Customer Reviews

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence [2 LP Vinyl]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are certain albums that just hit at the right time. From a band bringing a style all their own with songs that cut into your own life experiences. Glassjaw's "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence" is that album for me. I was still in high school when this came out, and like any solid album from that era, it reminds me of simpler times. But more than that, the lyrical content definitely reflects certain personal feelings at the time and the music definitely left me open to many more bands and styles thereafter.

Now, even if you haven't had personal experiences with this album yet, it's still something worth looking into. From a band with only two official albums out so far, Glassjaw's first is definitely a true classic. In 2000, bands like this didn't quite exist. True, there were groups like Deftones and Will Haven who obviously were an influence, but the onslaught of hardcore and emo bands that would come a few years later couldn't yet be seen. To say Glassjaw are/were a combination of the genres is unfair. Do they fit amongst today's "hot" groups like My Chemical Romance or Taking Back Sunday? Hell no.

"Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence" is truly, completely 100% original. From the crashing sounds often delivered by the band, to frontman Daryl Palumbo's awkward and unique delivery, there is definitely something unheard of at the time here. When I first sat down with it (having heard virtually nothing yet) I wasn't sure how to feel. Surely enough, though, like most truly great albums, it crept up on me and hit me after a few listens. So don't be surprised if you don't "get it" on the first try. The heavier, catchy tracks like "Siberian Kiss" and "Pretty Lush" are intensely addictive, with the spacey, more emotionally driven songs like "When One Eight Becomes Two Zeros" and "Her Middle Name Was Boom" balancing them out rather nicely. Personal favorites, however, would be "Majour" -- a song which could have been a hit for the band had it been released (in my opinion) -- and "Piano," possibly the catchiest of the bunch and bearing some Weezer influence.

In short, "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence" is just one of those special albums that never wears thin. I can still listen to it six years later and get the same effect I did when I was 16. And it should definitely appeal to today's scene, as it is definitely more mature and sincere than the bands it influenced. Too bad Glassjaw's future is on a tightrope right now. I get a feeling that if they were active and still making new music, they would bring a revolution with them.

Harryq is correct. The album sounds great and all, but the overall release could've been made sweeter. like he said, the album isn't even gatefold. there isn't any special tracks or anything else like that either. also, in the insert with all of the lyrics has quite a few typos. on top of all that, disc 1's hole was too small to fit on my record player and i had to make the hole bigger to play it. the LP release was disappointing.

Although produced by Ross Robinson, don't lump this band in with the hoards of nu-metal bands that he's associated with. This is a class slab of sometimes primal, sometimes delicate post hardcore that will take a few listens before it begins to put in its hooks. The most immediate track, 'Ry Ry's Song' serves as a sonic entry point for the listener, the rest of the album taking a little longer to appreciate. The bonus edition features a cover of Youth Of Today's 'Modern Love Story' boasting a duet with Ray Cappo of Y.O.T and Shelter fame (also available as the B-side to UK release 'Ry Ry's Song' single). Quite simply, Glassjaw are one of the most interesting and challenging bands within this genre, taking elements of (New York) hardcore, punk, metal, and hints from a host of genres and styles - the final outcome being a challenging yet awarding album.

All they did for the packaging was flatten out a old cardboard box, no real protection for mailing. The post office had marked it for damage cuz the packaging was so crappy (my mail lady knows I purchase lots of vinyl in the mail) she marked the package for damage since it was warped all to hell. Luckily the only thing that happened to the record was there was a one inch or so crease in two of the corners, believe me i take damn good care of my vinyl so I hate even to see that. This is the first of two records I ever bought from Gohastings and the other one they sent me was a CD instead of vinyl. So, with both my purchases they messed them up. Never buy from them if someone else has the same product, I have bought 50+ records from importcds here on the amazon market and never had one problem, and they ship super fast.

First off, as I said in the subject, I love this album, and I was excited to hear that it was being reissued on vinyl. Having said that, it doesn't come with the bonus tracks, and it's not a gatefold package (i.e., both LPs are crammed into one sleeve). It's not that big of a deal, but I guess I was just expecting more (hence the four stars). In terms of sound quality, I haven't listened to them yet, but I'm assuming since it's vinyl, it's good.

Definately order this album on vinyl because there is only a limited pressing (easiest place to find it is online, most retailers won't carry the remastered cd or vinyl in stores...just the original). You would think that since the remastered version of the cd has extra tracks, that the vinyl would too...not so... this album IS a double LP, BUT, the difference is, its remastered and has all the same tracks as the original. so if you were hoping to find the extra tracks, look for the cd. Also, the liner notes are the same as in the original cd.. just thought i would clear this up for everyone...i bought the vinyl expecting the "new tracks" (which are very old if you are a HUGE GJ fan like myself)..

But don't let that sway you from owning a piece of history on vinyl!!

glassjaw had a big fight with roadrunner
they dont get a cent from sales of this album
they dont appreciate it was remixed
tacked on with songs they dont approve of
pirate the old cd and listen to that
dont support roadrunner
support glassjaw

This album is the best album I've ever heard in my entire life. What a huge statement to make, huh? That statement doesn't go unjust. You've heard this all before but the second this album starts..you're pulled in with the song Pretty Lush. And I guarantee that by the end of the album..you'll feel the exact feelings lead vocalist, Daryl Palumbo, was feeling when he sung it. There are so many powerful songs on this album that even though I've listened to the album..well, too many times to count, it blows me away still. What's particuarlly amazing about this album is that even if you know every word. Even if you know how to play the song exactly to every single way that Daryl says a word..it'll be brand new to you everytime you listen to it. No musician that I have ever heard has created such a feeling that GlassJAw does in this album. If there was any album you could ever buy..I strongly, STRONGLY recommend this one. Glassjaw is the most wonderous band with the strongest vocalist, guitarest, drummer and well.everything. This is probably one of the only bands that I can say are still playing for the music. Buy it!