Review Summary: short, but enjoyable.
Musically speaking,
Short Songs is better than I anticipated. The first eleven songs are Silverstein originals that showcase the band as solid as ever, playing to their strengths, and making compelling songs despite their short running times. One can't help wishing they would expand upon some of the better tracks, but what they have here is solid Silverstein affair. Not to mention Shane's excellent vocal performance, with a stronger penchant for screams this time, yet his cleans are as proficient as always. The album can't help feeling like the tantalizer it is, but as a result,
Short Songs is truly mouth-watering.
In terms of effective short songs, the second half of the album is better, but the first half will certainly please Silverstein fans. However, when the second half comes around, you're in for a treat. Silverstein chose great punk/hardcore songs to cover, and they play them par excellence; the songs they cover are from bands that have influenced them, and their evident passion translates into energetic, fiery performances. Considering how solid the eleven cover songs are, it's a shame that Silverstein haven't made an album completely dedicated to cover songs yet, but this will certainly do. Indeed, this is one solid album.
Now hold on a second, this album may be great, but there's one major problem with it. Short songs can be great for a random laugh or a quick snack, but therein lies the problem. Twenty two short songs in a row (with the longest one being 1:36) equals a hurricane listening experience, a complete blur. Just as you begin to like a track it abruptly ends, leaving you stunned and confused with no time to recover. Trying this album requires a cool detachment, and I would recommend listening to it disjointedly as opposed to sitting through the entire thing. Expectedly, the album works great as a collection of songs, but as a cohesive whole, not so much.
Ultimately, if all you want is short songs, you will undoutedly leave happy.
Short Songs completely delivers on its premise - there are songs, and they are all short. What's not to like?
