Review: Saosin - Saosin

[Steve Henderson]

I have just posted my lengthy review (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=166717) for Saosin (http://www.myspace.com/saosin)'s self-titled debut. The album is out September 26th, 2006 through Capitol Records (http://www.capitolrecords.com/).

[spencersface]

Sweet <3

[Steve Henderson]

Sweet <3
Let the shitstorm begin!

[Steve Henderson]

Great review bro. I'm so excited to finally be able to hear this soon.
Thanks man...appreciate it.

[p, FRY]

so will this or Brand New be the most debated album of the year?

and great review btw.

[Chemical Love]

I guess I'm not into this band right now because of that fucking horrid EP, but I'm gonna give this album a chance. I've heard only good things about it.

[Steve Henderson]

I guess I'm not into this band right now because of that fucking horrid EP, but I'm gonna give this album a chance. I've heard only good things about it.
Dude, ignore that EP. It is nowhere near the level of this.

[spencersface]

Let the shitstorm begin!

lol hopefully there isn't a sequel to the battle we were involved in the other day. Not that we didn't kick ass :p

[reav]

Let the shitstorm begin!

seriously, though.

Your score doesn't make sense - not even remotely.
A sluggish Bury Your Head upon third delivery is almost inexcusable.

[Rith]

This review to got me stocked. I mean, Cove is great in his own right, but I've always missed Anthony somehow in Saosin. Although, I must say that the songs I've heard so far sound great.

[spencersface]

seriously, though.

Your score doesn't make sense - not even remotely.
A sluggish Bury Your Head upon third delivery is almost inexcusable.

If you read the interview with Saosin on ap.net, there's a part where they directly address this issue. They didn't want it on the record, the label persisted. What can you do. It's on the album, but I wouldn't judge the rest of the album negatively because of that one track-- the band didn't even want it on there. Besides, it's not even fresh material so I'd prefer to judge what's new on the CD and where they've gone with the music--how they've progressed--and what I get out of the entire CD.

If someone vomitted on Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, it'd be upsetting. But the rest of the painting would still be amazing. Luckily nobody vomitted on the rest of the CD, so just ignore that track and you'll be fine. Big deal.

(yeah that's a stupid comparison, but it made me laugh so you get to read it anyways bwahaha)

[Steve Henderson]

seriously, though.

Your score doesn't make sense - not even remotely.
A sluggish Bury Your Head upon third delivery is almost inexcusable.
It is bullshit only relatively so. BYH is still a good/great song on its own, and will be well-received by new fans. It is only disappointing to us veterans.

[reav]

You still mentioned about 3 mediocre tracks? :/
*confused*

Oh well, I'm still pumped for this.

[Steve Henderson]

You still mentioned about 3 mediocre tracks? :/
*confused*

Oh well, I'm still pumped for this.
I explained BYH above.

As for the other 2, they are hurt by lyrics and pacing more than anything else. I knocked the record a bit in lyrics, but as for the "tilt," I love the record so damn much that these 2 other tracks do little to the overall enjoyment. I do not skip them or anything, they are just not drop dead awesome like the rest of the record.

[turbonium]

Despite all the words in that review *chuckles*... it was a good review. I'm feeling a little hostile but I'm going to have to give the album a chance... since the way you described the album version of "Sleepers".

[YourMusicSucks]

Great review man, you have awesome taste in music and I can always trust your judgement.

I'm buying sleeping at last now, I've been meaning to for a while. :-D

[Steve Henderson]

Great review man, you have awesome taste in music and I can always trust your judgement.

I'm buying sleeping at last now, I've been meaning to for a while. :-D
Awesome man. I am sure a lot of people might disagree with my tastes/reviews/whatever, but at least people can give it a read and decide for themselves if it sounds interesting. I don't give a shit if people agree with the SCORE, but if the content sounds appealing, then that is what matters.

