Review Summary: They wanted to know what we Feel, and it is disappointment.
After a solid debut release and a improved sophomore release, Sleeping With Sirens broke out in the mainstream and quickly became quite the popular band. With a career that they had lined up, mainly because of teenage sensation Kellin Bostwick, the 3rd release was would could ultimately define Sleeping With Sirens in the scene, however fame has taken over their minds and we are left with Feel.
The album starts out with of course title track Feel, and from the start, this is apparent that it will turn into an emotional album. Kellin has never sounded better not only with his high pitched voice, but for the emotion that backs his vocals. The lyrics are pretty normal for this band, and the slower instruments is something new, but it doesn't seem to very gracefully. Here We Go is somewhat of a return to the previous albums from this band, however it is quite watered down minus the vocals. The hook for this song is actually enjoyable, and the theme of the song is pretty strong, but the repeating instruments and lack of any creativity in the song causes it to slack quite suddenly. Free Now follows Here We Go, and on a personal level this is probably my favorite track on the album. The lyrics are very personal to Kellin, talking about how he is where he is because it was always his dream, and how everything he does now is for his daughter. Alone features rapper MGK and while the drums are pretty strong, the song is a fall from grace, with no change from the usual break up lyrics this band has commonly been known for. MGK's guest spot is very forced, and he sounds as arrogant as he usually does, taking away the emotion this band wanted people to feel. Kellin's rapping side is also apparent in this song, and while it isn't terrible it isn't something that this band can successfully pull off.
The second half of the album is the return to the roots sense, as listening to tracks like These Things I've Done and I'll Take You There sound like the slower side of Let's Cheer To This. The slower take on this album is actually well refined in I'll Take You There, with Kellin filling the song with a powerful voice, and Shayley delivering his usual vocals. The Best There Ever Was is arguably the worst track on this effort, and while the riff in the song is cool Kellin trying to sound angry and tough just doesn't feel right with the softer voice he has. The instruments are over repetitive and the guest vocal spot from Fronz in this song is completely useless, as it is only for a few seconds and it feels as if it was rushed. Leading single Low follows, and this song is pretty much what the album should have kept sounding like. The lyrics are very powerful, the instruments flawlessly grove together, and Kellin's questioning style in the beginning of the song is actually enjoyable. The band put their all into this one track, and Kellin's voice that sounds almost torn in a sense pushes the song's theme into effect. These Thing's I've Done is the track that most people will probably stick to this album for. It's essentially Sleeping With Sirens doing what they do best, pushing out Pop-Rock and doing it to an almost hardcore level. Satellites is what closes the album, and ends it strong. The song is a ballad and it almost sounds like their acoustic EP which is a very nice return. Kellin's voice fills the song with a melody that is not only hypnotizing, but strong enough to almost bring a tear to the eye.
Feel is the album that this band could have worked just a bit harder on, and it would have been a great addition to the discography. A few standout tracks here and there, but this album has failed to bring a powerful enough mark in Kellin and the boys' career
