As Cities Burn - Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest

[hailthewarrior]

As Cities Burn - Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest
Record Label: Solid State Records
Release Date: June 21, 2005

Here in the present year of 2008, As Cities Burn is a completely new machine compared to when they burst onto the scene, praised as the new Underoath in 2005. While today’s incarnation hints back at possibly the best debut in Solid State's history, the differences at vocals (brothers TJ and Cody Bonnette switching duties) and sheer band size (from six members to four) are minuscule in comparison to the sound shift. But, let us return to June 2005 to re-experience the debut that set this incredibly talented band into the scene.

The mood of the album is immediately set in the first song, with distorted guitars and TJ Bonnette’s powerful lead vocals dominating from the opening line of “I’ve got a will but I want Yours,” and never letting down the intensity, with sheer passion always seeping into how style. Future lead vocalist, Cody Bonnette, relegated to lead guitar and backing vocals on this disc balance his younger brother perfectly. The second song of the album, "Love Jealous One, Love," shows how well their vocals meld together as TJ screams, while Cody chants “We will wear compassion / We will wear it on our chest.” This track also showcases that TJ can, in fact, sing - and sing well, though his screamed declaration of “This is me at my darkest” is one of the many highlights of this album.

The distinct guitar sound of this album makes one of its coolest intros in the third song, "Incomplete Is A Leech," which acts as a “part one” of sorts into the lead single, and arguably their most famous song, "Bloodsucker, Pt. 2." Possibly the most accessible and upbeat song on the album, its selection as lead single makes perfect sense and it did exactly what a single is supposed to do; it caught many people’s attention. It also features both brothers with screaming vocals and singing vocals, set at an unfolding pace, where one is following the other through the chorus.

Arguably one of the best songs of the album, "Terrible! How Terrible for the Great City!," features Cody singing over a muted guitar until TJ and the rest of the band come screaming in epic fashion. The song gives lyrical insight into the mind of a guy contemplating a question we as men try to hide from ourselves: “Am I a monster?”

The song sounds like it would have fit on the band's 2007 effort Come Now, Sleep, as it follows with Cody assuming lead vocals, with all the emotion and sincerity as his brother, on a song coming from the perspective of a son asking his missing father why he left him at a young age. Taking it one step further, the chorus connects it to the supernatural level with the lyrics: “My God / What a world you love / Where men bury their sons / And without thought / Just walk away”. However, the connection back into the heavier aspect of the album comes with TJ chant-screaming in of “Let the dead bury their own dead,” which leads into the “part two” of the second track, and gives us one of the best titles (in my opinion) for an album. "Wake Dead Man, Wake" follows in the same vein as "Love Jealous One, Love," but this time it is told from the Father perspective, with the album titled screamed as the song fades away into a slow, reverberating outro.

The hardest track on the album, ["Admission: Regret," features the brothers screaming their hearts out, with guest backing vocals from Josh Scogin (The Chariot, ex-Norma Jean) who helped produce this album alongside Matt Goldman (Underoath). The track continually builds upon itself with added instrumentation creating a chaotic atmosphere until it finally bursts as TJ and Scogin scream until it just collapses. While "One: Twentyseven" is a decent song, it is the only part of the album that seems wrong simply because of its placement.

The final song, easily the most prolific song As Cities Burn has ever written, "Of Want and Misery: The Nothing That Kills," features beautiful blending of the brothers singing, mid-tempo guitars, and steady drumming. The first scream of the song is intense in its emotional impact on the song, and the record as a whole. The final surprise of the album is as the first half of the song winds down, a gripping guitar solo continues to hold your attention until the song explodes in an epic manner, taking one’s mind for a thrill ride of emotions. As Cody sings the outro to the album, almost as if they knew subconsciously he’d be taking control two years later, the feelings of satisfaction and the need to listen again overwhelm.

While today, As Cities Burn in its mellower (but by no means soft) incarnation make fantastic music, the intensity, passion, and contrast between the vocalists make this one of the best albums of its kind, and when layered over the driving, compelling music it makes it worth your time any time one listens to it.

Underoath, Chiodos, Showbread, Dead Poetic, Emery
myspace.com/ascitiesburn (http://www.myspace.com/ascitiesburn)

[Klatzke]

9 for creativity..
Its an excellent album though.

I would have uped lasting value and lowered creativity.

[newfoundmichael]

Wow...95% huh? I find that a bit high.

