Saosin - In Search Of Solid Ground
Rating
RIYL
Secret And WhisperThe Used
Chiodos
Release Date
09/09/2009
Label
Virgin RecordsTracklist
1. I Keep My Secrets Safe2. Deep Down
3. Why Can’t You See
4. Changing
5. On My Own
6. The Alarming Sound Of A Still Small Voice
7. Say Goodbye
8. The Worst Of Me
9. It’s All Over Now
10. What Were We Made For?
11. Is This Real
12. Nothing Is What It Seems (Without You)
13. Fireflies (Light Messengers)
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On their Self Titled album, Saosin was already pulling away from the raucous screamo of the Anthony Green days. It was successful, though; fans were drawn to the surprising intensity the radio rock/post-hardcore group could channel. Hits like “Bury Your Head” seared up the charts, and Saosin’s popularity skyrocketed. They seemed and sounded unstoppable. They were destined for lifelong prosperity, they were the average scene kid’s infallible hero, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
And now? Nothing. Outwitted by the sophomore slump. This album, appropriately titled In Search Of Solid Ground, is an acerbic aftertaste of their debut from 3 years ago. In fact, it’s several years behind the level of Self Titled, accomplishing regression like few other follow-up albums this year have. There are four, maybe five similarly charged tracks that can squeeze themselves into the same tier as the best of their predecessor. The rest? Sorry-sounding B-sides, waiting for their mediocre frames to be demolished by critics.
“I Keep My Secrets Safe,” “Deep Down,” “On My Own,” “Changing” and “Is This Real?” will just about satisfy anybody who didn’t get enough of the first album, and those are the cream of the crop. They sound potent and busty, but pretty much nothing has changed. The guitars still sound massive when they change noisily from power chord to power chord, Cove Reber’s vocals still sound amazingly dynamic despite what he’s proved them to be live, and slave-Cove still echos nicely the most electric parts of the choruses. What has changed is a tragic downsizing of drummer Alex Rodriguez’s significance. Say goodbye to the thundering drum fills that helped Saosin stand out in the first place – they’re not so important here.
The rest of the album reeks of rancid blandness. “It’s All Over Now” and “What Were We Made For?” are incompetent attempts at pop-punk, and closer “Fireflies” makes an effective musical sedative by droning on for eight minutes trying to appear epic. Any unmentioned songs are best left unmentioned; they’re audio manifestations of Saosin asking, “Do we have to write more songs? Well, fine… if you say so.”
The lyrics are supposed to concern relationships, but they sound infinitely more introspective regarding the music. Whether Reber is wailing, “You should have never come here / I know you’re making a mistake,” “Is it real, the changes we make? / The smiles that we fake?” or “I never thought I’d let you down… / Will I ever feel my limbs again?… / Will I ever feel that way again?” it’s hard to shake the feeling he’s talking about their music – the lack of even a modicum of evolution, the seeming absence of vision, and the all around disillusionment with what made Saosin Saosin. In Search Of Solid Ground is really everything a band wants and needs to avoid to retain credibility. Let’s just hope they realize this when they close “On My Own” with a desperate, “Open your eyes.”
--Matthew Tsai
Comments
Minnesota
Pretty much my exact thoughts on the album. Such a HUGE letdown.
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Dubuque
I didn't think it was a terrible album, but nothing above a 3 for me. I think the album had some standout tracks such as "Is This Real", "On My Own", and "Keep My Secrets Safe", but other than that it didn't really stand on its own.
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Atascadero, CA
won't be revisiting this album very much if at all.
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San Borja, Lima, Perú
I never really found out why people were all over their self titled... i mean... it was the same emptyness that's in here. Maybe it could be more bearable if this same band haven't recorded that first ep with different people.
Green Brook, NJ
i loved self-titled. i enjoy this a lot. i think people are being too harsh when it comes to it. it's pretty much the same exact record as s/t and i don't see how anyone who liked s/t can dislike this.
Dubuque
I definitely agree about this not being that much different than the S/T, but I think the S/T had more memorable songs than this one.
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West Haven, CT
Shitty bands make shitty music.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Minnesota
It's similar to S/T in musical form, but this album feels so much more lifeless and empty. Like the band simply didn't give a shit.
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Minneapolis, MN
Tuning into this thread late, but I can see now there was really nothing to see here in the first place.
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Milpitas, CA
biggest disappointment of the year.
Colorado
Well 2/3 of the album is awesome, the other 1/3 is not good at all sadly. My favorite song isn't really on the cd; came with the pre-order. Overall I do enjoy the album, just not near as much as their ST'ed and Translating The Name.
Dubuque
As much as I don't read Alternative Press, Scott Heisel's review for their record is spot on. If you get AP, make sure you read it.
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Minnesota
I completely agree. Usually their reviews are a third suck, a third sucking up, and a third spot on. The Saosin one was actually one that was spot on.
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Cincinnati
I like to get cd's when they are mass cheaper which often times puts me several months behind getting some titles.
I finally got this disc and just thought I'd put my two cents in. First listen through thought it was 2nd record all over, but listened to
it again, and then again, and then probably 9-10 times this week and I love it. I actually prefer it over their older stuff, although the drums
on their 2nd were far superior. At the moment, I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Think it's cool they stuck to their formula.
Minnesota
Really, reispa? As time's gone on, I've found this album to be even worse than I initially thought.
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Cincinnati
Yeah....I'm diggin it. What's so awful about it? Just seems to be a lot of hate for them around here. I think it's time to
accept that Green is gone on vox and not coming back. That's everyone's reasoning for disowning this band.
Just sayin....some songs I hear Dead Poetic, some Thrice....it's great.
Minnesota
I actually don't mind Cove's performance on their self titled disc. Live, however, he's atrocious. On this album the whole band seemed less inspired and it was like they were ripping themselves off and half-assing it. I still really enjoy their self titled album, but there's not a song on this entire album that sticks with me.
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Cincinnati
Fair enough...
I guess that's the beauty of modern day recording software and studios...it can make anyone's voice sound good.
As for staying power...I think I'll end up spinning "Changing" and "It's all over now" for some time to come.