Craig Owens - Με την αγάπη (With Love)

[Thomas Nassiff]

Craig Owens - Με την αγάπη (With Love)
Record Label: Equal Vision Records
Release Date: September 15, 2009

Who?

Craig Owens is the former lead singer and frontman of hardcore/emo act Chiodos and current lead singer and frontman of Cinematic Sunrise. As lead singer for Chiodos, Owens made strides vocally between his beginnings with the band as the Chiodos Bros. and their most recent efforts, Bone Palace Ballet and Bone Palace Ballet: The Grand Coda. While receiving a lot of criticism in the scene, Owens delighted Chiodos fans with his unique mixture of high pitched singing and bloodcurling screams. At first his side project, but now presumably his main focus, Cinematic Sunrise focuses on pop melodies in which Owens' vocal strength was again present.

How Is It?

The vocals that delighted those old Chiodos fans are not to be found on this EP. As a personal choice, one that no critic can fault, for it is Owens' decision what music he chooses to write, he has decided to take a softer approach to writing on his solo endeavor. Gone are all traces of screams and present is a new voice from Owens which we aren't as familiar with. The first track off With Love, "Cardigans and Swing Sets", starts with Owens' voice a barely audible whisper, and the whole two minute, eighteen second track passes without leaving a real impression on the listener. First single "Products of Poverty", featuring Stephen Christian from Anberlin, will be adored by Cinematic Sunrise fans as Owens' voice returns strongly, and Christian's voice is surprisingly complementary. "My Love" and "Big Apple Big Heart" are two tracks that don't quite sit well with the listener. They feel somewhat dragged on and a bit corny, although the latter features a nice, lengthy instrumental outro. "A Poem by Adam Wolfson" splits those two songs in an appreciated short break with humorous lyrics. Next up is "All Based on a Storyline", perhaps the best track on this less-than-stellar EP. It sounds like a slower B-side off CinSun's first release, A Long Playing Record and Coloring Storybook, and should leave fans of Owens' poppier side with a good vibe. Closer "First One, I Love You So Much More" ends With Love with an overdose of mushy love lyrics. Owens is clearly in love with his girlfriend, Joanna, and listening to this track makes me feel as exuberantly happy for him in his personal life as it does happy that the EP has ended.

Being a huge fan of both Chiodos and Cinematic Sunrise, I was disappointed with this effort from Owens. I'm hardly the typical Craig Owens hater found on the site and I respect what he has done with With Love, but it's just a major step down from his previous works. You can't fault a man for writing what is on his mind and what he feels in his heart, which Owens clearly does in writing about his strong love, but the fact remains that this EP leaves something to be desired both musically and lyrically. The one saving grace is that Owens' voice is indeed truly refreshing at times, and it makes it worth downloading the two "standout" songs. While you can't feel happier for a guy so truly in love, you can skip this record and hope for more Cinematic Sunrise in the near future.

Jonny Craig - A Dream is A Question You Don't Know How to Answer, acoustic-y stuff, Cinematic Sunrise (I guess)

"Products of Poverty", "All Based on A Storyline"


1. Cardigans and Swing Sets
2. Products of Poverty
3. My Love
4. A Poem By Adam Wolfson
5. Big Apple Big Heart
6. All Based on A Storyline
7. First One, I Love You So Much More
Produced By: Craig Owens and Matt Dalton, Running Time: 21 minutes, 32 seconds
myspace.com/craigeryowens (http://myspace.com/craigeryowens)

[Chris92]

1. Cinematic Sunrise no longer exists.
2. Chiodos=Hcore/Emo? Really?
3. Decent review...you give pretty good analysis, but it's somewhat repetitive.
4. This sentence is just awkward:
"Owens is clearly in love with his girlfriend, Joanna, and listening to this track makes me feel as exuberantly happy for him in his personal life as it does happy that the EP has ended."
5. Where could I purchase this?

[gr33ndayfr3ak]

I think that this had potential to be really, really good, and I agree that it was a pretty big let down. I don't think he utilized his great vocal abilities nearly as much as he should have and could have. Some of the lyrics are a bit questionable as well..'Products of Poverty' is a great song though.

[Smeee]

1. Cinematic Sunrise no longer exists.

Yes they do. They have shows planned in December.

2. Chiodos=Hcore/Emo? Really?

In terms of the current modern definition, yes they are. Originally "hardcore/emo" was used to describe a different style. But as with most genres, the style of bands it encompassed changed.

[Loveisa4lttrwrd]

The way this is written it seems as if you are reviewing a Cinematic Sunrise EP and not a Craig Owens solo EP.

[Thomas Nassiff]

1. Cinematic Sunrise no longer exists.
2. Chiodos=Hcore/Emo? Really?
3. Decent review...you give pretty good analysis, but it's somewhat repetitive.
4. This sentence is just awkward:
"Owens is clearly in love with his girlfriend, Joanna, and listening to this track makes me feel as exuberantly happy for him in his personal life as it does happy that the EP has ended."
5. Where could I purchase this?