Other than that, I think this review was pretty much on. I agree that a nine for creativity is pretty much contradicted by the fact that it is for fans of Underoath and Chiodos however.

[DI Pistola]

I must not have been hearing the same record, because 95% is way high.

[hailthewarrior]

9 for creativity..
Its an excellent album though.

I would have uped lasting value and lowered creativity.

Wow...95% huh? I find that a bit high.

Other than that, I think this review was pretty much on. I agree that a nine for creativity is pretty much contradicted by the fact that it is for fans of Underoath and Chiodos however.

I did 9 for creativity because of the different sounds on the guitars for the record, I realize how "generic" their sound it, but the spin they put on took it just above being totally bland and generic and made it their imprint.

And 95% is just my fanboyness rolling over it, I'll admit it.

[newfoundmichael]

I did 9 for creativity because of the different sounds on the guitars for the record, I realize how "generic" their sound it, but the spin they put on took it just above being totally bland and generic and made it their imprint.

And 95% is just my fanboyness rolling over it, I'll admit it.

Haha, i feel you on the fanboy thing. I have my bands like that as well so it is all good. And I understand your explaination on the 9 now, thanks for making that clear. Very solid review.

[hailthewarrior]

Haha, i feel you on the fanboy thing. I have my bands like that as well so it is all good. And I understand your explaination on the 9 now, thanks for making that clear. Very solid review.

Thanks! It's funny, I don't do the percentages I just choose what I think fits as I'm doing it, and sometimes it adds up to some over-rating, and sometimes it's very underwhelming.

[Klatzke]

Thanks! It's funny, I don't do the percentages I just choose what I think fits as I'm doing it, and sometimes it adds up to some over-rating, and sometimes it's very underwhelming.
I know what you mean. I usually calculate what it comes out to with everything except the tilt, and then set the tilt accordingly.

[newfoundmichael]

Thanks! It's funny, I don't do the percentages I just choose what I think fits as I'm doing it, and sometimes it adds up to some over-rating, and sometimes it's very underwhelming.

I do the exact same thing when I review.

I don't pay attention to what it adds up to be. I rate everything accordingly and then whatever percentage comes out just comes out. It doesn't really make a difference to me.

[Praetor]

Band rules.

[Troggy]

Thanks! It's funny, I don't do the percentages I just choose what I think fits as I'm doing it, and sometimes it adds up to some over-rating, and sometimes it's very underwhelming.

Fan boy :-p

[Heart-A-Tact]

Easily one of my best impulse buys.

[porttheman]

when was ACB a 6 piece???

[thejaredens]

Love this cd!! so much better than come now sleep ..

[phildisaster]

nice to see the nods to the new record, which i think is brilliant.

[hailthewarrior]

Fan boy :-p

you know it!

when was ACB a 6 piece???

Anytime before Warped Tour 2006.

Love this cd!! so much better than come now sleep ..

thats debatable...

[hailthewarrior]

nice to see the nods to the new record, which i think is brilliant.

i do, too. which is why i wrote it that way, haha

[porttheman]

thats not true i saw them once in 05 and then in the spring of 06 and they were a 5 piece

[hailthewarrior]

thats not true i saw them once in 05 and then in the spring of 06 and they were a 5 piece

Of the three times I've seen them, two of them they were a six piece...

[porttheman]

Of the three times I've seen them, two of them they were a six piece...

thats crazy...im not callin you a liar by any means...ive just never seen them as a 6 piece ive seen a fill in bass player,but other then that,its always been the norm...oh well

[Gustavatron.]

The song sounds like it would have fit on the band's 2007 effort Come Now, Sleep, as it follows with Cody assuming lead vocals, with all the emotion and sincerity as his brother, on a song coming from the perspective of a son asking his missing father why he left him at a young age. Taking it one step further, the chorus connects it to the supernatural level with the lyrics: “My God / What a world you love / Where men bury their sons / And without thought / Just walk away”.

This part ceoncerns The Widow, but if I didn't know that I'd think you were still talking about the last song.

[hailthewarrior]

This part ceoncerns The Widow, but if I didn't know that I'd think you were still talking about the last song.

Somehow the word "next" between The and Song didn't get put in. But yes, it is about The Widow.

[Nick Le]

i love this album. and band...but i think i like come now sleep better.

[fearthesloths]

I like the music on this album, but the religious overtones just ruin it for me...

[Greg.Kushlan]

Come Now Sleep is way better, but you kids probably don't like it since its not heavy.

