Stories and Alibis [ENHANCED] [EP]

Matchbook Romance

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, EP
• Label: Epitaph / Ada
• ASIN: B0000BWVOM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,203 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Introduction

2. Your Stories, My Alibis

3. Playing for Keeps

4. Promise

5. Lovers & Liars

6. Tiger Lily

7. Shadows Like Statues

8. My Eyes Burn

9. She'll Never Understand

10. If All Else Fails

11. Stay Tonight

12. Greatest Fall of All Time

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The debut full-length album from Poughkeepsie, New York's next wave hardcore emo princess. Twelve searing tracks of powerful and passionate punk for those who wear their hearts on their sleeves, and dig the sounds of bands like Taking Back Sunday, Jimmy Eat World, and The Used. Enhanced with interviews and live footage. Digipak. Epitaph. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the top Emo Albums of '05, August 8, 2005

By	Matthew Berdan (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was first introduced to Matchbook Romance a couple years ago at the Warped Tour. Being surronded by such bands as New Found Glory, Starting Line, and Something Corporate made it difficult for this band to really seperate themselves in my eyes. I picked up thier accoustic release under "Motion City Soundtrack" last year and it reminded me of The Starting Line's "Make Yourself At Home", to me, one of the best acoustic EP's written in the past five or so years.

To be honest, I did not expect much from "Stories and Alibis", but what I got was one of the best albums I have purchased in recent memory. For an album to be great to me, it has to provide three particular items. One is tone, an ability to captivate an audience to not only get pumped up by a guitar solo, but also pay attention to the words being sung. Two is diversity. Any band can play the same music over and over for 40 minutes, for it to be something special, they have to take time out to make some sound different. And lastly, staying power. The CD doesn't need to stay on the billboard top 100 or anything, but as the person who purchased the CD, if it stay in constant rotation for over 6 months, that CD has stayed around.

For me, "Stories and Alibis" fits those criteria. I purchased the CD back in January and have not stopped listening to it since then. Each song carries with emotion, musical talent and powerful lyrics to boot. The first single off the CD, "My Eyes Burn" is broken heart anthem for the youth of america. The hypnotic guitar lines along with the simple open of "My eyes burn from these tears" grips the audience to let themselves go with the song. The second track, "Playing For Keeps" is a remake of their accoustic release off of the "Motion City Soundtrack." They continue to use an enticing musical formula as to keep the audience pumped up with the rhytm of the song, yet saddened at the message it gives off. It speaks of a something everyone has gone through, being in a bad relationship but being able to get out, as evidenced by the line "your welcome has cancer, but my door is always open wide."

The real treat of the CD comes in the shape of track 4 "Promise." A song about young love, when all you need is that person by your side to get through anything the world throws your way. Lyricaly, to me this is the best Matchbook Romance has to offer. Musically, it is a ballad that doesn't put you to sleep or cause tears of sadness. It makes you want to stand up and face today and simply live. This one can be replayed over and over again...

Those are only three of eleven excellent tracks off this album (I do not count the introduction as a song since no lyrics are involved). Personally, I find track 6 "Tiger Lilly" a bit too slow for my liking, but none-the-less it delivers as a heart felt ballad for the young and confused. There are not too many other CD's that I thought were better then this one for the punk/emo genre. Anberlin's "Never Take Friendship Personal", Mae's "The Everglow" and Jimmy Eat World's "Futures" were the only other CD's I would put in the same category of Matchbook Romances' "Stories and Alibis." An absolute must have!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WhaT? Where did this come from??, September 3, 2004

By	K. Drouhard "doctadeearee" (NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I admit it. I never listen to punk. I own 40+ rap albums, and no punk or anything else. So I have what you call a "closed-mind" when it comes to other genres of music. I was introduced to this band, and I found out you can listen to all the tracks online. So I let them play, and went to sleep. When I wake up, most of my bad judgement of music is gone. And what I heard was the song Tiger Lily, it just happened to be on this song. It was really good!! I couldn't believe it, that I was actually diggin something that wasn't rap. But, I really really liked it. Now, that I'm one of their newest fans, I am gonna buy the cd. I can't wait. I read their lyrics a lot now and try to sing along. The lyrics are so good and it hits home when you listen to it. You can relate to this guy's lyrics, i dont know his name but he is really good. I hope he breaks through to the mainstream music soon so everybody can be exposed to this great music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, January 2, 2005

By	Crazy Conservative "The Compassionate Conserv... (Huntsville, AL USA) - See all my reviews

I was totally blown away by this album. As a big fan of emo/screamo/hardcore music, I rate things pretty harshly. I was given this CD as a Christmas present from my friend, and I have to say, it's one of the best CDs I've ever heard. Their melodies are very catchy and it has great lyrics. The best songs on the CD are:

Playing For Keeps - A song about the hardships of relationships. I give it a 10/10.

Promise - A sweet song about asking a loved one not to go. I give this one a 10/10.

Tiger Lily - A very nice acoustic with lovely lyrics. I give it a 10/10.

My Eyes Burn - It is a great song, but it's been a little overplayed. It gets an 8/10 from me because I've heard it so much, but you'll give it a 10/10 once you hear it.

I give this two thumbs up, a 10/10, a ***** album. GO BUY IT NOW.