1. when i wrote this review, if you look at the date, the news about cinsun hadnt been released.
2. how would you classify chiodos?
3.................................. ..................
4. i sat there for a while trying to look for decent wording there, actually. didnt come to me.
5. i bought it on the internet.

[Thomas Nassiff]

I think that this had potential to be really, really good, and I agree that it was a pretty big let down. I don't think he utilized his great vocal abilities nearly as much as he should have and could have. Some of the lyrics are a bit questionable as well..'Products of Poverty' is a great song though.

yeah, thats really the only one i listen to off of it. i think he just took the wrong approach on the album overall

[Thomas Nassiff]

The way this is written it seems as if you are reviewing a Cinematic Sunrise EP and not a Craig Owens solo EP.

"Craig Owens - Με την αγάπη (With Love) "

............

[Thomas Nassiff]

Yes they do. They have shows planned in December.

In terms of the current modern definition, yes they are. Originally "hardcore/emo" was used to describe a different style. But as with most genres, the style of bands it encompassed changed.

those are cinsun's last three shows, but thank you.

[Chris92]

1. when i wrote this review, if you look at the date, the news about cinsun hadnt been released.
2. how would you classify chiodos?
3.................................. ..................
4. i sat there for a while trying to look for decent wording there, actually. didnt come to me.
5. i bought it on the internet.
1. Fair enough.
2. Eh...after I posted that I realized that much as I didn't like your classification, I couldn't come up with a much better one...I slightly prefer post-hcore, but...
3.______________
4.______________
5. Thanks. Um...where?

[Thomas Nassiff]

1. Fair enough.
2. Eh...after I posted that I realized that much as I didn't like your classification, I couldn't come up with a much better one...I slightly prefer post-hcore, but...
3.______________
4.______________
5. Thanks. Um...where?

when i wrote my first draft, i had post-hardcore. but i dont like classifying chiodos with other bands who i believe subscrivbe to that genre more.

and http://new.merchnow.com/products/106651

[Chris92]

when i wrote my first draft, i had post-hardcore. but i dont like classifying chiodos with other bands who i believe subscrivbe to that genre more.

and http://new.merchnow.com/products/106651
Okay. Thanks for the link...think I'll pick this up to see for myself. The difference between emo/hcore and post-hcore is splitting hairs, so I'll leave it at that I guess...;-)

[Chris92]

when i wrote my first draft, i had post- . but i dont like classifying chiodos with other bands who i believe subscrivbe to that genre more.

and http://new.merchnow.com/products/106651
Also...I just looked on your profile and discovered you're a Springsteen fan, which makes anything you say valid imho. If you recognize that The Boss is at the top of the pile musically, then you've pretty much got the world figured out and I'll trust your opinion.
:clap:

[Loveisa4lttrwrd]

"Craig Owens - Με την αγάπη (With Love) "

............
I'm unsure how that rectifies the fact that the "Who?" section of your review makes it seem like you are writing about CinSun.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Okay. Thanks for the link...think I'll pick this up to see for myself. The difference between emo/hcore and post-hcore is splitting hairs, so I'll leave it at that I guess...;-)

i wouldnt buy it if i was you. just look for a download or something, its not worth the 10 bucks with shipping.

Also...I just looked on your profile and discovered you're a Springsteen fan, which makes anything you say valid imho. If you recognize that The Boss is at the top of the pile musically, then you've pretty much got the world figured out and I'll trust your opinion.
:clap:

lmao! glad to see another springsteen fan on the site. i definitely think he's one of the best songwriters of all time. i've seen him live seven times and every time, he plays some song that i had absolutely never even heard of that blows me away, and i always keep thinking that i have everything by him. i need to sit down one of these days and fill in all the holes lol.

[Thomas Nassiff]

I'm unsure how that rectifies the fact that the "Who?" section of your review makes it seem like you are writing about CinSun.

during the Who? section, i described craig owens. he is the former frontman of chiodos and at the time was frontman for cinsun. its customary to introduce individual artists by writing about their previous ventures in music.

[Chris92]

i wouldnt buy it if i was you. just look for a download or something, its not worth the 10 bucks with shipping.



lmao! glad to see another springsteen fan on the site. i definitely think he's one of the best songwriters of all time. i've seen him live seven times and every time, he plays some song that i had absolutely never even heard of that blows me away, and i always keep thinking that i have everything by him. i need to sit down one of these days and fill in all the holes lol.
Ok thanks...I'll pass the link on to my friend who has a minor Craig Owens obsession/mancrush though...

Yeah Springsteen is amazing...the Great American Songwriter imho. I was actually just rocking to some of his old live stuff on vinyl. I've only seen him twice, but it was a helluva a show each time.

Yeah... he has something ridiculous like twenty-seven albums not counting live ones and comps lol...also there are some songs he only plays live.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Ok thanks...I'll pass the link on to my friend who has a minor Craig Owens obsession/mancrush though...