I want to hear your SAL impressions :)

[frankpistol]

"lengthy reviews" = good

[two_days_slow]

Awesome man. I am sure a lot of people might disagree with my tastes/reviews/whatever, but at least people can give it a read and decide for themselves if it sounds interesting. I don't give a shit if people agree with the SCORE, but if the content sounds appealing, then that is what matters.

I want to hear your SAL impressions :)

Yes, forget the score. Just enjoy the album for what it is, and to everyone one of us, it is going to be different.

[Steve Henderson]

"lengthy reviews" = good
Honestly?

I worry about being too verbose at times.

[spencersface]

I don't give a shit if people agree with the SCORE, but if the content sounds appealing, then that is what matters.

Exactly. Numbers are misleading as they offer no explanation. It's the words in the interview that catch people's interest and inform them about what the album has to offer. The overall score is unfortunately taken as an exact calculation of what the words are supposed to be--which is impossible.

Don't be lazy people, read the review, if you don't want a CD that has a few less-than-awesome songs, then don't get it--otherwise if it sounds interesting just check it out :)

Steve gave it a high score because the few imperfections didn't set back the overall experience for him. Let the words guide you, not the numbers!

[Steve Henderson]

Exactly. Numbers are misleading as they offer no explanation. It's the words in the interview that catch people's interest and inform them about what the album has to offer. The overall score is unfortunately taken as an exact calculation of what the words are supposed to be--which is impossible.

Don't be lazy people, read the review, if you don't want a CD that has a few less-than-awesome songs, then don't get it--otherwise if it sounds interesting just check it out :)

Steve gave it a high score because the few imperfections didn't set back the overall experience for him. Let the words guide you, not the numbers!
You are saving me a lot of typed words. Thank you. :)

[spencersface]

You are saving me a lot of typed words. Thank you. :)

I'm @ work so I'm jumping in to cleanse the insanity little by little..

It's frustrating that people can't just read the review--which is quite wonderful (regardless of whether you like the band, hate them, or have even heard of them)--and go "oh that sounds interesting, maybe I'll check it out" or "nah, a more focused album doesn't appeal to me" and leave it at that.

Instead they're pulling it apart piece by piece trying to throw around points in categories. Who cares about numbers. They help represent words but in the end, music is about feeling.

That's the entire purpose of the review. It's information. That's why you got the CD as an advance. lol...not sure why I'm telling you this, 'cause you already know! haha.

Back to work, bleh.

[Steve Henderson]

I'm @ work so I'm jumping in to cleanse the insanity little by little..

It's frustrating that people can't just read the review--which is quite wonderful (regardless of whether you like the band, hate them, or have even heard of them)--and go "oh that sounds interesting, maybe I'll check it out" or "nah, a more focused album doesn't appeal to me" and leave it at that.

Instead they're pulling it apart piece by piece trying to throw around points in categories. Who cares about numbers. They help represent words but in the end, music is about feeling.

That's the entire purpose of the review. It's information. That's why you got the CD as an advance. lol...not sure why I'm telling you this, 'cause you already know! haha.

Back to work, bleh.
Exactly. I spent so much damn time writing the review and so little time designating scores that it is frustrating that is what people are focusing on. Thanks once more for being a voice of reason...you rock man.

[instrumental]

great review steve :)

[spikestoyou]

So... um... I downloaded a demo of a song entitled I Can Tell There Was An Accident Here Earlier and I seem to like that particular song more than most of the Saosin material I've heard. I'm not a big follower of the band, but I was wondering if that song is on the new album. I've seen the tracklist and its not listed, but I was just curious if they renamed the track for the album.

Bury Your Head redone for the album follows in the footsteps of Permanent, All of Me, Into the Dark, and probably a lot more songs I cannot think of at the moment.

[RememberFminus2]

hey steve did you like old saosin? im curious.
also can you slap the dude who said "*****t" during the interview cause that is lame.

[Steve Henderson]

hey steve did you like old saosin? im curious.
also can you slap the dude who said "*****t" during the interview cause that is lame.
Yes, I did like old Saosin a lot. I prefer this overall, though.

