Saves the Day has been one of my favorite bands for about nine years now. Can't Slow Down was the first of the bands material I heard, but Through Being Cool was honestly the first one I listened to. Throughout the years, this band has constantly shocked and surprised both themselves and their fans with each album.
The beautiful thing about being a Saves the Day fan lies in the fact that you never know exactly what you're going to get when you listen to a new release. Can't Slow Down catered to the bands hardcore roots (when the term hardcore didn't mean a bunch of clowns in eyeliner screaming), which gave way to a blending of that sound with pop-punk in Through Being Cool. The focus on melody drastically changed the listening experience from listening to an album that sounded look one really great song into a collection of individual tracks of honesty and teenage angst. Many fans look at this album as a fond outlet of bitterness because well, for the most part, it's a bit of a break-up/relationship issues record.
And since the band and most of their friends were in their latter teenage years when every relationship is potentially the beginning and end of the world, this album holds a lot of weight. Now that I'm older, I look back on it with nostalgia, but there's also a "man, I can't believe how melodramatic I could be" with some of the songs. In interviews, Conley has expressed the same sentiment. Still, as far as pop-punk albums on teenage angst go, this is a must have.
There were two tracks ("Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off To Heaven" and "A Drag In D Flat") released on Vagrant Records compilations after Through Being Cool that seemed to indicate that Saves the Day was content to perfecting that particular sound. Wrong.
In July of 2001, the band released their most celebrated album, Stay What You Are. Apart from being a stunning album, the band came out with a sound from the complete opposite direction. Keep in mind, this was before the term "emo" was a household name and greatly confused with pop-punk and make-up metal bands. It also wasn't a curse word. Truth be told, "emo" at the time was pretty much the same as what is no referred to as "indie rock." Of course, music aficionados argue what both of those labels entail, but the important thing is that I can use those phrases and you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Stay What You Are knocked Saves The Day fans on their asses and opened a floodgate of new fans. It was one of those albums that if someone claims they like the band and only have or heard one album, Stay What You Are is generally what they'll list (although the band's discography lends itself to having those types of fans with every album); sort of the same way people will tell you they love Green Day, but only own Dookie. With the opening "At Your Funeral," Saves The Day took listeners on a thoughtful journey with their newly developed style but fiercely remained Saves The Day. Throughout the album you could hear elements of previous ventures despite how different it sounded.
Once more, Vagrant records released a compilation a few months after the album's release with a new Saves The Day song, the stellar "Ups and Downs." Like before, this song was a progression from the previous album, but would have easily felt right at home in the track listing, leading many fans to believe that they knew where Saves The Day was going with their musical future. What came next was what many see as the band's most controversial release.
When In Reverie dropped in September of 2003, many fans were left angry and confused. What happened? This wasn't the band they fell in love with! Only that couldn't be further from the truth. It's easier to see now, but many fans did not understand In Reverie's complete departure was really just the norm for the band. I'd like to say this is what some people must have thought when Stay What You Are came out, but I really don't have enough evidence to support that as most fans I personally know began listening with that record.
In Reverie sounded nothing like any previous Saves The Day record, which, ironically, kept in pace with the band's formula. "Indie rock" as we now know it had yet to explode for many kids in their little scenes, and this strangely clever pop record confused the hell out of them. Ironically, it was perhaps their most critically acclaimed record (with good reason). DreamWorks fucked the band over and left them high and dry with the release, telling them they had made the wrong record.
Saves The Day has always been a bit ahead of their time. They put out a stellar pop-punk album (Through Being Cool), the genre explodes two years later, same with "emo" (Stay What You Are) and "indie" (In Reverie). They've always been just a bit too early with their music to gain the popularity and large scale fanfare they rightly deserved.
