I am not going to say that "The Fire" is a bad album. What I am going to say though is that I was disappointed with it. Me, being a fan of "Life Is Not A Waiting Room", felt that the album lacked any kind of diversity. I sat there and I listened to it on my iPod and the only way that I could really tell that there was a song change was during the two second pause between the tracks. Harking back to "Still Searching" and "LINAWR", I enjoyed the template of opening the album with a slow anthem and then getting an earful with the second track. That aside, I looked past this change and began listening to "The Fire", the first track on the album. I enjoy the lyrics and the opening guitar. But then reaching the chorus, I started to notice that Buddy sounds extremely drowned out. I feel on this album there was an unbalance of the instruments and vocals. Maybe it's just me, but, maybe they are finally heeding all the bad reviews about his voice. Me, I love his lyrics and their cleverness and the way I can relate to them. So, I am not that worried about the way that the mans voice sounds. But to move on.
Next track, "Saint Anthony". Love this song. I like the poppy sound and the guitars are good. I'll leave it at that for this one. Hell, I'll say the same for "New Year's Eve".
Now we move on the "Safe House". Nice little 5 seconds of the opening guitar and then it jumps into the nonsensical barrage of instruments that I can hardly make out. Same for the "Coward".
Alrite here we go, "Landslide". Nice opening and a smooth ride for 40 seconds. Then the chorus starts and I am fairly pleased with the lyrics. I'll leave this one alone as well.
Ok, "Headed West". Just seems like more power chords and drums. And I'm sure there is bass, but I can't hear it. Wow, skip button and it seems the same formula for "Lifeboats".
Now for my favorite song on this album, with "Nero". This song reminds me so much of earlier ones like "Lost and Found" and "Yellow Angels". Two of my favorites.
Now we hear "Irish Eyes". Seems like the same stuff as the other HALF of the album. Disappointing way to go after the slow "Nero". And finally the album comes to a close with "Hold On". Another one of my favorites. Although, I don't think that is holds the closing power like "The Priest and The Matador" or "Blackout".
Lyrically, Senses Fail still holds the Olympic torch in my eyes. I just love the way that Buddy comes up with words that can express such deep thoughts and feelings. I just don't think that was enough to save this album for me.I guess that I just feel that this album is more mainstream conscious than the accused and harped upon "LINAWR". I enjoy Senses Fail and would never lose respect for them for creating an album for us fans to hear. I just wish that it varied more and built upon the template that "Still Searching" and "LINAWR" was known for.
