The Payoff of a Long Wait
Along
the Shadow, Saosin’s self-produced third full-length
album, is not an album for the fans, despite their 7 years of radio silence
since In Search of Solid Ground. It is
an album made by the band that still has plenty left to say and more ground to
explore. It may be arriving late, but is certainly not arriving devoid of significance.
Along the Shadow isn’t simply a
reunion album or a fun trip for nostalgia’s sake, though i am one of them
who think it is Along the Shadow
is the next chapter in Saosin’s growing legacy.
The
album kicks off straight away with “The Silver String” which came in March as
the first sample of music from the album. Mind you, i was online that time,
youtubing, and when i found “The Silver String”... i was beyond excited! The long
awaited single from Saosin has finally come to reality!!! At some point i found
it very similar to Athony Green’s Circa Survive, though i just stay still and keep
listening to them. When the song slows down midway through Alex Rodriguez’s
drumming which catches my attention as he seamlessly continues playing it fast
but it somehow fits in with what the rest of the band are doing.
For
the track “Ideology is Theft”, we are greeted by Beau Burchell’s punching riffs
again and Alex’s drumming combo before the hauntingly arose vocals. This track
feels like a song that they made for an earlier album and it just did not end
up getting released. As the song goes by, you will think that it slowly grows
closer to the Saosin you love every listen. While in the track “Racing Toward a
Red Light” it does sound like they are certainly racing toward something with
this fast paced emotion filled with banger. It has been known by public that no
one ever doubt the band’s talent, including in this track. Beau really shines
with his technique throughout the song.
While
Along the Shadow lives largely
within the post-Hardcore realm of Saosin’s wheelhouse, the band takes time to
explore deeper in “Second Guesses” which is surprisingly poppy track
reminiscent of “Finding Home”. The song leaves you feeling all kinds of good
and relaxed as they lead into “Count Back from TEN”, another mix of slow and
fast but fierce attack on the senses. This is probably the track that every old
school Saosin fans have been waiting more than decade for. Alex’s drumming is
otherworldly, driving the track through multiple changes of pace, especially
during the track’s aching chorus.
On
“The Stutter Says a Lot”, the guys try their hand at Further Seems Forever’s The Moon is Down with incredibly smooth
guitar tones and cool transition. At first listen, all of these song that i
have mentioned could be played one after another and the change would only
noticed by hardcore fans who knew exactly what was going on. A continuous
melody of songs so early into the album that grab hold and entice you to keep
listening. Next, “Sore Distress” features more of a dragged out lyrical
experience for the listener. I am probably going to get stabbed for writing the
next part but unfortunately in some parts i feel like this track is almost
sounded like a softcore industrial rock song.
“The
Secret Meaning of Freedom” brings back the heavy, intensely fast paced music we
heard earlier on the album. Even within the dense texture of the track, you can
still pull out the signature of Saosin guitar tones that help the track still
feel close to home. And it is not just stop here, if you are looking for a new
song to add to your running playlist, no- i mean a playlist that you listen to
while you do running, “The Secret Meaning of Freedom” is the one you should
play during the last sprint towards the finish line. It will certainly get your
blood pumping!
“Old
Friends” is next and it is one of the slower tracks of the album with yet another
technical showcase of the exceptional drumming skills. While “Illusion &
Control” exemplifies the old and new Saosin in a beautiful collision of guitars
and vocals. The chorus is delightfully aggressive and the final minute of the
song may be some of Saosin’s best work yet. The track closes with a violent
ending, marked by the incredible drumming that made the final moment of “Collapse”
so breathtaking on their self-titled
album.
Similarly
the track “Control and Urge to Pray” will probably take fans back to the early
days with squealing guitars that keep you on your toes throughout. It starts
off like something the earlier edition of Guitar
Hero. Chris Sorenson’s bass skill is absolutely killing it. Super pumping! The
heavy riffage, Anthony’s vocals and screams are undoubtedly awesome and Alex drumming
just smashes away like it is his final show ever.
Well,
for better or for worse, the Cove Reber era of the band was highlighted by Cove’s
ability to find soaring melodies that backlit the band’s heaviest breakdown,
something that is largely absent from Along
the Shadow. To dwell on such a hang up feels like nitpicking of the
highest order, what we have on our hand with Along the Shadow is one of the finest post-Hardcore albums of the
year from a celebrated band that many of us assumed to be gone for good. For now,
the band is once again a heavyweight title contender in the world of rock.
For
all the frustration and anxiety Saosin fans have vehemently vocalized in the
time since the band stormed onto the scene in 2003, the payoff has been
undeniably great. Props need to be handed out to Alex Rodriguez who’s playing
throughout the album is top notch as the drums are super hot within the overall
album mix. Without a doubt, quality prevails, no matter how much we clamor for
more. And all that is left to say now is ‘Welcome
back Saosin, we’ve missed you.’
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