[spencersface]

Exactly. I spent so much damn time writing the review and so little time designating scores that it is frustrating that is what people are focusing on. Thanks once more for being a voice of reason...you rock man.

Thanks. I understand your frustration--I didn't even write it and it's annoying how caught up people are getting with the exact numbers you gave. I guess there will always be those people, haha. Keep your chin up man :)

[YourMusicSucks]

So... um... I downloaded a demo of a song entitled I Can Tell There Was An Accident Here Earlier and I seem to like that particular song more than most of the Saosin material I've heard. I'm not a big follower of the band, but I was wondering if that song is on the new album. I've seen the tracklist and its not listed, but I was just curious if they renamed the track for the album.

Bury Your Head redone for the album follows in the footsteps of Permanent, All of Me, Into the Dark, and probably a lot more songs I cannot think of at the moment.

I love I can tell. There are two versions, a demo version recorded with Anthony Green. You can tell because the chorus is more screamingish, and the drums are done by a drum machine. The other version is with cove, I believe, and it has full drums and such. I think It was on the Music on the brain compilation for smartpunk. It's not on the CD.

About length of reviews: For CDs I am looking forward to, bands I love, and CDs that are hyped as hell, I like long reviews. All three of those apply to this cd. Long reviews for CDs that don't matter to me I'll just skim, unless the score is high enough to give me pause and get me to give it a more serious chance a la misery signals.

[dswhite85]

This album is going to be the best of 2006!

[Joe DeAndrea]

This album is going to be the best of 2006!

Behind Aiden.

[Big_Guy]

Behind Aiden.

yep

I'll check this cd out. Should be a lot more boring than Translating The Name.

[colormecadence]

Though I definately agree about the sketchy third inclusion of Bury Your Head, I seem to recall that it was not the band's decesion to include the song, it was the label's (unless they were blatently lying...). However, with that said, I thought the review was honest and well written. Although, I am a bit skeptical of the numbered rankings, if those are true, is this the ap.net album of the year? I just don't want "long awaited" to = bloated scores. Thanks regardless.

[Ailite]

Awesome. The 10 on the vocals has me pumped, great review.

[Broken Parachute]

Awesome review Steve, as usual.

Behind Aiden.

yep

I'll check this cd out. Should be a lot more boring than Translating The Name.
I hope you guys are joking about Aiden.

[Joe DeAndrea]

Awesome review Steve, as usual.




I hope you guys are joking about Aiden.

Well, I was haha.

[jon.fftl]

Great review, Steve. I saw them in Toronto this past Thursday and I couldnt be more impressed with the sound of the new stuff (Come Close, Voices, Follow and Feel, It's Far Better to Learn). Cannot wait for the CD.

This doesn't have to really do with the review, but I don't understand why so many people are so upset about Bury Your Head being on the CD. It's not the first time a band has had the same song on different CDs. Meh, just a thought.

[two_days_slow]

Great review, Steve. I saw them in Toronto this past Thursday and I couldnt be more impressed with the sound of the new stuff (Come Close, Voices, Follow and Feel, It's Far Better to Learn). Cannot wait for the CD.

This doesn't have to really do with the review, but I don't understand why so many people are so upset about Bury Your Head being on the CD. It's not the first time a band has had the same song on different CDs. Meh, just a thought.

Cartel did it with "Luckie St." Over It did it with "Siren on the 101" Matchbook Romance did it with "The Greatest Fall" and many bands are going to do it in the future... so in other words, get over it people.

[spencersface]

Well, I was haha.

Thank God.

[jon.fftl]

Cartel did it with "Luckie St." Over It did it with "Siren on the 101" Matchbook Romance did it with "The Greatest Fall" and many bands are going to do it in the future... so in other words, get over it people.
Exactly. Just to add to the list, Hidden in Plain View did it with "Twenty Below" and A Thorn For Every Heart did it with 4 songs on their "Silence is Golden" EP. It happens all the time.

