Customer Reviews

In Search of Solid Ground

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a preface, I am a huge fan of Saosin's self-titled album of 2006. It's a staple in my car and on my .mp3 player.

In short, this album falls short of the legacy Saosin started with their '06 debut full-length. It's still a solid album, but it lacks a certain sting that its predecessor had. Many of the melodic breakdowns and screaming guitars I loved from that album are largely missing.

It's not all bad. Much of the signature sound of Saosin is still here; you won't mistake this album for any other band. The drumming is very entertaining, and intricate enough to appease my technical tastes. I still think that he can do better (and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition), but Alex does a great job. The album, on the whole, flows very nicely. I recommend listening to it in order for at least the first few pass-throughs. The beginning of the album is a bit weighted compared to the latter half, but if you listen to it sequentially, the album ends up coming together decently.

In summary, if you enjoyed Saosin's signature sound from their self-titled, pick this up. It's a solid album, but not the breakout hit I was hoping for. I guess the best way to describe it is that it's a bit to "pop"-y for my tastes. They've abandoned some of their hardcore roots in favor of a softer feel.

Favorites include: Deep Down, Why Can't You See, and Is This Real.

UPDATE: I've had this CD in my rotation for a few weeks now, and I have to say that it HAS grown on me. It's a very good album, all in all. Its flaws are still apparent, and it still seems too soft, but I can say that this is still worth picking up. What came to mind for me is Linkin Park's recent album; whereas LP basically destroyed what they had built over their past few albums with the new Minutes to Midnight disc and turned into a very bland soft rock band with little to no display of talent, Saosin has merely tweaked their sound on the new album. It's not so far a departure that it's doubtful they will get back to their roots, as LP did. Here's hoping the next album 1) is heavier and has more hardcore elements to it, and 2) doesn't take 3 years to make. Cheers!

This is the 2nd full length disc by saosin. It rocks! It is way more diverse than the self titled disc. Highly recommended.

The Self titled absolutely blew me away and this one comes close. The album has a slighly more melodic sound (which isn't bad, nor does it lack complexity), the drumming and guitar work is still amazing, and Cove's singing is great. The lyrics are heart felt and really help when trying to understand the album. This is truly a God inspired band. If you like the S/t then this won't disappoint. Give it a few listens before reviewing.

...a little on the different side compared to the s/t, but that wasn't really a bad thing at all. The CD still has that Saosin sound from their s/t but just a more mature overall feel to it. It's been a long 3 year wait but it's well worth it...check it out, stand out tracks IMO are: Deep Down, On My Own, Say Goodbye, The Worst Of Me, Nothing Is What It Seems (Without You), & Fireflies (Light Messengers).

SO I have been a huge Saosin fan basically from the beginning. I was excited for this new cd....but when I actually listened to it I was kinda disappointed. As others pointed out I feel like this one is lacking something, this is not the Saosin that I have grown to love so much over the years. It's not bad, but not what I was expecting...I feel like many of their tracks sound like a different band, something more emo-poppy. Two tracks(1&3) are included that were on the latest EP, "The Grey EP", which I also have and listened to on repeat constantly after I bought it at their concert(signed by the members!!). These tracks have been changed though, and don't sound as good. I don't know if I'm just used to the other versions, but I don't like them nearly as much. I will try and see if this new sound grows on me, but I'm hoping that the next Saosin cd will sound more like the old them. I think this cd is good for those that have not heard Saosin yet, or are newer fans and like a softer emo genre. To all the long time fans like myself, don't expect what your used to, but I guess give it a try.

I saw a couple videos of this group on Youtube. The fan videos really get me excited about new music. The fan videos encouraged me to give these guys a try and I am so glad I did. I loved every song on this CD and I want MORE! I feel a new favorite group coming on... lol.

There are 2 songs I did not really like that much on this Cd. But the rest of it was great. For the most part it sounds similar to their self Titled CD which is a really good thing.