Which brings us to now. By now, I mean 2006 forward. Chris Conley began writing material that would become tracks from both 2006's Sound the Alarm and this year's Under the Boards merely days after the release of In Reverie, embarking on what may be their most ambitious effort yet. Beginning with Sound the Alarm, Saves the Day are creating a trilogy of albums, chronicling Conley's personal losing control of his life after the "failure of In Reverie, hitting depression hard, and then accepting things as they are and taking the second chance he's been given. Sound The Alarm was just that. A realization that something was desperately wrong while Under the Boards (which Conley calls the Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy) faces the repercussions of losing control. Next year's Daybreak will complete the trilogy, which has been released very prolifically. Three albums in three years is pretty damn amazing.
With this new trilogy, the band put every single sound that has ever made Saves the Day, chucked them in a blender, and threw it at the wall. Both albums , cut from the same cloth, are so diverse in sound, that any careful fan must pick apart each track and pinpoint where each bit came from.
Most importantly, Saves the Day have always had wonderful lyrics. Conley has a poet's mind, and the songs he writes are an interesting sort of beast. The hit you, sometimes subtly, sometimes hard, but they always touch you. At the risk of sounding silly, they're lyrics you can take something from. "Relate to" isn't perhaps the best phrase. Proactive maybe. It's not just, "I'm angry/sad/whathaveyou, I'm going to listen to this song." It's, "I understand exactly where he's coming from, and this song is enabling me to tackle what I'm going through." They're encouraging lyrics in a sense in that they do not isolate the band from listener, but rather are written so that the listener can easily put his or herself into Conley's place.
It's cathartic, and often times cleansing.
With the case of Under the Boards, it's also very comforting. It's a very dark, personal album brought to life by Conley's vivid yet concise imagery. This is also year's catchiest album about wanting to die. The music and melodies are so damn infectious, that you forget the severity of the material momentarily until you realize what it is you're singing, which I think makes for a more vivid experience as just how far gone Conley felt.
In a way, this emphasizes the dark material, even making it darker in some moments. For example (and one of my favorites), in "When I'm Not There," Conley's sweetly singing a melody that wouldn't be too far off from a faster paced "At Your Funeral," but the lyrics are so seething, it pushes you back a little bit: "I thought I saw you outside my window last night/Lucky for you the shadow fled from the flashlight/Cause I love to wonder how you'll look without your teeth/The hollow smile, the two tipped tongue inside your cheek." All of this while he's crooning in a voice that sounds as if he's smiling. Definitely paints a more sinister tone. And that's the beauty of this album. It appears simple, but the more you listen to it, the longer it sets in, it's a very complex piece.
I've been personally going through some emotional hardship in my personal life, and there are a number of mainstays on rotation in my music collection by bands who always help me. But it's bands like Saves the Day, who offer a very personal, therapeutic listen; the audio equivalent of taking a fresh breath as if a weight has been lifted. That's when you know you've found something special, and through their "ups and downs" Saves The Day have never once failed to deliver an important listen.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Introducing The Weekly Wank
I was recently introduced to the idea of putting my iPod on shuffle and review the first five songs that play. This is a fantastic idea, and serves as a more interesting form of suggestion/warning other than me finding inspiration from the occasional album release (and yes, Bryant, I will do a Say Anything review...when I fucking feel like it).
For future installments, I hope to provide an mp3 of the song played (and may do that tonight for those discussed today). Additionally, I encourage others to do the same. Use my comments section if you like. And forgive typos.
So without further adieu, welcome to The Weekly Wank:
1. "Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl" by Broken Social Scene
I resisted even listening to this song for the longest time because since the instant the track was released, I found the lyrics posted on nearly every girl I knew's AIM profile, away message, message board signature, blog, and MySpace page. I couldn't escape it, so I simply avoided the damn song. For those uninitiated, Broken Social Scene is somewhat of an indie rock supergroup containing members of a bevy of respected artist.
