Customer Reviews

Discovering the Waterfront

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I remember back in the good old days('98, '99, or so)when the indie scene was still the indie scene and not all over MTV and on the radio. Back then you pretty much had hardcore bands or punk bands. Then there were a few bands that you just couldn't quite classify. These were the bands that have now been termed "screamo". I look back at the beginnings of this branch of music and find that it all stemmed from three bands and three of their albums: Hot Water Music "Fuel For The Hate Game", Grade "Under The Radar", and Keepsake "The End Of Sound". I remember back then being amazed at these bands doing things I had never heard before: meshing poppy melodies, clean vocals, and growling screams. And now, it seems to me anyway, that there's not a single band around today that's not doing it.

Which brings me to Silverstein's "Discovering The Waterfront". Its not a bad album by any means. They're obviously talented musicians with a good singer and a knack for catchy hooks. There are some good toetappers here: 'Your Sword vs. My Dagger'(which could easily get decent radio play), 'Discovering The Waterfront', and 'Fist Wrapped In Blood' being some of the more standout tracks.

I can't really say anything bad about the band or their music except for they pretty much sound like every other band out there thats doing this genre right now. Screamo has hit the mainstream in a big way recently(i.e. Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, Hawthorne Heights, etc.)and somebody needs to do something to rise above the rest of the crowd because just about everyone sounds the same.

"Discovering The Waterfront" is a decent album but it just doesn't amaze me. If you are into screamo its worth a listen or two. But personally, I'd recommend that you go buy albums by the bands I mentioned earlier: Hot Water Music, Grade, or Keepsake and hear what screamo was like when it was new, fresh, still finding its legs, and before it got a bit stale.

When i first heard the single "Smile in your sleep" I was hooked.
Silverstein brought fresh, new sounding rock to the table.
From the first track "Your Sword Versus My Dagger" To the last track "Rodeo Clown" is a great listen.
I will NEVER get sick of this CD!!
Its a must have!

I would say that Silverstein is breaking even here. It's not quite at the level mediocrity, nor is it a sell-out record by any means, these guys did deliver...but I felt semi-short changed after the last track was said and done.

Vocally it's more medolic at times, and although the amount of screaming is reduced in comparison to "When Broken Is...", the abscence of that was balanced out with the instrumentals. The first half of the album is stunning, the rest kinda/sorta gives you a mesh of redundancy. I would've really liked to hear the entire thing push the envelope with the intricate sound that was written all over the first 5 tracks. Had they done that, "Discovering.." could've been the strongest piece of work to date for the band. I was very impressed, but not as impressed as I had anticipated to be.

Highlights:

My Sword Vs. Your Dagger -- A good opener, probably the most aggressive track. There really aren't many others that come close to the pace of 'My Sword' -- though, had it been put somewhere in the middle of the album, it would've stuck out as the remaining songs go on to be a little more indifferent.

Fist Wrapped in Blood -- Really complex. After hearing this on purevolume a while back I was definately blown away by how many change-ups ran through this song of only 2 minutes and 57 seconds.

The Ides of March -- A bit catchy and predictable at times. It shows how unique these guys can be on a song without screwing it up like most bands do while trying to be innovative. They nailed it.

Discovering The Waterfront -- Hands down the best thing to come out of this record. The only real ballad-esque track, the vocals alone are amazing/haunting, solid from start to finish. Some would say 'meh it's just another emo song', but it rightly defines a good chunk of the album. Even if the lyrics aren't ultra strong, it's profound enough to relate to. As far as sound goes, the breakdown of the chorus is rough, perfect to match the harmonic flow. Clocking in at almost 5 minutes, I'm glad the most impressve song also turned out to be the longest of the record.

Overall, "Discovering the Waterfront" isn't a massive step for Silverstein but at the same time it was a good step. "When Broken" was also amazing, but I still think they're holding back from making a full on masterpiece.

I agree with the person below me on some points. I like the last album, but felt that the lyrics were a bit immature. I was hoping to find a change with the sophmore effort, but i did not. But on the other hand... i listen to a lot of emo/hardcore... so I'm used to lyrics like this. The first four or five songs on Discovering the Waterfront are really a lot heavier than When Broken Is Easily Fixed. There are actually a few attempted breakdowns! I really like the first half of this album. The last half is kind of up-beat and not as heavy... but those songs aren't bad. The SCREAMING IS WAAAAAYYYYY BETTER. That's what i'm most impressed with on this album. I think Silverstein gets my vote for most improved band... for now.

