The City Sleeps in Flames

Scary Kids Scaring Kids

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2005)
• Original Release Date: June 28, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Immortal
• ASIN: B0009OUAPC
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,844 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. The City Sleeps in Flames

2. The Only Medicine

3. The World As We Know It

4. What's Said Is Done

5. Just A Taste

6. My Darkest Hour

7. Drowning You in Fear

8. The Bright Side of Suffering

9. Empty Glasses

10. Faith in the Knife

11. A Breath of Sunshine

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

While most young, upstart acts launch with a mission in emulating their favorite bands, the members of Scary Kids Scaring Kids — who were juniors in high school when the band formed four years ago — already had their sights set higher: they wanted to create music that was largely outside of the predictable norm from the onset.

"We wanted to start something new," says drummer Peter Costa. "Something harder, not just your typical fast punk."

It’s that quest for originality and innovation that lead the Phoenix-area six-piece through a musical journey. Their latest stop on the route: the band’s Immortal Records full-length debut, The City Sleeps In Flames.

Product Description

With The City Sleeps In Flames, Scary Kids Scaring Kids aimed for individuality amongst their tracks, and they nailed it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Better Band out there., July 16, 2005

By	JO (USA) - See all my reviews

The ONLY way to rate this band is to simply listen to the songs. There is really no way to describe what they do - People who have tried just seem to come out sounding silly - "Best emocore in the genre" or even sillier "There is no emocore genre" - "No use for 3 guitars?" - Whatever... (I counted 2 guitars, a base, drums and a keyboard - but what do I know and why would we care?)- I guess this is why the kids have made all of their songs available for free listening before you buy on-line -

If there were a genre for this type of music - I would have said that it's not my genre - I don't particulary like punk or screamo or emo - or 'emocore' - But, there is just something about this band that has me listening again and again - I have found them so facinating that I started searching the reviews to see if someone could explain it for me - I found two quotes that kind of come close - One "This band makes the listener yearn for the apocalypse - So long as they are providing the sound track" I don't know if I am yearning for the apocalypse - I just kind of like that quote -

The other is probably closer to how I feel - goes something like "This isn't my genre - I shouldn't like this music - So why am I still listening to it? - Because, they are more infectious than Ebola!" -

My advice - take a listen - If you like - buy - Check out their live shows - They are truely INTENSE on-stage - Now (Summer 2005) - they are playing throughout the US and Canada on Warped Tour with many venues in between - I hear that they will be playing in the UK next fall or so.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not complete garbage but not worth the money, July 27, 2006

By	Parker "Parker has spoken" (Boredomville missouri!) - See all my reviews

Just to clear up a few descrepancies, this band is not emo and no, "emo" does not JUST mean "emotional" in terms of music. If "emo" meant "emotional music" then everything from Jewel to Luther Vandross to Barry White would be "emo". The term was coined in the late 80s and means "emotive hardcore". but regardless, this band is not emo. And please don't compare this band to Chiodos just for the simple fact that both bands have a keyboard player. That is their only similarity and comparing them just isn't fair.

Even I'll admit that when I first heard this band I liked them. I enjoyed their simple style and catchy keyboards. But the more I listened to them, the more I came in touch with the actual value and quality of these songs. What bothers me most is the lyrics. Lyrically, this band is defintely below-average. They are so full of immature teen angst that they make me believe he wrote these songs when he was a scrawny, pubescent 13 yr old. There is absolutely no depth so if you are a lyrics person than this band is NOT for you. The second thing is the guitars. This band produces the same cheesy riffs as any other band out there. Infact, the riff at the very beginning of "The Only Medicine" sounds exactly like something Avenged Sevenfold put out a couple years back! Again, it's their lack of creativity and originality that makes this band only a few steps away from being the next Good Charlotte or Limp Bizkit (creatively-wise. I'm not actually comparing the bands) Basically, if you are into really good THOUGHTFUL music the only reason why you'd keep listening is because its "catchy". But before you grab your wallet and run out to get this CD rememeber that "catchy" isn't always a good thing. After the first couple times of listening to this CD you are bored to death because the songs have become so predictable.

Bottom line = If you are wanting some really good creative music with a lot of originality and lyrics that aren't almost humorous, then use your money to buy something good like "Translating the Name" by Saosin, or "All's Well That Ends Well" by Chiodos or "Juturna" by Circa Survive. Granted those bands don't have much in common with Scary Kids, but trust me, that is a good thing.

But, if you are just looking for some cathy music that requires no active brain use to comprehend, or looking for something to play in the background of a party then pick up this CD used for like 6.99 or 7.99. Or just download it for free at [...] That would be your best bet instead of wasting your money.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Give Them A Chance, August 25, 2005

By	Chris - See all my reviews

As with others, I was originally drawn to this band via their name. I purchased this CD, and I must admit I was impressed. I really really enjoyed this CD. However, I also admit I am a fan of emocore/powerpop/screamo, so if you dislike that genre and style, you will probably dislike this CD. They follow the standard emocore fare (similar to Thrice, From Autumn to Ashes, Silverstien, etc) with some surprises thrown in. They have sinth keyboard player which, IMHO, brings a really pleasant new element to the sound of the band. The songs range from fast and filled with screaming, to slow and more 'emo' with no screaming at all. Similar to acts mentioned above, the vocalist will switch from screaming to singing several times in certain songs. As far as the clean 'emo' voice, I really think it is one of the better ones out there. Its not winey and raspy like Saves the Day or the FATA singer. Many of the songs have some interesting swedish metal guitar riffs, which I find to be fun and really add to the whole bands sound.

For me the standout tracks are:
1. The Only Medicine
2. The City Sleeps in Flames
3. Bright Side of Suffering
4. My darkest hour

On the minus side, some of the slower songs tend drag and the disctinctions between them become blurred, as some sound very similar.

Overall, if you like emocore/screamo you will most likely enjoy this cd. If you can't stand that genre, then stay away.