Truth be told, this is a fucking excellent song. There is a subtle art to repetition that walks the razor line of maintaining the song and beating the listener over the head with words. Placebo and Nine Inch Nails have mastered this, and this song is another perfect example. It works best with music electronic in nature and while the foundations of the song's music lie in Canadian folk, it has the structure of an electronic track that wouldn't sound alien on a Postal Service album.
Metric's Emily Haines' voice was meant for this song. It contains this warm, haunting quality that feeds the repetitious nature of the song's minimal lyrics like a familiar ghost singing lullabies from an AM radio.
And I cannot resist the lyrics. They're of the pining nature; that undying feeling you get when you hope more than anything the person who tugs on your heartstrings is also thinking of you. There a subtle heartbreaking sweetness to it as well as the irresistibly sincere mantra: "Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me..."
As both a music whore and hopeless romantic, I recommend this song to anyone's next mix tape.
2. "Not Gonna Be Alone Tonight" by eve 6
Like most tracks from eve 6's third album, It's All In Your Head, "Not Gonna Be Alone Tonight" find the band mixing up their power pop-punk sound with this "I Love The 90's" type journey into the various stages of "alternative" (at least, that's how the album sounded to me, and we all know, above all, I am right).
Musically, this song serves as a strong combination of eve 6's signature sound molded with this dirty Tom Petty rock that wouldn't work if eve 6 didn't commit to it as much as they do. Max Collins treats the song seriously, so it does not stink of any gimmick, but the lack of punch his lyrics usually contain allows the song to be pretty forgetful to anyone who isn't already an eve 6 fan.
While the song is catchy, and certainly not a bad song at all, it's not among eve 6's best work and makes me wonder how this song made the cut but enjoyable songs like "405" never made it past the demo stage.
3. "Rescued" by Jack's Mannequin
I've always contest that Jack's Mannequin is a far superior musical venture than Something Corporate. And I am going to not go on a rant about emo, but I think the word is grossly overused and misunderstood. I say this because Jack's Mannequin is a band you might hear be associated with that word. That's fine. But people allow that association to take away from the sincerity of what may be an excellent, well written track. That finger is better for pointing at bands who do not deserve a tenth of the attention they have received (see: Hawthorne Heights, Taking Back Sunday)
"Rescued" is one of those songs that serves as evidence that Andrew McMahon never used his abilities as a pianist as a parlor trick. It's a quiet little ballad dealing with a breakout that appears to have been one of many with the same girl. Dealing with that welcoming of negative emotions that wash over you when going through the turbulence of a break-up, McMahon keeps the song simple, not because of his skill, but that it serves the song best.
Moments like this, you feel as if all you can utter are things in simplicity, which oft times end up feeling like revelations. The chorus ends with a moment that takes place when you think, so long as nothing breaks your immediate concentration; that moment where nothings good or bad, just a wash of blissful neutrality so that you can collect yourself to deal with whatever comes next: "I'm finally numb, so please don't get me rescued."
This song, like the entire Jack's Mannequin album, Everything In Transit, is definitely worth a spin to those who want something emotive, honest, and somewhat chill to listen to.
4. "Broken Promise" by Placebo (featuring Michael Stipe of R.E.M.)
Michael Stipe and Brian Molko's contrasting voices perfectly fit this song. It begins with a soft tinkling of piano keys as Stipe breathily begins the song which suddenly breaks down into a pounding of electronic beat and guitar as Brian Molko accompanies him to belt out the chorus. The continue the trend of trading off verses and coming together for the colossal chorus as they play the two sides of the subject of infidelity (Michael the dishonest and Brian the victim).
The song seems to have a sinisterly vengeful tone as the chorus goes "I'll wait my turn to tear inside you/Watch you burn/I'll wait my turn." While that may not come off quite as sinister as the obvious feelings of anger are understood, the song ends with "I'll bide my time/I'll wait my turn." That sort of scheming seems to show that the whole spectacle has made a monster out of the wronged party.
"Broken Promise" is a song that relies on the strength of the vocalists. While the music certain sets the ambiance and carries the structure of the song, the ability of these two different sounding voices coming together without sounding out of place is what makes this song a success.