[bowl of oranges]

Good review man. I wouldn't rate it that high, my final percentage would probably be in the 83 thru 86 range, depending on my mood. But good review nonetheless.

[Deadwomb88]

What does this band even sound like anymore?

[Sic Transit Zeb]

I'm checking out this band cuz of the review and what I've heard on their myspace. I don't know if it'll lieve up to 95% but we'll give it a shot. I've always heard good things about this band

[Unicorn Douchin]

ddude Come now sleep is amazing.... this band is the best band on Solid State/Tooth and Nail there guitars are frikkin crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzy

[drudo182]

Nice review. I love this album so much.

[drudo182]

Love this cd!! so much better than come now sleep ..

Eh, I don't know. Come Now Sleep is amazing.

[thisgamewelose]

Eh, I don't know. Come Now Sleep is amazing.
As was "Son, I loved you at your darkest." IMO, Son, I loved you at your darkest is slightly better than Come now sleep. When i bought this cd I instantly fell in love with it and it had me excited for Underoaths last cd. Both As cities burn cds are great.

[wewascontenders]

Great review. ACB is one of the only bands from the genre that don't bore the hell out of me.

[hailthewarrior]

i love this album. and band...but i think i like come now sleep better.

i still havent decided, haha. its so hard, i love them both.

I like the music on this album, but the religious overtones just ruin it for me...

i liked how, like mewithoutYou, it wasnt all "everything is okay" christianity, it was "i have a problem and im willing to admit im human, too" christiany.

Come Now Sleep is way better, but you kids probably don't like it since its not heavy.

Both are amazing.

Good review man. I wouldn't rate it that high, my final percentage would probably be in the 83 thru 86 range, depending on my mood. But good review nonetheless.

Thanks, yeah, I didn't calculate it for it to be that high like I said earlier.

What does this band even sound like anymore?

You Won't Know by Brand New is kinda similar...

I'm checking out this band cuz of the review and what I've heard on their myspace. I don't know if it'll lieve up to 95% but we'll give it a shot. I've always heard good things about this band

Awesome man, I hope you really enjoy it. Great dudes.

ddude Come now sleep is amazing.... this band is the best band on Solid State/Tooth and Nail there guitars are frikkin crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzy

best band falls to mewithoutYou, but they're in the top 5, definitely.

Nice review. I love this album so much.

Thanks, so do I!

Great review. ACB is one of the only bands from the genre that don't bore the hell out of me.

Awesome, grad you like it, Greg. :-)

[Daniel Thompson]

this album is so awesome.
i love as cities burn

[Cuddleworthy]

Great album, but I think the RIYL section is kind of inaccurate.

[Klatzke]

Comparisons to underOath disapoint me.

[hailthewarrior]

Great album, but I think the RIYL section is kind of inaccurate.

Who would you say?

Comparisons to underOath disapoint me.

That's sad, as they were the next Underoath is TJ had stayed in the band, now they're a much different band, but in this, they're the next step up from Underoath in "heaviness."

[rodericknj]

I would agree with everything because this is probably my favorite CD of all time.

[Gumbyjag]

great review and all, but i can't help but love Come Now Sleep more.

[saveyourshows]

i saw them in 05/06 ... 5 piece.

[fadedmemories]

95% is too high, but this is a quality album I still listen to ocasionally

[Cuddleworthy]

Who would you say?

Not sure...it's hard to do for this band, I think. Me and those I know that like ACB dislike every band you had in RIYL so that's why I said it's inaccurate.

[awakeohsleeper]

What a wonderful CD and what a good review. Captured the album quite well. (Although I love One:Twentyseven a bit more than you I think...)

[mutenameless]

Amazing

[vegaclothing]

ddude Come now sleep is amazing.... this band is the best band on Solid State/Tooth and Nail there guitars are frikkin crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzy


Agreed. Tooth and Nail's last good signing. They are recording a new record as we speak, by the way.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

i still havent decided, haha. its so hard, i love them both.



i liked how, like mewithoutYou, it wasnt all "everything is okay" christianity, it was "i have a problem and im willing to admit im human, too" christiany.



Both are amazing.



Thanks, yeah, I didn't calculate it for it to be that high like I said earlier.



You Won't Know by Brand New is kinda similar...



Awesome man, I hope you really enjoy it. Great dudes.



best band falls to mewithoutYou, but they're in the top 5, definitely.



