,
The things you said, I'm rehearsing them,
They went back on us,
(Until his eyes rolled back couldn't step it up),
I could know him to come over when,
It's the thought that emerges,
(Take back couldn't step it up),
I could never love, your eyes have changed
They have been the ones who've seen enough,
This is what you call love,
They stole my lies,
Sold right and all,
They wandered around and round my mouth,
They stole my lie,
Sold right and all,
(Stole it all, stole it all),
They have been the ones who've seen enough,
They went back on us,
(Until his eyes rolled back couldn't step it up),
I could know him to come over it,
It's the thought that emerges,
(Take back couldn't step it up),
I could never love, your eyes have changed
You'll be coming clean tonight...
12 Some Sense of Security (04:02)
So what have we done
With X and O's to mark our way home
(Home)
It seems as though we've forgotten
The way we move can save ourselves
From the one we're becoming
Please make sure, remember
Don't tell me that you get somewhere better
Why write the perfect end?
Why try to save them?
We try to not forget
It's so much better there
Did you think you could make it on your own?
It was so much better there
So what have you done
To make yourself a little bit happier
I can feel the vibrations when you said:
"I feel nothing, I'm giving up, so give it up."
Please make sure, remember
Don't tell me that you get somewhere better
Why write the perfect end?
Why try to save them?
We try to not forget
It's so much better there
Did you think you could make it on your own?
It was so much better there
((This won't mean anything..))
((This won't mean anything...))
This won't mean anything
This won't mean anything tonight
This won't mean anything
This won't mean anything tonight
Why write the perfect end?
Why try to save them?
We try to not forget
It's so much better there
Did you think you could make it on your own?
It was so much better
((This won't mean anything))
((This won't mean anything tonight...))
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Funeral For A Friend
Saosin come forward by 'diving' into the sea of modern emocore where this album somehow stands out among the others.
A truly beautiful album, soaked in melancholy and anger, an album at times melodic and at times violent.