I Have listened to both Discovering the Water Front and When Broken is Easily Fixed but i have to say DTWF is much much better. Unlike many modern bands who enhance their voices to make them sound better SIlverstein dosent do it and they sound great. I saw them live in pittsburgh in october and it was amazing. All of their songs are good to listen to unlike some bands who have boring terrible songs just to fill space on the album. Currently my favorite song on the album is Call it Karma but i still think all the other songs are great too. Overall if you like emo/scremo music buy it see how you like it u might be supprised.

this album is a step forward to what was WBIEF..especially in the guitar work...songs like the emotional "discovering the waterfront"..the full of angst "smile in your sleep"..."already dead" (with that superb riff)..are what gives this album 5 stars

This album is definitely different from the last album. It is more fast paced and has a different feel to it. Overall, it is definitely a better album though, reflecting all the ways the band has grown and progressed since the release of "When Broken is Easily Fixed." Though it might not have a gut-wrenching anthem like "My Heart Bleeds No More" as a whole the album has a consistent theme of heartbreak, pain, and then redemption. Check out "Always and Never" and "Three Hours Back."

I wasnt really overall impressed with thier last album, but i thought i would give this one a shot. I did, the first song kept me very very interested in the cd. There are many standout songs on the cd. For instance, Your Sword Vs. My Dagger, Smile In Your Sleep, Ides of March, Discovering the Waterfront, My Heroine, and Three Hours Back make this whole cd what it is. There are a lot of blends and great guitar riffs that keep you intuned into listening to it. Overall i love every song on the cd except Call it Karma, that one could use some work. Otherwise, this cd is worth the 13.99$ I suggest that you go buy it, you wont be dissapointed.

Lately, a lot of bands that I like have released sophomore albums that haven't really been up to par. EX- Emery's The secret.

At first I was skeptical about this one because I really liked when broken is easilly fixed but with all the bad 2nd tries happening lately, I assumed it would not be worth the money, that I should just wait an buy it used. Well, finally I broke and decided to get her...

Wow, good idea! This album is in no way a weak follow up to the band's debut. In fact it much improves on their sound. it's catchier, more technical, and just better. The one beef I had with Silverstien's debut was that for every awesome song on there, following it would be one after it that would be slow and sucky. That doesn't occur nearly as much on here. There's only like 2 slow songs and they aren't that bad either. So your getting a more band for your buck here.

I also must say that the dudes have really given themselves a tune up. Sure the same Silvertien song structure is here: the usual slow sad and catchy intro followed by the rest of the song that manages to pick you up and throw you across the room.

Not only that, but the guitar work is a lot more technical here. I admit at first listen, some of the riffs here sounded a bit trivial at times, but after you get used to it, things start to come together. Plus, the drumming on here is done a lot better than last time around. The fills aren't repetive as was the case sometimes on WBIEF.

However, I so have a few problems with this one. Remember when I said that this one was a lot catchier that WBIEF. Well, in the process of "popifying" the sound, they sacrifice a lot of the heaviness they used to have. Don't get me wrong though, DTWF is still very heavy, but not quite as much as I liked before. I guess they were told if they didn't make this one a bit more radio friendly, they wouldn't make it to their third CD deal. But this happens to a lot of bands. This scares me though, because this is a route reminiscent of the one Hawthorne heights took earlier this year, and I think we all know what happened to them. (No more real fans just teenie boopers ECT)

Still, despite those minor things, this one still retains a sound that defies the mainstream emo. TOld still screams a lot and let me tell you he does it just as good as before. The lyrics are a bit better too. It's not the sad whinney emo stories of WBIEF. The subject matter here reminds of a more mature silverstien.

So what can I say about this overall? Silverstien refine their sound and it works too! Pros-Catchier, Better drums and guitar, and less throway tracks. Cons-not as heavy, a little repetive but just barely.

I would tell you to go get this if you like Screamo or even emo. If you like WBIEF and are fearing the Sophomore slump, don't worry! This one delivers!

Ok well ill get straight to the point on this one, this is an EMO album strickly emo, i do like how they put it together tho, the perfect opening song for this album and the fact it comes with a dvd with interveiws and the music videos makes it worth it even more, anyways this cd isnt the best one out there in fact i bet alot of people would prefer the older album, there is alot improved such as vocals lyrics and sound, this cd is worth checking out but if you dont like emo then forget this cd for sure...