[spikestoyou]

Quote:
Originally Posted by two_days_slow http://images.absolutepunk.net/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=4131817#post413181 7)
Cartel did it with "Luckie St." Over It did it with "Siren on the 101" Matchbook Romance did it with "The Greatest Fall" and many bands are going to do it in the future... so in other words, get over it people.

Exactly. Just to add to the list, Hidden in Plain View did it with "Twenty Below" and A Thorn For Every Heart did it with 4 songs on their "Silence is Golden" EP. It happens all the time

Must've missed my reply.. I mentioned Acceptance's "Permanent", Watashi Wa's "All of Me", and the Juliana Theory's "Into the Dark", and I just thought of Twothirtyeight's "The Sticks are Woven in the Spokes"

[AreTwoKay]

This album is going to be the best of 2006!
srsly doubt that

[spencersface]

its doesnt make sense because its basically just hype. this shouldnt be called a review, it should be called advertising, or hype, or buzz, but not a review. not by any means. everyone knew what this dude was gonna score this album wks ago.

Review:
1.a critical article or report, as in a periodical, on a book, play, recital, or the like; critique; evaluation.


He evaluated every aspect of the album, explained its pros and cons and gave it a high reviewer's tilt because despite the flaws it had a strong lasting impression on him. I think that's an honest review and certainly not advertising.

AP.net gives a lot of exposure to bands, but there's nothing wrong with that. If you're on this message board, you gotta like music in some form or another.

Like I said before, this isn't my favorite band or anything so the "hype" isn't a factor with me. Just look at the facts. He put out a solid review, stop bashing him. It's lame.

[spencersface]

you respond to posts in here more than the reviewer man. and how can it have a lasting impression if he just got the album? to me lasting impression would be if you were still jamming it months later. sure it fits the definition of a review but this thing is biased as fuck. i dont get why he even bothered to write one up considering anyone could of guessed wks ago that he would give it close to perfect.

unrelated: are you really at work right now? because if so then i wonder if your employer knows you do nothing there except read and post on this site. sometimes i feel the internet ruined productivity at work more than it improved it.

lol way to get personal.

Lasting impression; in the sense that despite the flaws he pointed out, after a few listens the overall effect of the album was positive.

He wrote the review so people who haven't heard the album yet could get some clarity on some commonly asked questions and see what to expect out of the album. I'd re-state the Q& A here, but he already covered that in the review.

I got off work a few hours ago.. It alleviates stress to put people in their place sometimes. Hence why I check back from time to time on these "heated" subjects. It's humorous to me.

While I'm at work I have downtime here and there where I can either read bullshit CNN news about terrorism etc. or I can read about music...so I choose the latter. Thanks for wondering about my life.

It's not my fault stupid people like you make the comments you do.

So are we going to psycho-analyze your life now, or are you going to stop being immature?

[HotCross]

ill download this album. Then like everyone else, never listen to it again.

[HotCross]

unrelated: are you really at work right now? because if so then i wonder if your employer knows you do nothing there except read and post on this site. sometimes i feel the internet ruined productivity at work more than it improved it.

Well i use the computer at work and i do read and post alot (not on this site cuz the CEO's gay and 95% of ppl here are pop loving ****) and sometimes u have alot of down time or spare time depending on your job. I prob spend close to 45 mins of the 7.5 hours i spend there doing unrelated stuff on the internet. So moral of the story is Saosin's album is anything special, if you bitches want special listen to the new Maiden cd and think wow this cd came out in our generation. No one will remember this crap. And to crowley...get a job so you can get paid and surf the web, instead of sitting home by yourself.

[Broken Parachute]

Well, I was haha.
hahaha I don't think the other guy was

[Steve Henderson]

lol way to get personal.

Lasting impression; in the sense that despite the flaws he pointed out, after a few listens the overall effect of the album was positive.

