The Fire | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 26, 2010 | |||
Recorded | June 2010 | |||
Studio | Salad Days, Baltimore, Maryland | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 38:33 | |||
Label | Vagrant | |||
Producer | Brian McTernan | |||
Senses Fail chronology | ||||
| ||||
Senses Fail studio album chronology | ||||
|
The Fire is the fourth studio album by American rock band Senses Fail and was released on October 26, 2010 through Vagrant Records. It is the first album since Zack Roach replaced Heath Saraceno on guitar, however Garrett Zablocki recorded all the guitar on the album. It is the last album to feature Zablocki as well, as he left the band in 2011.
This album has two tracks that are featured on Senses Fail's greatest hits album Follow Your Bliss: The Best of Senses Fail . The two tracks are "The Fire" and "New Year's Eve". [1]
Senses Fail's third studio album Life Is Not a Waiting Room (2008) was released the week following the 2008 financial market crashing. It subsequently impacted the music industry, affecting the money that bands earned through sales. Vocalist Buddy Nielsen said: "[Y]ou started to see this dramatic shift of, 'Oh, this is kind of all gonna fall apart.'" [2] In August 2009, guitarist Heath Saraceno left the band, citing a need to leave the music industry and seek a different career. [3] In January 2010, it was reported that Zack Roach was the group's new guitarist. [4] The band then became embroiled in a legal battle [5] with former guitarist Dave Miller over royalties, which would last a few years. [6]
Recording for their next album took place at Salad Days Studios, close to Baltimore, Maryland with producer Brian McTernan in June 2010. The band spent eight months up to this point working on their next album, coming up with 17 songs. [7] Paul Leavitt acted as the Pro Tools engineer; McTernan mixed the recordings, before they were mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in New York City. [8]
Musically, The Fire has been described as post-hardcore, [9] [10] showcasing an increased capacity of aggressive and heavy tracks, namely "New Year's Eve", "Coward", "Lifeboats" and "Irish Eyes". [10] Discussing the album's title, Nielsen explained that the group when through various rough patches over the previous two years and was representative of how the members were feeling. He said: "Like we felt like we walked through a tragedy… or the fire… and come out on the other side." [11] When asked about the writing process, Nielsen said the band would jam and piece together songs from there. [11] Nielsen stated that the album "is a reaction and a release of a whirlwind of emotions that came from fighting for what we love and dealing with change and growth both personally and creatively". [7]
The album opens with its title-track, which is a mix of post-hardcore and space rock. [12] The pop rock song "Saint Anthony" [13] is named after the patron saint of lost possessions. Nielsen said the song was about his self-doubt: "That's something that everybody feels, but I definitely wanted to address that ... and rid myself of it". [5] The intro guitar riff to "Coward" recalled the Life Is Not a Waiting Room track "Lungs Like Gallows". [10] The alternative rock track "Landslide" [9] musically recalled "Can't Be Saved", from the group's Still Searching (2006) album, [14] and incorporated the use of hardcore punk-esque gang vocals. [15] It talks about Nielsen's resolve to live his life in the moment and not in the future. [5] With "Headed West", Nielsen latched onto the idea that moving somewhere else would solves his problems. [5]
On July 26, 2010, The Fire was announced for release in October. In August, the band went on a tour of Australia. [16] On August 26, "Saint Anthony" was on posted on the band's Myspace profile. [17] On September 9, the album's track listing was revealed. [7] On September 27, the band posted "The Fire" online. [18] On October 6, a lyric video was released for "New Year's Eve". The band asked fans to volunteer to be in a music video for the song "The Fire", which was filmed in New York City on October 9 and 10. [19] On October 18, The Fire was made available for streaming on Myspace. [20] It was released on October 26 through Vagrant Records. The iTunes edition included "Ghost Town" as a bonus track. [7] The UK edition was released through Hassle Records. [21] Some copies came with a live DVD, which was filmed at a hometown Halloween show at Starland Ballroom in New Jersey in October 2009. It contains live footage and interviews with the band, and was directed by Adam Rothlein. [7]
In October and November, the group went on a co-headlining US tour with Bayside, dubbed Out with the In Crowd Tour. They were supported by Title Fight and Balance and Composure. [22] In January 2011, guitarist Garrett Zablocki left the group and was replaced by Matt Smith of Strike Anywhere. [23] At the time, Zablocki reasoned that he left to attend college full time. [24] He later revealed he felt burnt out and "didn’t want to be 30 and looking for an entry-level job." [2] In February, the band went on a tour of the UK with support from Man Overboard. [25] On February 18, "The Fire" music video was released. It was directed by Richard Borge. On March 10, a music video was released for "New Years Eve". [24]
