Review Summary: Underoath's 3rd album, and first full length delivers some of the best material made by the band.
After reading the other review of this album on the site, I felt that this album is misrepresented. So this is my review of Underoath’s The Changing of Times.
At the time the band consisted of:
Chris Dudley – keyboards
Octavio Fernandez – guitar
Aaron Gillespie – drums, vocals
Tim McTague – guitar
Billy Nottke – bass
Dallas Taylor – lead vocals
This album was released on February 26, 2002.
This review may be a tad biased, but I have listened to this album hundreds of times, so i will just try to give my full opinion on everything on this album.
The album starts out with the amazing
When The Sun Sleeps. Featuring the most vocals by Aaron on the album, it’s probably the most catchy and I can see why they choose it as a single. This song, along with the whole album, has never gotten old after hundreds and hundreds of listens. This song really helped me through some hard times I was having. I think the lyrics can really touch anyone who has been in love. This whole album’s lyrics are pretty much about relationships, and while it may sounds somewhat stereotypical, the lyrics on this album really surpass almost any on any other album. I really love Dallas Taylor’s writing.
Next up is the short
Letting Go Of Tonight. I think this song is generally overlooked because of its length, but I really love this song. The guitar in this song really make it great to me. Although they are pretty much only barre chords and octaves, it is still really fun to listen to.
After that is
A Message For Adrienne. Which has some of my favorite lyrics on the album. Here's a link: http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/underoath/thechangingoftimes.html#3
That link has all the lyrics to the full album also. This song is one of the heaviest on the album, if not the heaviest. Very enjoyable song.
Then comes my favorite song
Never Meant To Break Your Heart. Which is crazy good, and i see it as the perfect song from Underoath. Only three songs by Underoath are this good in my eyes. They are: Heart of Stone, The Last and this. The lyrics are wonderful, the guitar is awesome, the drums are full of energy. Unfortunately you can’t hear the bass very well.
Up next is
Changing Of Times. This song starts out softer, and ends up just as hard as every other track on the album. It has a little singing from Aaron on it again, so it mixes things up a bit. I used to hate this song because of the intro when i first got this cd, but now its one of my favorite songs on the cd. Good for fans of
When The Sun Sleeps.
Next is what got me to buy this cd.
Angel Below is a song that is very fast paced and fun to listen to. My friend who hates screaming music even loves this song after my other friend blasted it in his car for him. This song has so many catchy little riffs, that the whole song is just amazing. Awesome song, but may take some getting used to.
Then Comes
Best Of Me Which Starts off with a drum machine and bursts into motion with a scream from Dallas. It has some nice riffs going, pretty fast paced and awesome to play air drums to. Well actually this whole album is awesome to play air drums to. This song leads straight into
Short of Daybreak and the title fits it well. It feels very inspiring, and sincere. Both are sweet songs, that could almost be one longer one.
Now comes the last real song of the album
Alone In December which is an extremely sad song. The lyrics really could make you cry. Its truly a great song and feels yet again very inspiring and sincere. Its slower, but still has a lot of power. Dallas speaks a lot of the words in the song giving it a feel as though he is writing a letter. A great song.
Next is
814 Steps Today which is just a filler track/album closer.
Overall this album is very genuine, sincere, and honest. I think everyone should give this a try if you like heavy music, regardless of what you think of present day Underoath. This is one of my favorite albums that I own.
When The Sun Sleeps 5/5
Letting Go of Tonight 4/5
A Message For Adrienne 5/5
Never Meant to Break Your Heart 5/5
Changing of Times 5/5
Angel Below 5/5
Best of Me 4.5/5
Short of Daybreak 5/5
Alone in December 5/5
812 Steps Today 3/5
Pros
-Great mix of songs that songs that stick to the overall feel of the album.
-No bad songs
-My favorite Underoath album
-The instruments are all very well played
-Aaron doesn’t seem to take the leading roll
-Has never gotten old to me
-The lyrics are awesome
-Fun to sing along and play air drums to :)
-DALLAS TAYLOR!!!
Cons
-Can’t hear bass too well.
-I wish it was longer
CHECK THIS OUT!!
This CD gets a 5/5 from me