Yeah Springsteen is amazing...the Great American Songwriter imho. I was actually just rocking to some of his old live stuff on vinyl. I've only seen him twice, but it was a helluva a show each time.

Yeah... he has something ridiculous like twenty-seven albums not counting live ones and comps lol...also there are some songs he only plays live.

i only have his born to run and greetings from asbury park on vinyl, but between me and my dad we have all the cds i think. and i believe its 16 studio albums....

greetings
the wild, the innocent, the e street shuffle
born to run (his best in my opinion)
darkness on the edge of town
the river
nebraska
born in the usa
tunnel of love
human touch
lucky town
the ghost of tom joad
the rising
devils and dust
seeger sessions
magic
working on a dream

and also live 75-85, mtv plugged, live in NYC, live in barcelona, hammersmith odeon '75, live in dublin....

the "tracks" album, greatest hits, the essential bruce springsteen, and the later greatest hits for walmart/europe tour.

thats incredible, i had to list it out lol.

and yeah i think a lot of those ones that he only plays live were on "tracks" or the essential....but everytime he pulls something out of his ass that amazes me

[Chris92]

i only have his born to run and greetings from asbury park on vinyl, but between me and my dad we have all the cds i think. and i believe its 16 studio albums....

greetings
the wild, the innocent, the e street shuffle
born to run (his best in my opinion)
darkness on the edge of town
the river
nebraska
born in the usa
tunnel of love
human touch
lucky town
the ghost of tom joad
the rising
devils and dust
seeger sessions
magic
working on a dream

and also live 75-85, mtv plugged, live in NYC, live in barcelona, hammersmith odeon '75, live in dublin....

the "tracks" album, greatest hits, the essential bruce springsteen, and the later greatest hits for walmart/europe tour.

thats incredible, i had to list it out lol.

and yeah i think a lot of those ones that he only plays live were on "tracks" or the essential....but everytime he pulls something out of his ass that amazes me
Yeah...he is without a doubt the most prolific artist who has managed to stay relevant. I mean, Working on a Dream was somewhat mediocre...but Magic holds its own with 95% of his earlier stuff.

I would say that Born in the USA is my favorite of his...followed closely by Born to Run, then Darkness, then Greetings, the Lucky Town, then The River, the Magic, then idk what...yeah my dad and I just go in half each on stuff like Springsteen now lol...I told him he could keep Working on a Dream if i could have his 75-85 live vinyl set...didn't buy it for some reason...

[tyramail]

i sadly agree with this review. i am still upset at how disappointing and underwhelming this release was.

[Thomas Nassiff]

Yeah...he is without a doubt the most prolific artist who has managed to stay relevant. I mean, Working on a Dream was somewhat mediocre...but Magic holds its own with 95% of his earlier stuff.

I would say that Born in the USA is my favorite of his...followed closely by Born to Run, then Darkness, then Greetings, the Lucky Town, then The River, the Magic, then idk what...yeah my dad and I just go in half each on stuff like Springsteen now lol...I told him he could keep Working on a Dream if i could have his 75-85 live vinyl set...didn't buy it for some reason...

lol jeez im pretty sure you got the better end of that trade. i thought working on a dream was really good, its just not his traditional old self. which is somewhat expected since he's getting older. im hoping that when they decide to wrap it up, theyll announce that its like a last tour. cause i would really go all out and try to see him a few times if i knew it was my last chance.

[Thomas Nassiff]

i sadly agree with this review. i am still upset at how disappointing and underwhelming this release was.

yeah i was pretty bummed. i pre-ordered it and everything. oh well.

[tyramail]

yeah i was pretty bummed. i pre-ordered it and everything. oh well.
same here. he had a lot of potential. i wonder if it was just rushed because of all of his other projects.

[Thomas Nassiff]

same here. he had a lot of potential. i wonder if it was just rushed because of all of his other projects.

i definitely dont think so. he took his time with it and it was actually a rather dragged out process.

[tyramail]

i definitely dont think so. he took his time with it and it was actually a rather dragged out process.
yeah? that's pretty sad then haha.

[Thomas Nassiff]

yeah? that's pretty sad then haha.

haha yeah. i wonder what he'll do next

[ChelseaRiane]

Biggest disappointment ever

[bjm1702]

Owens is clearly in love with his girlfriend, Joanna, and listening to this track makes me feel as exuberantly happy for him in his personal life as it does make me happy that the EP has ended.

Fixed

[thechetearly]

suuuuchhh an awful EP. ugh.

[dsmbrluv]

I love his voice! I really want to pick this up and listen to it.

[Thomas Nassiff]

I love his voice! I really want to pick this up and listen to it.
Better off downloading first then only buy it if you like it.

[ChelseaRiane]

I made the msitake of buying this. I only like 2 songs off of it

[DeviateRogue]

I loved this album, maybe I just now picked up and wasn't getting hyped up for the most amazing thing ever..

I love how he conveys his emotions. I give it a 9/10