Sydney

Following a solid year working on the road, touring coast to coast in Canada, and a very well received debut record, the band began the year long journey that has culminated to produce a mature, complex, cohesive record without abandoning the signature sound that has endeared the band to so many.

“When We Were Safe” chronicles all of the challenges of being an indie band. Vocalist Scott Sanderson’s intensely personal lyrics, guitarists Jay Jensen and Brent Munro’s infectious melody, and bass player Anto Boros and drummer, Kyle Anderson’s driving rhythm. A broad range of influences are apparent, however Sydney, as always, manages to take these influences and combine them into something very unique and truly their own.

With this triumphant record produced by Jesse Smith (Cauterize)due for release on Oct. 9th, 2007 on Black Box Recordings/Universal, the band finds themselves in a positive place these days. A newfound and hard earned sense of creativity, maturity, and most important, perspective on life and music has given this band a solid motivation. No longer are they to be considered part of a trend or a flash in the pan. “When We Were Safe” proves that Sydney are capable and important artists, committed for the long haul.

Blazing out of the gates with the song’s “Sorry Stanger” and the anthem-esque “Things Couldn’t Be Better Than What?”, the album gets off to an impressive start proving instantly that this is a much more mature, capable and talented group of artists. Continuing with the intensity of the songs “String Theory”, the first single, “The Exit”, and the cyptic “Listen”, the band pushes on with a sense of well orchestrated-reckless abandon. The record takes an unexpected turn with the title track, “When We Were Safe”, showcasing falsetto and group vocals – it is undoubtedly one of the album highlights. The second half of the album continues to demonstrate the record’s cohesiveness, with no wavering in energy, catchy vocal-driven choruses or driving melody. “Deadlines” and “The Terry Gantner Way” are the survivors of the year of adversity, left standing despite being two of the first tracks written for the record – further evidence that perseverance through tough times can produce very solid results. Specifically, the chorus in “The Terry Gantner Way” is worlds apart from its stylistic contemporaries. The album closes with “Don’t Call Me Scorpion”, “Mixed Drinks” and “Until The End”, continuing the pattern of infectious vocal melodies, impassioned lyrics and energetic performance. “Until The End” sways back and forth, following an easily memorable hook, exploring dynamic peaks and valleys, ending the record with a solo vocal performance that would send shivers down the spine of even the most hardened critic.

boys night out, silverstein, ten second epic