An obsessive Placebo fan, I will always wholeheartedly recommend their material. Perhaps not the ideal song to be introduced to the band, it's an excellent song that allows the listener to bask in the simplicity of the lyrics and complexity of the dramatic stage its sets.
5. "Suicide Uma Schrantz" by P.O.S.
This is a 30-second track of what could easily by tossed aside as a filler track. Ok, let's face it, it IS a filler track. But P.O.S. is one of those rare hip-hop artists you just enjoy listening to. He's got an atypical voice for the genre in this day and age and channels the true nature of the style with much of the rebellious nature of punk rock.
It's a throwaway track, but a little fun. You won't really enjoy this track unless you've heard his work nor will you enjoy it if you're not listening to the P.O.S. album. It's got silly lyrics with references to Suicide Girls and Charles Bronson and actually sounds like it could have made an entertaining full length track, but alas it doesn't.
What this track does do is whet the appetite to listen to P.O.S., which I think I will go do right now.
This has been The Weekly Wank.
For future installments, I hope to provide an mp3 of the song played (and may do that tonight for those discussed today). Additionally, I encourage others to do the same. Use my comments section if you like. And forgive typos.
So without further adieu, welcome to The Weekly Wank:
1. "Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl" by Broken Social Scene
I resisted even listening to this song for the longest time because since the instant the track was released, I found the lyrics posted on nearly every girl I knew's AIM profile, away message, message board signature, blog, and MySpace page. I couldn't escape it, so I simply avoided the damn song. For those uninitiated, Broken Social Scene is somewhat of an indie rock supergroup containing members of a bevy of respected artist.
Truth be told, this is a fucking excellent song. There is a subtle art to repetition that walks the razor line of maintaining the song and beating the listener over the head with words. Placebo and Nine Inch Nails have mastered this, and this song is another perfect example. It works best with music electronic in nature and while the foundations of the song's music lie in Canadian folk, it has the structure of an electronic track that wouldn't sound alien on a Postal Service album.
Metric's Emily Haines' voice was meant for this song. It contains this warm, haunting quality that feeds the repetitious nature of the song's minimal lyrics like a familiar ghost singing lullabies from an AM radio.
And I cannot resist the lyrics. They're of the pining nature; that undying feeling you get when you hope more than anything the person who tugs on your heartstrings is also thinking of you. There a subtle heartbreaking sweetness to it as well as the irresistibly sincere mantra: "Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me..."
As both a music whore and hopeless romantic, I recommend this song to anyone's next mix tape.
2. "Not Gonna Be Alone Tonight" by eve 6
Like most tracks from eve 6's third album, It's All In Your Head, "Not Gonna Be Alone Tonight" find the band mixing up their power pop-punk sound with this "I Love The 90's" type journey into the various stages of "alternative" (at least, that's how the album sounded to me, and we all know, above all, I am right).
Musically, this song serves as a strong combination of eve 6's signature sound molded with this dirty Tom Petty rock that wouldn't work if eve 6 didn't commit to it as much as they do. Max Collins treats the song seriously, so it does not stink of any gimmick, but the lack of punch his lyrics usually contain allows the song to be pretty forgetful to anyone who isn't already an eve 6 fan.
While the song is catchy, and certainly not a bad song at all, it's not among eve 6's best work and makes me wonder how this song made the cut but enjoyable songs like "405" never made it past the demo stage.
3. "Rescued" by Jack's Mannequin
I've always contest that Jack's Mannequin is a far superior musical venture than Something Corporate. And I am going to not go on a rant about emo, but I think the word is grossly overused and misunderstood. I say this because Jack's Mannequin is a band you might hear be associated with that word. That's fine. But people allow that association to take away from the sincerity of what may be an excellent, well written track. That finger is better for pointing at bands who do not deserve a tenth of the attention they have received (see: Hawthorne Heights, Taking Back Sunday)
"Rescued" is one of those songs that serves as evidence that Andrew McMahon never used his abilities as a pianist as a parlor trick. It's a quiet little ballad dealing with a breakout that appears to have been one of many with the same girl. Dealing with that welcoming of negative emotions that wash over you when going through the turbulence of a break-up, McMahon keeps the song simple, not because of his skill, but that it serves the song best.