In March and April, the band went on a US tour, supported by The Ghost Inside, Man Overboard and Transit. [26] Following this, the band performed a handful of east coast shows, before appearing at The Bamboozle [24] and Groezrock festivals. [27] In November, the group went on a headlining US tour with support from Make Do and Mend, Stick to Your Guns and The Story So Far. The Fire was intended to be released on vinyl, through Mightier Than Sword Records, to coincide with the tour. [28] However, the vinyl edition wasn't released until February 2012. [29]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 78/100 [30] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AbsolutePunk | 81% [14] |
AllMusic | [31] |
Alter the Press! | [9] |
Beat | Favorable [10] |
Big Cheese | 3/5 [12] |
Daily Dischord | [32] |
Dead Press! | [15] |
Exclaim! | Mixed [13] |
Sputnikmusic | 4/5 [33] |
Ultimate Guitar | 5/10 [34] |
The album received generally positive reception. Staff reviewer Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic praised the lyrics as well as the track arrangement, concluding that "in refining the band’s sound and style so effectively, ‘The Fire’ is ultimately a resounding success which meets its objectives." [33] Drew Beringer of AbsolutePunk was positive, commenting "Yes, there are imperfections (a recycled riff here, some flat vocals there), but overall The Fire is the essential Senses Fail record to own" and that it is "Full of aggression and just enough catchiness to please both types of fans". [14] AllMusic also gave a positive review, stating that the album "starts with a small spark that quickly builds itself into an emotional blaze that burns steadily across all 11 tracks, taking the listener on an exceptional musical ride" and that it "shifts gears from good cop to bad cop effortlessly". [31]
Alter the Press! was more negative, saying "Whilst Senses Fail have proved to be consistent, 'The Fire' just about falls into being labelled as being 'safe,'" with a rating of three out of five. [9] Daily Dischord.com also called that album 'safe' and that "Senses Fail have yet again shown no ambition to break out of their comfort zone". [32]
All songs written by Senses Fail, lyrics by James 'Buddy' Nielsen. [8]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Fire" | 3:49 |
2. | "Saint Anthony" | 3:15 |
3. | "New Year's Eve" | 3:14 |
4. | "Safe House" | 3:18 |
5. | "Coward" | 3:30 |
6. | "Landslide" | 3:48 |
7. | "Headed West" | 3:12 |
8. | "Lifeboats" | 3:32 |
9. | "Nero" | 3:52 |
10. | "Irish Eyes" | 3:23 |
11. | "Hold On" | 3:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "Ghost Town" | 4:00 |
Personnel per booklet. [8]
Senses Fail
| Production
|
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200 [36] | 32 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [37] | 2 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [38] | 6 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [39] | 4 |
US Digital Albums (Billboard) [40] | 10 |
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard) [41] | 22 |
Senses Fail is an American rock band formed in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in 2001. Founded by vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Garrett Zablocki and Dave Miller, and bassist James Gill ; the band has seen many lineup changes, with Nielsen being the only consistent member. The band has released eight studio albums, two EPs, and one live album. Discovered by their first manager, Heath Miller of Excess dB Entertainment, booked them on a show opening for Catch 22 at Rexplex, where the owner's of Drive Thru Records saw them live for the first time and offered to sign them on November 30, 2002.
Vagrant Records is an American record label based in California. It was founded in 1995 by Rich Egan and Jon Cohen. The label focuses on rock, but features artists in a variety of other genres including folk, soul, electronic, and pop. It is home to artists such as The 1975, Death Spells, Eels, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, CRUISR, Active Child, PJ Harvey, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, James Vincent McMorrow, Black Joe Lewis, Wake Owl, Blitzen Trapper, and Bombay Bicycle Club. Originally, Vagrant Records was mostly focused on emo bands such as Dashboard Confessional, Saves the Day, The Get Up Kids, Senses Fail, and Alkaline Trio. The label is considered one of the pre-eminent labels of the emo music scene.
From the Depths of Dreams is the debut EP by American rock band Senses Fail. It was recorded at Nada Engineering Studio in New Windsor, New York, with John Naclerio and the band acting as producers. Naclerio served as engineer and mixed the EP, before it was mastered by Steven Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, California. Only 300 copies were originally released by ECA Records on August 16, 2002, and so it was released with new artwork and two bonus tracks on April 29, 2003 on Drive-Thru Records.
Let It Enfold You is the debut studio album by American rock band Senses Fail, released on September 7, 2004, through Vagrant Records. After finalizing their line-up, the band released their debut EP, From the Depths of Dreams, in 2002, which attracted the attention of Drive-Thru Records. The label signed Senses Fail; it had a distribution deal with MCA Records, which allowed them to acquire acts from Drive-Thru. Recording for the band's debut occurred at several studios in New Jersey in April 2003 with producer Steve Evetts. Additional recording took place at the end of the year. Described as an emo and screamo record, several of the songs on Let It Enfold You were influenced by poetry and literature.