I'm not going to lie, I did like the album. It was a good solid album, and it was woth the money. But you know what would have made it a great album. If it was made by someone else. Don't worry I'm about to explain. Saosin is in my top 5 favorite bands list, and when I listen to Saosin, I expect to hear a certain type of sound. I mean I understand the idea of trying something different, but come on. This album couldn't be further away from Saosin's roots if they hopped in a corvette and put the pedal to the floor. They strayed so far from the sound that made them famous, and I'm not even talking about Anthony. I thought the white self titled album was an instant classic, i even thought the grey EP rocked. But this was like Saosin meets Daughtry and Simple Plan. Not that there's anything wrong with those bands, but when i put in a saosin CD or select it in my MP3, i expect to hear Saosin. I'm sorry, but for the most part, I didn't hear that on this album.

This is an alright album although it has some alternate versions of songs from the grey ep that have less energy and more production involved. As a Saosin fan I think their old and recent singer are both great but I also look forward to the drummer (Alex Rodrigez?) who I think is amazing and precise. However, I thought he was somewhat repetitive and less involved on this cd than the prior one. Even though live this band is amazing, the cd only gets 4 out of 5. It has some great songs though, mos def worth buying.

Oh gosh were do I start. I have been following Saosin through their beginnings back in Orange County CA. Through performances at the Glass House and Arlene's Grocery which for being so novice were unbelievable. To the days at the Chicago House of Blues and Crown Point, Indiana Gymnasiums to numerous Warped Tour performances. I've been through the Anthony Green phase and his lyrical talent is unprecedented along with his melodic and entrancing voice. Now we have Cove Reber, whom I also love and have met on several occasions, who also has a wonderful, melodic, entrancing voice. Their first self titled album was stellar and everything I was hoping for and expected from a band whom I feel like I've grown with and grown to love. Lyrics, instrumentals, producing all top notch. You have to hand it to the other band members as well because Chris Sorenson their bassist usually has a hand in the production, he is a very talented individual, as well as Beau, and Justin. Alex can sure shred the drums and he is something to aspire too for modern drummers. The record just kept me coming back for more.

In search of solid ground came out and I was the first at Best Buy to pick this up (cause I work there haha). Put it in my Cd player hopin to rock out on my twenty minute ride home. This did not happen...at all.

Track 1: I Keep My Secrets Safe - If you are a Saosin fan at all you should have picked up the Grey EP which ROCKED SO GOOD. Keep secrets is the first track on that album and I listen to it everyday. This new "I Keep My Secrets Safe" in my opinion sucks horribly. The production value is great but nothing like the EP. They have done this before when the re-released "Bury Your Head" on the self titled album dulling it down from the Black Ep and taking the "I want to sing until my lungs give out or my neck breaks" factor. Saosin I have a valuable lesson to teach you all. If it's not broke don't fix it. PLEASE.

I'm going to skip to track 5 now because I just can't say much about the others except I don't really care for them. By now I'm questioning where Alex's profound drums are they are so far pushed to the back that it's a disgrace to his talent. I love Cove's voice but I need more Justin and Beau on the guitars I need to hear these riffs.

Track 5: On My Own - This track has an excellent melody and the guitars bring me back to the first self titled album. It rocks and I'm a huge fan of the chorus Cove just hits those high notes and it is glorious he becomes a force to be reckoned with. Justin and Beau are blaring the guitars and boom "In my daydreams you take over me" dah dah dah dah dah "In these daydreams you take over me!" pure unbridled awesome raw power. Killer.

There are a couple more tracks on the album that are decent and those are the ones they remastered from the Grey EP but didn't change completely. Good choice. But the last four to five tracks are so blaaaah, slow, uninteresting, and offer a display of writers block and a slew of bad ideas strung along with melody. This could be a sophomore slump, so to speak, but they need to find their own solid ground. Go back to square one for the next album, where do their roots lie? I guess we won't know until the third album.

I still love Saosin, and always will, I hope I didn't rag on them to bad. It was a valiant effort none the less. Writing lyrics should come from life experiences, pure emotion, and your deepest darkest thoughts. They just missed the mark. Cove, Beau, Justin, Chris, and Alex I give you an A for effort but a C overall. Hit the drawing board. I look forward to seeing them in Chicago.