Through Being Cool

by

Saves the Day

Edit

Saves the Day is by far the best band I have heard in a long time. I agree with most reviews - it is heartfelt and poetic. One person mentioned it not being catchy or meoldic. I couldn't disagree more. Through Being Cool is both a catchy and melodic album, totally heartfelt and poetic. Amazing lyrics and exceptional vocals are driven by extremely talented musicians who really KNOW their instruments. Chris Conley displays knowledge beyond his years. His lyrics have both made me laugh and choked me up. Over the last five months, the CD has rarely left my stereo, and even then, only for roadtrips.

If you like the Get Up Kids, face to face, with a little Down By Law, you will LOVE Saves the Day. This album is FANTASTIC. I recommend it without reservation.

I have mixed feelings about this album. I've listened to it about four times, and I honestly don't know what I think of it. The first time I didn't like it, the second time I did, the third time I really liked it, and the fourth time it just annoyed me. I think it's the singers voice that gets on my nerves: it sounds thin somehow, not strong. What some people call "emotion" comes across to me as whining. I also grew tired of the constand "whoa"-ing that the singer seems to feel is necessary to include in every song. It's difficult to tell one song from another, as they ALL have the same tempo, mood, and volume. I'm not generally one who enjoys a ballad, but a little variety is a good thing. Which brings me to another point: the entire album is about being dumped by a girl and wanting/getting revenge. Fine for one song, but an exhausting theme for an entire album. Actually, it's really like one fourty-five minute song, with each track being a different "chapter". I guess this isn't a bad thing, but, again, I found it exhausting.

Admittedly, some of the songs had catchy hooks, and the lyrics, though entirely about lost love, were clever at times. This seems like it would be great background music for hanging out with your friends or maybe a party (as long as you don't listen too closely to the often pessimistic lyrics). But personally, I don't find that it makes very enjoyable music to actually sit down and LISTEN to. Which maybe it was never meant to be. Whatever. Anyway, that's my opinion.