He wrote the review so people who haven't heard the album yet could get some clarity on some commonly asked questions and see what to expect out of the album. I'd re-state the Q& A here, but he already covered that in the review.

I got off work a few hours ago.. It alleviates stress to put people in their place sometimes. Hence why I check back from time to time on these "heated" subjects. It's humorous to me.

While I'm at work I have downtime here and there where I can either read bullshit CNN news about terrorism etc. or I can read about music...so I choose the latter. Thanks for wondering about my life.

It's not my fault stupid people like you make the comments you do.

So are we going to psycho-analyze your life now, or are you going to stop being immature?Haha you shut him the fuck up. Crowley, there is a reason you were banned once. For what it is worth, I am glad Spencer was looking out for me since I was taking a midterm in my MBA class. You know...that like outside of AP thing. Crazy, ain't it?

[WCC335]

Great review bro. I'm so excited to finally be able to hear this soon.

ditto. I'm stoked.

[mrzippo3]

anyone have that link to the video site that is just a new song played to a picture of album art?

[Moatilliatta085]

I have a quick question: is it Cove on I Wanna Hear Another Fast Song? cuz I remember someone said in one of the Saosin threads here in ap that Cove sounded a lot better in Sleepers than Ant in IWHAFS

[Steve Henderson]

I have a quick question: is it Cove on I Wanna Hear Another Fast Song? cuz I remember someone said in one of the Saosin threads here in ap that Cove sounded a lot better in Sleepers than Ant in IWHAFSIt's Cove.

[RX XR]

ive never liked saosin, but i guess this new cd is epi os i guess ill check it out. is saosin really as good as this review, because from what i've heard of them their nothing special?

[spencersface]

ive never liked saosin, but i guess this new cd is epi os i guess ill check it out. is saosin really as good as this review, because from what i've heard of them their nothing special?

The CD comes out in September. Check it out then, and then let us know what you think. Until then, the review offers ample insight as to whether the CD is good or not, according to Steve's tastes. If you find your tastes somewhat parallel to his, than there's a good chance you're going to really dig this album.

[two_days_slow]

ive never liked saosin, but i guess this new cd is epi os i guess ill check it out. is saosin really as good as this review, because from what i've heard of them their nothing special?

To each their own. I personally love Saosin, I have listened to them nonstop for over three years now. You may find the cd as good as I do, or you may fight the cd to be bland and boring as hell. Buy the album and give it a shot, if you like it then you will be happy for a long time. If you don't like it, then you are out $12, not too big of a loss. We have all bought cd's before that we didn't like, and will continue to in the future. What I am saying is don't listen to me telling you how good they are, or others saying how much they suck. Buy the cd on your own account and judge for yourself.

[tedE]

We have all bought cd's before that we didn't like, and will continue to in the future..

Actually, no, because we're in the 21st century and not all of us are morons who don't know about previewing an album through various sources (instore, purevolume, myspace, leaks, etc etc) before purchasing, and instead, choose to purchase blindly.

[two_days_slow]

Actually, no, because we're in the 21st century and not all of us are morons who don't know about previewing an album through various sources (instore, purevolume, myspace, leaks, etc etc) before purchasing, and instead, choose to purchase blindly.

ha, calling me names over the net... I don't care who you are, that's funny...

[Steve Henderson]

Actually, no, because we're in the 21st century and not all of us are morons who don't know about previewing an album through various sources (instore, purevolume, myspace, leaks, etc etc) before purchasing, and instead, choose to purchase blindly.No, you are the moron. You can't always preview an ENTIRE CD before it hits shelves or before your cheap ass buys it. The reach of oink only goes so far in this world of ours...

[shoutoutmylungs]

Bury Your Head is definitely too slow. You don't have that driving feeling like the previous version. Songs like Collapse and It's So Simple will blow your mind and make you forget you even heard that rehash song. Considering Voices will be their single you probably won't have to hear Bury Your Head that much. Finding Home is a great more chill song too. This album will be in my cd and mp3 player for a long long time to come.

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