Moments like this, you feel as if all you can utter are things in simplicity, which oft times end up feeling like revelations. The chorus ends with a moment that takes place when you think, so long as nothing breaks your immediate concentration; that moment where nothings good or bad, just a wash of blissful neutrality so that you can collect yourself to deal with whatever comes next: "I'm finally numb, so please don't get me rescued."
This song, like the entire Jack's Mannequin album, Everything In Transit, is definitely worth a spin to those who want something emotive, honest, and somewhat chill to listen to.
4. "Broken Promise" by Placebo (featuring Michael Stipe of R.E.M.)
Michael Stipe and Brian Molko's contrasting voices perfectly fit this song. It begins with a soft tinkling of piano keys as Stipe breathily begins the song which suddenly breaks down into a pounding of electronic beat and guitar as Brian Molko accompanies him to belt out the chorus. The continue the trend of trading off verses and coming together for the colossal chorus as they play the two sides of the subject of infidelity (Michael the dishonest and Brian the victim).
The song seems to have a sinisterly vengeful tone as the chorus goes "I'll wait my turn to tear inside you/Watch you burn/I'll wait my turn." While that may not come off quite as sinister as the obvious feelings of anger are understood, the song ends with "I'll bide my time/I'll wait my turn." That sort of scheming seems to show that the whole spectacle has made a monster out of the wronged party.
"Broken Promise" is a song that relies on the strength of the vocalists. While the music certain sets the ambiance and carries the structure of the song, the ability of these two different sounding voices coming together without sounding out of place is what makes this song a success.
An obsessive Placebo fan, I will always wholeheartedly recommend their material. Perhaps not the ideal song to be introduced to the band, it's an excellent song that allows the listener to bask in the simplicity of the lyrics and complexity of the dramatic stage its sets.
5. "Suicide Uma Schrantz" by P.O.S.
This is a 30-second track of what could easily by tossed aside as a filler track. Ok, let's face it, it IS a filler track. But P.O.S. is one of those rare hip-hop artists you just enjoy listening to. He's got an atypical voice for the genre in this day and age and channels the true nature of the style with much of the rebellious nature of punk rock.
It's a throwaway track, but a little fun. You won't really enjoy this track unless you've heard his work nor will you enjoy it if you're not listening to the P.O.S. album. It's got silly lyrics with references to Suicide Girls and Charles Bronson and actually sounds like it could have made an entertaining full length track, but alas it doesn't.
What this track does do is whet the appetite to listen to P.O.S., which I think I will go do right now.
This has been The Weekly Wank.
Good Morning, Internets
Found this in my old files. It amuses me though I find the tagline slightly stupid. I may have used this before, but I don't think so. I need caffeine.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Ah Well, At Least It's Entertaining
I'm beginning to wonder if in addition to "Good Morning, Internets" I should start one entitled "Poster Child For Abortion (or Pro-Choice..or what have you).
This jackass takes the cake today. Apparently, in an effort to prove himself a waste of my valuable oxygen, the so-called Zune Guy wishes to legally change his name to Microsoft Zune.
Now, on to the less abysmally stupid and to the odd:
A German businessman plans to launch the country's first television channel dedicated to funerals and mourning, complete with death announcements and documentaries about cemeteries. Personally, I think this is a wonderful idea. Think of all the fucked up children this will create if a parent threatens to re-enact what is shown on the telly. You can bet little Gunter will eat his fucking sauerkraut now.
