Review Summary: The wait was worth it as Saosin balance the old & new with a more melodic brand of post-hardcore rock resulting in a solid and very consistent album.
To suggest that this debut full-length album was a longtime coming is an understatement. Coming off the back of 2 teaser EPs, there was a sense of anticipation surrounding this release which had most fans salivating with anticpation. Of course, it did not help matters when distinctive vocalist Anthony Green left the band between EP's citing home-sickness. But even still, the delay in release of this album almost conjured up memories of Def Leppard's 'Hysteria'!
Cove Reber takes on the vocal duties here (as he did on the self-titled EP) and he does a very good job of bringing his own strengths to the table while occasionally channeling Green to good effect. Still intact, the remainder of the band adjust fittingly and while the technicality and complexity of their musicianship still very much exists, it is toned down a little. This results in more of a melodic brand of post-hardcore rock that cynics would suggest too similarly sounds like many emo rock bands on the scene. To me though, it is a successful and satisfying balance.
This can be shown as we are welcomed with 3rd single 'It's Far Better to Learn', where proof still exists that Saosin undoubtedly know what to do with guitars and drums. They are both very impressive on this satisfying opener and topping it all off is a much-improved melody and a relatively catchy chorus which has arguably been a weakness of the band in the past. The choruses are definitely better on this album as track 3 'It's So Simple' also proves.
Possibly the main strength of this album as a whole is it's consistency. Basically, none of the 12 tracks included are weak and there is very little in the way of filler, with only late-album efforts 'Collapse' and 'Some Sense of Security' even approaching that classification. The album may in fact be too even for some with variation coming in subtle forms rather than being strikingly obvious. For this reason, it is actually quite difficult to choose standout cuts.
One song that does stand out is the penultimate track 'Bury Your Head', which has actually been carried over and touched up from their self-titled EP (along with 'Sleepers' and the vocally impressive ballad 'I Never Wanted To'). Previously released as a single, 'Bury Your Head' is logically a very good bridge between the band's earlier style and their current one. Effective gang backing vocals complement excellent musicianship and multiple hooks to make for an all-around impressive song.
Speaking of the band's earlier style, track 6 'Follow and Feel' is practically a shout-out to it from both a musical and vocal standpoint. Reber's voice comes closest to Green's here in a thoroughly involving track which almost contradictorily shows how the band have advanced. Meanwhile, the fantastic drum-work in 'Sleepers' as well as certain parts of the Jekyll & Hyde track 'Come Close' also result in a little bit of deja-vu, but in a positive manner.
This leaves only the first 2 singles to comment on. These are probably the barometers of the album to a large extent as cynics will suggest they stray too far away from who Saosin are as musicians. However, it not only cannot be ignored that the band have progressed over the years, but also that both 'Voices' and 'You're Not Alone' are quality tracks. There is nothing necessarily wrong about having accessible vocals at the forefront of a song (which is clearly a fact here) and those who are willing to delve a little deeper will still hear impressive musicianship lurking in the background. The latter track is an especially effective ballad which includes superior harmonies and is well written and produced to hopefully result in Saosin growing their audience.
Overall, the wait was indeed worth it as Saosin have produced a solid and very consistent album of quality tracks here with their debut full-length release. If anything, the album is at best in the moment and there is a slight lack of memorability which will have you coming back over and over again. But I suppose how this album dates wil be seen in the years to come. For now, it is a satisfying balance of the old and the new which shows the progression of a quality band that is full of potential.
Recommended Tracks: You're Not Alone, Bury Your Head, Voices & Follow and Feel.
