Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Natural Progression For Project 86, March 3, 2005
"Songs To Burn Your Bridges By," Project 86's fourth release, and the follow-up to their brilliant 2002 album, "Truthless Heroes" finds the band returning to the Tooth & Nail label that housed their debut, and further perfecting their signature sound. This is an album that anyone previously initiated with the band will love, and newcomers as well. I always find the greatest music comes from bands or artists that just can't be categorized. Project 86 definitely fall into that category. They don't fit into any genre and it's hard to nail exactly what sound they are going for. The albums kicks off in familiar fashion with "The Spy Hunter" and "Oblivion," two songs that are classic P86, and caps off with a rather sublime tune "Solace," much in the same vein as "Hollow Again." Throughout the album, which is a vague concept piece, there is quite a bit of variety as the band refuses to stick to one sound. "A Shadow Of Me" and "Safe Haven" reflect the more melodic side of the band, while the punky and catchy "Say Goodnight To The Bad Guy" and the dark, textured "Circuitry" compliment each other well. Vocalist Andrew Schwab has a very distinct voice, and is one of the few vocalists out there who sounds like he really means what he is singing. This is truly a group that feels their music. Don't be turned off by the fact that they are a Christian band, as the music doesn't neccessarily revolve around any religious beliefs. Project 86 are easily one of the most unique bands out there today, and it's a pity they have hardly gotten any recognition. Quality music always prevails with these guys, and if you are looking for something new, or already love the band, I must direct you towards "Songs To Burn Your Bridges By." There will be no regrets.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Project Release, June 1, 2004
After having several label fueds and releasing STBYBB as and Indie Release on the Project headed Team Black records,Project 86 made amends with former label Tooth and Nail to re-release the CD with three additional songs. I have owned the Indie version since its release this last winter so I have come to know this album very well. This album is nothing short of another amazing release by one of the most frustratingly under promoted band of our time. Project 86 eclipses nearly all other Christian bands with the possible exception of Stavesacre in intensity, incredibly meaningful lyrics, emotion, and creative hard song writing. I question frequently how the likes of POD and Blindside, while both excellent bands, have gone so much further than P86 in the mainstream. In my mind Project 86 is with the likes of Tool, NIN, Deftones, and other "elite" bands in their quality of music. Without a doubt if you like heavy melodic, thinking music, than order this CD and all of P86's previous releases.
The Spy Hunter - The CD starts out with a furious riff that almost has a punk theme, than proceeds to add the rest of the band after Andrew says "One last disguise". The song is an excellent intro to the theme of revenge and independence on the disc
Oblivion - Continuing the theme Oblivion leads the listener in with its driving riff and then explodes into its catchy chorus. One of the weaker tracks but nonetheless incredible
A Shadow on Me - New song that is also first single. Eery guitar riff drives the song to the chorus where Andrew screams the lyrics as the guitarist sings them. Another incredible song that feels desperate yet confident at the same time.
Safe Haven - An anamoly for Project, a clean guitar riff opens the song with a somewhat polyrythmic sounding drum pattern soon joining. The song soon explodes as Andrew screams "nobody knows, nobody cares!" Great lyrics on this one
Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy - Another clean guitar riff starts out the album with a somewhat laidback jazzy feel. The song is a different style for Project and takes some time to get used to. I think I have heard the guitar line for this song on MTV's Pimp my ride.
Breakdown in 3/4 - Another new song and one that upon few listens has promise to be an essential Project song. It mixes loud and soft very well and pushes to its climatic end. The lyrics are very ironic about how "obsolete" the singer has become but also has a threatening tone of righting the wrongs.
The Great Golden Gate Disaster - This one could have been pulled off of "Drawing Black Lines" easily. Very fast paced and aggresive. This song does not relent til the end. The combination of the music and lyrics make this a very anger inducing song.
Breakneck Speed - Pulsating bass line rotates with slow clean guitar riff. The bridge to this song is another step for project as it uses Linkin Park type voice editing on his scream. The end lyrics to this song are very powerful in their irony "I wish that this could have been so very different for us, I wish that you could have been my everything, so sorry, so long, its been so real"
Sioux Lane Spirits - Very haunting eery song dealing with a seemingly dysfuntional father/daughter relationship with very poignant lyrics that some I'm sure will find over the top.
Circuitry - Very interesting song, not my favorite by far but still an interesting piece. Controversial almost sexual lyrics on top of a almost machine sounding guitar riff.
3 Card - This song soudns very much like a hardcore punk/thrash song with unintelligible lyrics. Not too impressed with this but I'm not much of a punk fan.
A Fruitless End Ever - Alas one of the greatest trios (or duos) of songs begins. The ominous base line soon gives way to the imposing chorus as Andrew threatens "You cannot hide now, We'll find you somehow". Obviously a message to a abusive authority, this song pounds its message out and sets the stage for the finale of the so-called Truthless Heroes.
A Text Message to the So-Called Emperor - Spoken word track detailing all the crimes of the "emperor" and describing how he will be taken down for all his injustice. The songs creepy sounds fade out to the beginning of...
Solace - Possibly one of the best Project songs written and an obvious choice to end the Truthless Heroes saga on the CD. A single guitar plucks out the simple yet threatening main riff as Andrew inaudibly speaks through the verses. The chorus is somewhat hard to get used to as it doesn't explode as much as anticipated, but it serves its purpose in increasing tension. The song really starts to pick up at the bridge, and then Andrew starts telling of his oppenents demise at the very end and on the final measures the band clicks together very satisfyingly. As the song ends you feel like you were part of the uprising and that the goal has been accomplished. I know that is corny but it is hard to describe the emotions evoked by this song.
Overall this CD is an incredible mind and emotion trip and should be added to any music fan who enjoys progressive, hard, thoughtful, or emotional music.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My gift to you...these words, January 30, 2005
While...Im not going to lie, Im a huge project fan, and would probably tell you to buy anything they sell. However objectively I would have to say this is them at their very best, and by far one of the best CD's I own. Best of all it's a concept album, much like NIN-downward spiral, where the whole albums follows a specific character, albeit nameless. Songs like the album's climax "Solace" carry such raw emotion in the sounds of the vocals. You can hear the frontman's soul bleed as he cracks his voice.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this album; As it will stay in regular rotation in your CD player for decades, if not years.
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