Greetings! So, this is my first review here on SputnikMusic, though I've been lurking for quite some time... Either way, I need some writing involvement to use as example material (I'm currently in high-school looking for a job writing for the local paper), and what better thing is there to share my thoughts on but music?
Saosin
Warped Tour EP
1) Bury Your Head
2) I Wanna Hear Another Fast Song
3) New Angel
4) Lost Symphonies (Live)
5) Bury Your Head (Acoustic)
So, it's another Saosin review! I know what you're thinking... How does this dude justify giving this EP a 4.5? Doesn't he know how much better Anthony was?
Yeah, no.
I know as much about Saosin's shifting roster so let's just leave it out here and focus on what this is really about. Saosin's Warped Tour EP is an incredible effort from the post-hardcorers whose name is derived from an ancient Chinese proverb (you like those facts, dontcha!) which stands for "small heart". Let's see how these Grinch-esque rockers put together an EP.
1) Bury Your Head
This song is essentially the depth of this EP... It's the one and only track on this EP that was completely new, and for that reason it was hyped up the most. The song is Cove's first effort writing with Justin (a member of Saosin from the beginning) and definately showcases the pair's talent. The song starts with a driving beat sprinkled with riffs with both metal and pop influences. The lyrics are slightly more cliched than what we've heard from these guys before, but they flow wonderfully, and compliment the feel of the song. The drumming is exquisite; the guitar work is tight, and the drumming manages to find the perfect balance of fills that mostly consist of well placed sixteenth note tom rolls. It's my favorite Saosin song up to this point, and enticed me the first time I heard it.
5/5
2) I Wanna Hear Another Song
I'll admit I haven't been "in with Saosin" from the beginning, but it's my understanding that this is a new version of an older Saosin song. If so... whatever. It's a good song as it is, but is slightly pale compared to "Bury Your Head" and "New Angel". It begins with a thrashing beat; guitar riffs layer over some nice double bass rolls. You'll notice an obvious difference in the recording of Cove's voice. In "Bury Your Head" it stood out above the instumentals, but that's not the case for this track or "New Angel". He still sounds good, but you get the feeling he's fighting to sing over the music, which distorts it to the point of not being able to understand the lyrics. Reguardless, it fits in nicely, and lets you focus more on the music itself. A short, Thursday-esque bridge at 2:11 leads perfectly into the concluding chorus, where Cove's vocals and the back-ups (Justin? Beau?) layer over one another and complete the song with a powerful harmony.
4/5
3) New Angel
Saosin has a soft side! It's a good one too. "New Angel" is terribly underrated in my eyes. The song begins with a distorted crescendo similar to that of "Bury Your Head", but instead of thrusting you into a fast-paced beat, you're confronted with a softer, slower drive that leads into the verse. There's some simple, but very creative drumming that stands out over the quiet guitars that echo in the background. The vocal harmonizing is beautiful and creates a very soothing atmosphere. You're not allowed to drift, however... The chorus is rocking, but laid back. It's very soothing, but hard to describe. Those familiar with Thrice's latest effort Vheissu and tracks like "Of Dust and Nations" contain a similar vibe. Slow, heavy, but predominantly melodic. This is the shortest of the three tracks, but leaves me very satisfied.
4.5/4
4) Lost Symphonies (Live)
A track that first appeared on Translating the Name of Anthony Green's era with Saosin, "Lost Symphonies" is the hardest and fastest track on this EP. Interestingly enough, there is no screaming in the new material (the members say that it's a cliched technique in music) but they're handled very well. Cove's vocals start of a little weak, but as the song progresses, his voice's power increases. The real highlight of this recording is the instrumental aspect of the tune. The drums are flawless, and the guitars don't miss a beat. Unfortunately, the EP offers no video content for this recording, so whether or not they're engaged in their usual guitar throwing and head banging is unknown. Reguardless, the group puts on a great a show, and I'm anxiously awaiting a Houston show to be announced.
4/5
5) Bury Your Head (Acoustic)
Ugh. Yeah, it's bad. I looked for some reconciliation from this iteration of, what in its own context is an amazing song, but I just couldn't find a thing. To start, it's just too slow for its own good. Cove has improved a lot since the release of this EP... but obviously this recording hasn't changed. His notes all seem strained, and he seems to choke or stumble on some of the transitions from note to note. Not to mention, he completely avoids a lot of the higher notes by singing lower, but manages to stay in key and sound. Unfortunately decent is as good as it gets. The guitar work is boring, and loses all its appeal with the enormous decrease in tempo. This track seems very rushed, and is quite honestly painfully to endure for its entire duration.
1.5/5
So there you have it... My final rating was obviously not an average, and despite my harsh criticism toward their attempt at an acoustic "Bury Your Head", I still find this to be an incredibly solid EP. Buy it!