Finch is an American rock band from Temecula, California. The band is best known for their single "What It Is to Burn" from the album of the same name (2002). Their second album, Say Hello to Sunshine (2005), peaked within the top 30 on the Billboard 200. Following setbacks within the group, they released the album Back to Oblivion (2014).
Hey Mercedes was an alternative rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, United States, formed after the dissolution of Braid by its former members Bob Nanna, Todd Bell, and Damon Atkinson.
I Am the Avalanche is the debut album by I Am the Avalanche and was released on September 27, 2005 on Drive-Thru Records. The release date marks the two-year anniversary of the break-up of singer Vinnie Caruana's previous band, The Movielife.
Sound the Alarm is the fifth studio album by American rock band Saves the Day. After signing to major label DreamWorks Records, the band released In Reverie in late 2003. Shortly afterwards DreamWorks Records was absorbed by Interscope Records, resulting in the band being dropped from label. After completing some songs in early 2005, the band was aiming to record in May, hoping to release the album in the fall. Pre-production took place in early August with recording being done at the band's own studio, Electric Ladybug Studios with Steve Evetts as the producer. After recording wrapped up in October, the band immediately undertook a 47-date US tour. Sound the Alarm, along with the later records Under the Boards (2007) and Daybreak (2011) form a trilogy whose theme is self-discovery.
Crisis is the third studio album from Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, released on August 22, 2006.
Still Searching is the second studio album by American rock band Senses Fail, released October 10, 2006 through Vagrant Records. A month after the release of their debut studio album Let It Enfold You (2004), the band had enough material for their next album. Guitarist Heath Saraceno, formerly of Midtown replaced Dave Miller in late 2005. They spent the next several months writing more material and demoing songs. They recorded over six weeks from May 2006 with producer Brian McTernan at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York. Still Searching is an emo, post-hardcore and screamo album, though it featured less screaming overall compared to past works. It is a concept album that follows a character dealing with faith, heartbreak and depression.
From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II is a cover album by American band New Found Glory, and is the follow-up from the EP From the Screen to Your Stereo (2000). All the tracks are cover versions of songs from motion picture soundtracks. In 2019, the band released another album in the series, From the Screen to Your Stereo 3, under the Hopeless label.
The Shade of Poison Trees is the fifth studio album recorded by the band Dashboard Confessional.
Life Is Not a Waiting Room is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail, released on October 7, 2008 through Vagrant Records. Following the release of the band's second studio album Still Searching (2006), bassist Mike Glita left the band. He was replaced by Jason Black of Hot Water Music shortly afterwards. In early 2008, they were demoing new songs, and by April 2008, they had recorded their next album at Salad Days Studios in Fells Point, Maryland with producer Brian McTernan. Life Is Not a Waiting Room is a post-hardcore and metalcore album about the end of frontman Buddy Nielsen's relationship and dealing with his alcoholism and depression.
Coaster is the eleventh studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on April 28, 2009 through Fat Wreck Chords.
Old Crows / Young Cardinals is the fourth studio album from Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, released on June 23, 2009. The album was originally referred to by the shortened title of Young Cardinals, until the name change was announced on April 1, 2009.
Beggars is the seventh studio album by American rock band Thrice. It was released digitally through Vagrant Records in the UK on August 9, 2009, and in the US on August 11, 2009. A physical release containing bonus material was released on September 15, 2009.
Transit was an American rock band from Stoneham, Massachusetts. From their formation in 2006 to their split in 2016, they released five albums, four EPs, and a split EP with Man Overboard. Although they largely took influence from emo acts such as Saves the Day, Death Cab for Cutie, American Football, Fairweather, Lifetime, and Hot Water Music their sound transformed from a fusion of pop punk and contemporary emo from their early releases into an indie rock sound by their final release, Joyride.
Man Overboard is the second studio album by the American rock band Man Overboard. After the release of their debut album Real Talk (2010), guitarist Wayne Wildrick left the group, resulting in several line-up changes. In December 2010, the group had signed to independent label Rise Records, and aimed to release another album by fall of next year. Following Wildrick's return to the band in April 2011, the group began demoing songs for their next album the following month. With New Found Glory guitarist Steve Klein standing in as producer, the group recorded their second album at Cannon Found Soundation Studios in New Jersey in June. Following this, the band went on a European tour with Polar Bear Club. After the album was announced in August 2011, "Dead End Dreams" was made available for streaming later that month, followed by "Spunn" in mid-September.
Renacer is the fifth studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail, released on March 26, 2013.
Pull the Thorns from Your Heart is the sixth studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail. In March and April 2015, the group supported Bayside on their headlining US tour. It was released on June 30 through Pure Noise Records.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)