Senses Fail: In Your Absence [2017] — EP Review

Buddy Nielsen: Lead Vocals
Zack Roach: Lead Guitar
Matt Smith: Rhythm Guitar
Gavin Caswell: Bass
Chris Hornbrook: Drums

Produced by Senses Fail

Tracklist:

1. Jets to Peru – 3:52
2. In Your Absence – 3:20
3. Death Bed – 4:32
4. Family Tradition – 3:26
5. Lost and Found – 3:51
Total Runtime: 19:01

So, gee, it's been a while, hasn't it, guys? Well, whatever—time to get back to reviewing. Senses Fail just released their new acoustic EP today, and I just listened to it on my drive back from the store. It's pretty darn good. And it's certainly a step up from 2015's Pull the Thorns from Your Heart and has me pumped for the album they're teasing for later this year.

Hit the Lights: Just to Get Through to You [2016] — EP Review

Nick Thompson: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Omar Zehery: Lead Guitar
David Bermosk: Bass
Nate Van Damme: Drums
Kevin Mahoney: Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals

Produced by Hit the Lights

Tracklist:

1. Blasphemy, Myself, & I – 2:56
2. Drop the Girl – 3:39
3. Fucked Up Kids – 2:57
4. Save Your Breath – 3:00
5. Summer Bones – 4:17
6. Lighthouse – 3:22
Total Runtime: 20:11

Last year, Hit the Lights released their fourth album, Summer Bones, and their third with Nick Thompson on vocal duties. While it wasn't bad, it left something to be desired. With ten songs and only lasting 26½ minutes, Summer Bones doesn't really feel finished. Not to mention the "feat. Colin Ross" on "Old Friend" is barely earned, but that's all a story for when I review Summer Bones.

The Story So Far: Under Soil and Dirt [2011] — Album Review

Parker Cannon: Vocals

William Levy: Guitar

Kevin Geyer: Guitar

Kelen Capener: Bass

Ryan Torf: Drums
Produced by Sam Pura

Tracklist:

1. States and Minds – :51

2. Roam – 2:54

3. Quicksand – 2:38

4. Swords and Pens – 3:09

5. High Regard – 3:51

6. Daughters – 3:06

7. Mt. Diablo – 4:09

8. Four Years – 2:44

9. Rally Cap – 2:18

10. Placeholder – 3:05

12. Closure – 3:19

Total Runtime: 32:12

Under Soil and Dirt is The Story So Far's first album. And it's such a great album. Under Soil and Dirt was the album that got me hooked on TSSF. I had heard "Clairvoyant" and While You Were Sleeping before I'd listened to Under Soil and Dirt, but Under Soil and Dirt was the one that really got me to start listening to them.
Under Soil and Dirt opens with the short intro "States and Minds", which bleeds into "Roam", an amazing song. Cannon has a very unique singing style; he sounds like he's yelling, but he's not screaming, à la Senses Fail or something. It's strange, but it sounds really cool, honestly.
"Quicksand" is a freaking awesome tune; "Swords and Pens", "High Regard", and "Daughters" are all your standard 2010s pop-punk, but not as watered down, definitely above average. "Mt. Diablo" is another standout track, with the shift in time in there.
"Four Years" is like the aforementioned standard fodder, but it's followed by "Rally Cap", an upbeat, vivacious tune. "Placeholder" is a very nice sounding track, starting with acoustics instead of electric guitars. "Closure" isn't the best closer, but it's a good song nonetheless.
Overall, Under Soil and Dirt is a great album. TSSF have really done it here, this is one of the best débuts ever recorded.

States and Minds: 8/10

Roam: 10/10

Quicksand: 7/10

Swords and Pens: 7/10

High Regard: 6/10

Daughters: 7/10

Mt. Diablo: 10/10

Four Years: 6/10

Rally Cap: 9/10

Placeholder: 10/10

Closure: 7/10

Subtotal: 88/110

Bonus Points:

Killer Choruses: +2

Total: 90/110

Score: 8.2 Excellent

Genres: Pop-Punk, Alternative Rock

Last Week's Review: Can't Slow Down by Saves the Day

Next Week's Review: Static Prevails by Jimmy Eat World
Next Story So Far Review: What You Don't See