The Spill Canvas - No Really, I'm Fine

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RIYL

Saves the Day
Dashboard Confessional
The Format

Tracklist

1. Reckless Abandonment Listen Listen
2. All Over You
3. Battles
4. The Truth
5. Saved
6. Hush Hush
7. Low Fidelity
8. Connect the Dots
9. Bleed, Everyone's Doing It
10. Appreciation And the Bomb
11. One Thing Is For Sure
12. Lullaby

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“I’m not concerned with pleasing all those little pricks and all their little scenes,” squawks singer Nick Thomas on “Reckless Abandon,” the first track on The Spill Canvas’ insignificant new album, No Really, I’m Fine. Clearly, biting the hand that feeds is in now-a-days, but it seems odd that a band like The Spill Canvas would follow this trend. The only thing about their album that seems vaguely rebellious or discontent with the “scene” is that line, while the rest of the album is just a by the books emo-pop parade. One would think at some point the band would just accept their place instead of railing against it in vain, but that wouldn’t be cool, would it?

The album does not try anything different from its predecessor, One Fell Swoop. It is once again a collection of emotionally charged pop songs, with lyrics reveling in pity (“We are everything we hate / but we have everything we need”) and masochism (“It’s like 1000 paper cuts / soaked in vinegar”). The album is not without its humor though, whether it is intentional or not is up for debate, but it’s hard not to laugh at the faux-80s metal riff that begins “Bleed, Everyone’s Doing It,” or the line “Forget what I said / you’re only good in bed / or on your knees” from “The Truth.”

But aside from these ear catching moments, the CD is pretty bland. The Spill Canvas excels in writing the same song about 10 times and calling it an album. Sure, once they “mix things up” with a slow song (“Connect the Dots”), but aside from that it’s the same punchy, emo song over and over and over again. The best being “All Over You,” which strikes a balance between the burgeoning pop sensibility of the band, with the dark undertones. It serves as the only true highlight of the album. The rest is expendable.

No Really, I’m Fine is by no means atrocious, it’s just not very good. The Spill Canvas sound like they've let a major label mold them in order to capitalize on the success of emo, and in doing so, they’ve removed the heart and soul of the music, making it sound lifeless and generic. This takes away any credibility the band would hope to have, causing the lyrics to sound hyperbolic rather than poetic. The Spill Canvas is not producing a rare commodity here. There are plenty of other bands doing the same thing, only better. Save yourself the boredom and look elsewhere for your emo-rock fix.

--Matt McGraw

Author

Matt.McGraw
Last updated: 09/29/2009 08:59PM

Comments

tim
11/20/2007
09:04AM
Age: 28
Location
Green Brook, NJ
i like the first 4 songs on this album are good but i can never get past that point.
Chris Conlan
11/20/2007
09:32AM
Age: 27
Location
Dubuque
Did not enjoy.

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GodzillaVsSinatra
11/20/2007
11:01AM
Location
Atlanta
A couple of tracks are decent at best.
JohnnyL
11/20/2007
01:55PM
Age: 30
Location
Columbus, Ohio
I really like this album. Maybe top ten of the year.

Recommending: Anberlin, Interpol, Chamberlain, House of Heroes

LiquidHeaven
11/21/2007
11:08AM
Location
SL, UT
Not that familiar with it but that was not a very well written piece.

Try reading a real publication like mojo or paste and you will see what I mean.

Trollin' with my homies.

Joanne Vitale
11/27/2007
12:38AM
Location
Vegas!
i couldnt get into this album at first, but it grew on me. In my top 10 for the year for sure.