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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Better Than Average, March 22, 2006
You may remember Socialburn from back in 2003 when they had a few minor hits with "Down" and "Everyone," but then again, maybe you don't. Afterall, there were (and still kind of are) plenty of bands saturating the scene and doing the same style. And it doesn't help that after their mild success that their label folded and the band ran for shelter. Nevertheless, "Where You Are," Socialburn's debut is still a competent release that shows a lot more potential than what's on the surface.
"Where You Are," as produced by Creed/Puddle Of Mudd producer John Kurzweg, is full of 12 songs, all of which are ready for radio and could easily be hits. Listening to this album, it's a bit difficult to see why the band never took off. Frontman Neil Alday (who moans in his best Kurt Cobain) proves to be a good songwriter, and the band plays together with a professionalism hardly seen in bands this young. "Down" and "Everyone" are easy hits, as well as "Never Be The Same," the bitter ballad of the set. "Utopia" is a bit darker (and reminiscent of Smile Empty Soul) and helps break up any monotony. However, in my eyes (or ears) the standouts are "Break Back" and "Ashes," two songs that show a bit of an edgier side and showcase the band in a state that's a bit more raw and a bit more rocking than elsewhere.
Overall, it's a good, if not, predictable listen. Fans of the genre should have no trouble appreciating Socialburn. However, when you consider that Kurt Cobain has been dead for just about 12 years, and that bands like this are a dime-a-dozen, it's a bit hard to give Socialburn the credit they deserve. Truly, they could have gone for a more exciting sound (their follow-up album, "The Beauty Of Letting Go" is close, but no cigar) with the talent involved. As it is though, if you just want a good rock CD that doesn't require much brain-power, this is "Where You Are."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Socialburn is Amazing, May 29, 2003
I first heard Socialburn on a local radio station here in FL. They played 2 of their songs off the new CD 'Where You Are'. I was, simply put, blown away. The 2 songs I heard (Down, U) were enough to make me rush out and buy this wonderful CD. Once I bought it, I couldn't wait to see if this band was too good to be true... could they really produce a CD FULL of nothing but great music? Of coarse they could! The whole CD is awesome. Every song I listened to was better than the last. They almost immediatly became my new favorite band, which is not an easy spot to fill. All my friends, no matter what they listen to, think Socialburn is a really good band... most of them end up buying the CD just because of it's timelessness! You can listen too it all day everyday and it just keeps getting better! Anyway, I'd just like to say that 'Where You Are' and Socialburn are the best!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonder Where This Band Came From..., March 13, 2003
In the world of rock, it seems a new band emerges every day and sounds either too much like other bands or has no lyrics. However, in the case of Socialburn, their debut album actually jumps onto the scene in a music year littered with many great releases already and many more to come..and Socialburn proves they aren't just another rock band trying to make it. "Break Back" opens the album with a great guitar and drum intro and lyrically I love this song about regretting lose and wanting to break back to the past to change it...top song. "Down", the first single according to many other reviewers, showcases the vocals of the lead singer quite nicely and even though it's not the strongest on the album, it's still a good track. "Ashes" begins with a nice acoustic guitar strumming at the beginning and creates a more melancholic tone that seems to highlight the reason for the somber title of the song...great song. "Everyone" begins with the passionate vocals against the backdrop of guitars and then the drums add in...very good song as well. "I'm Happy" has a 3 Doors Down feel to it at the beginning and is a great song that has an upbeat tempo and message, particularly about waiting to see someone so much...I can relate to this song and I love it. "One More Day" has a nice acoustic feel to it and I like the accompanying vocals on this track...great lyrics and great song that slows the tempo down some from the harder rock tracks. "U" is in my opinion the best song first of all on the album and ought to be the next single..it has a great strummed intro and the the guitars and drums interlaced with absolutely captivating lyrics...my favorite song on the entire album and one of the best songs of the year thus far. "Never Be the Same" has a slower beginning but has a more passionate chorus..top song. "Utopia" begins off almost eerie like with the guitars and drums but I really like this song too lyrically and rhythmically. "Vacany" is one of the downbeat songs on the album but I love this song too with the great vocals and lyrics as well...another great song. "Pretend" isn't a bad song at all but it almost goes too quick on the lyrics but has a great chorus and silence before the chorus..interesting and innovative. "Stacy" ends the album quite nicely with the drums and guitaring in it as well as well as interesting lyrics. Overall this band exceeds all the other debut wannabe rock bands by combining elements of bands like The Calling (passionate vocals), Puddle of Mudd (vocals again) and new innovative guitar rifts combined with drumming. Lyrically, this album is awesome as well and I only see this band becoming bigger with time.
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