As some of you know, the Writer's Guild of America is on strike. I am told, that there actually are some real goals aside from getting more money, however, that sort of information isn't being given to the public. In an industry where public image is greatly important, I think this unwise.
More to the point, I don't care. At the end of the day, I just want to see my goddamn stories, and if I don't care if it's the whiners or the tightwads in suits who are at the fault. Someone needs to go in and fix this shit instead of having a staring contest like everyone's autistic.
I would love, however, to explain why these little groups really even exist anymore. The union seems pretty much a dead thing in America. Or it's just proof of power corrupting. Who knows. This is not an area I am well schooled or researched in, which is why I'm talking mainly out of my ass, Variety articles, and the bane of all existence (which is why I use it, to annoy you), Wikipedia.
This jackass takes the cake today. Apparently, in an effort to prove himself a waste of my valuable oxygen, the so-called Zune Guy wishes to legally change his name to Microsoft Zune.
Now, on to the less abysmally stupid and to the odd:
A German businessman plans to launch the country's first television channel dedicated to funerals and mourning, complete with death announcements and documentaries about cemeteries. Personally, I think this is a wonderful idea. Think of all the fucked up children this will create if a parent threatens to re-enact what is shown on the telly. You can bet little Gunter will eat his fucking sauerkraut now.
As some of you know, the Writer's Guild of America is on strike. I am told, that there actually are some real goals aside from getting more money, however, that sort of information isn't being given to the public. In an industry where public image is greatly important, I think this unwise.
More to the point, I don't care. At the end of the day, I just want to see my goddamn stories, and if I don't care if it's the whiners or the tightwads in suits who are at the fault. Someone needs to go in and fix this shit instead of having a staring contest like everyone's autistic.
I would love, however, to explain why these little groups really even exist anymore. The union seems pretty much a dead thing in America. Or it's just proof of power corrupting. Who knows. This is not an area I am well schooled or researched in, which is why I'm talking mainly out of my ass, Variety articles, and the bane of all existence (which is why I use it, to annoy you), Wikipedia.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Good Morning, Internets
I don't expect more than two of you to understand why this is fucking hysterical. Trust me, it is.
And for the curious, watch the "Lauren Cooper" sketches on the Katherine Tate Show on YouTube.
And for the curious, watch the "Lauren Cooper" sketches on the Katherine Tate Show on YouTube.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Well, October...
I would like to take this moment to wish October a fine "Fuck you!" For a variety of reasons, the month held great potential and I entered the month with a degree of optimism.
Apparently, my foresight was akin to a blind kid trying his hand at Magic Eye.
Holy shit. One of the more terrible months of an already particularly dismal year (save for stellar music releases by Saves the Day and Say Anything).
Halloween and the first few days of November have shown promise...or at the very least have been...interesting.
On the other hand, I've been seeing a bit more of my friend, Bryant Jackson, as of late, and we're closer to physically planning or comic than we've been since the first month we spoke about it. Collaborative creation is definitely the way for me to work right now. I like having someone involved to bounce around ideas with. It also motivates me more to write. I think after a few weeks and a proper serious talk about it, we may have actually started on one of our ideas by Thanksgiving, which would be amazing.
Yes, world, I am on to you. You'll get yours...very soon.
Apparently, my foresight was akin to a blind kid trying his hand at Magic Eye.
Holy shit. One of the more terrible months of an already particularly dismal year (save for stellar music releases by Saves the Day and Say Anything).
Halloween and the first few days of November have shown promise...or at the very least have been...interesting.
On the other hand, I've been seeing a bit more of my friend, Bryant Jackson, as of late, and we're closer to physically planning or comic than we've been since the first month we spoke about it. Collaborative creation is definitely the way for me to work right now. I like having someone involved to bounce around ideas with. It also motivates me more to write. I think after a few weeks and a proper serious talk about it, we may have actually started on one of our ideas by Thanksgiving, which would be amazing.
Yes, world, I am on to you. You'll get yours...very soon.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
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