Thanks, so do I!



Awesome, grad you like it, Greg. :-)

yeah man, upon first listen I like it. Perfect workout music and I like better than any underoath album I have.

I do have Come Now Sleep and I like taht one better. I'm more into melodic stuff like that anyways, which is why.

[theguy]

never were a 6 piece.

[hailthewarrior]

Not sure...it's hard to do for this band, I think. Me and those I know that like ACB dislike every band you had in RIYL so that's why I said it's inaccurate.

I highly doubt they dislike Emery, Underoath, and Showbread... as they've toured with the first two extensively, and Showbread once. And a RIYL isn't a "they're all friends" thing, it's who you think they sound the most like. And they sound like a mesh of all those bands.

[Cuddleworthy]

Nah, my best friend and I like ACB but hate every one of those bands mentioned. SILYAYD is just miles ahead of all those bands and it DEFINITELY doesn't sound like ANYTHING Emery has put out.

[hailthewarrior]

Nah, my best friend and I like ACB but hate every one of those bands mentioned. SILYAYD is just miles ahead of all those bands and it DEFINITELY doesn't sound like ANYTHING Emery has put out.

Yeah, you may dislike them, but for the reasons stated above, I highly doubt they do. And I made the progression from Emery to As Cities Burn, and I imagine a bunch of people did as well as that's how the scene was at the time. Besides, Emery and As Cities Burn have toured together a ton since SILYAYD came out, they don't have to sound the same for a RIYL section.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

Yeah, you may dislike them, but for the reasons stated above, I highly doubt they do. And I made the progression from Emery to As Cities Burn, and I imagine a bunch of people did as well as that's how the scene was at the time. Besides, Emery and As Cities Burn have toured together a ton since SILYAYD came out, they don't have to sound the same for a RIYL section.

thanks for the review. LIke I said before I checked this band out more and I'm loving SILAYD when I work out and shit. Just fits perfectly before football practice too.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

Nah, my best friend and I like ACB but hate every one of those bands mentioned. SILYAYD is just miles ahead of all those bands and it DEFINITELY doesn't sound like ANYTHING Emery has put out.


I really don't like Emery at all

[Cheesus]

Awesome review, glad someone did it. This is one of my favorite cds ever. Such a great lasting value, even after 3+ years now.

Haha I love how they totally broke up too, then reformed due to fans DEMANDING it

[tottivillarossi]

I would have upped Lyrics, I love their Lyrics.

This album is so so so good, one of the best post-hardcore albums ever.

[Jamos4184]

I hate to be that guy. But a few things. ACB was only a 5-piece band on this record (TJ, Cody, Colin, Pascal, and Aaron). Also, I believe TJ is actually the older brother.

Other than that, nice review, although I have to completely disagree with you about One:Twentyseven's placement on the album, I think it fits perfectly as the second to last song. The guitar part at the end, IMO, flows very well into the beginning of Of Want and Misery. Also features some of my favorite lyrics on the record, "How dare I call this love, and not bare my cross?.....How can I call this love when all that I am is because Your love endures my back to it?"

[Jamos4184]

Come Now Sleep is way better, but you kids probably don't like it since its not heavy.


False, Come Now Sleep is an outstanding record. It's tough to really compare these 2, though, they're so different. Come Now Sleep is obviously more progressive (in the sense that they changed their sound and are progressing in THAT direction, as they've made clear about their next record, which I can't wait for!), but Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest is easily one of best (if not THE best) Solid State debuts within the last 5 years. TJ's scream was so unique, and as much as I miss it, it wouldn't really fit their new direction very well.

[jfspinner88]

"i liked how, like mewithoutYou, it wasnt all "everything is okay" christianity, it was "i have a problem and im willing to admit im human, too" christianity."


I think mewithoutYou has their own way of reaching people on a spiritual level, and I think that comes from the Weiss brothers being brought up Sufi Muslim from a former Episcopalian mother and a former Jewish father but having Christian faith. But I do agree that As Cities Burn has lyrics that reflect someone looking at their own faults; this was also constant on Come Now Sleep. The lyrics blended perfectly with the tone of the music to show someone in a state of hopelessness and humility. I think they were able to get me to realize the seriousness of the worst parts of me and still see the hope found in Christ. The lyrics will always make this one of my favorite albums.

[doppelganger]

this cd has ridiculous lasting value for a post hardcore album. man, the lyrics are amazing.

[20daysin]

great great great great great album!