Background and release
From Autumn to Ashes formed in 2000 with Benjamin Perri (vocals),Stephen Salvio (guitar) and Francis Mark (drums,clean vocals). [6] [7] The band spent its first few months touring and would record the EP Sin,Sorrow and Sadness,which would be released through Tribunal Records that same year. [8] Following the EP's release,the band would appear on Warped Tour over the summer. In early 2001,From Autumn to Ashes performed with Skycamefalling and Martyr AD,where Carl Severson,founder of Ferret Music,was in attendance;the band would be signed to the label the following day. [7] Around this time founding guitarist Stephen Salvio left the band and was replaced by Brian Denevee.
Production of Too Bad You're Beautiful lasted from May 15 to 23 in 2001. [9] The album was produced by the band and Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage at Zing Studios in Westfield,Massachusetts. Each song on Too Bad You're Beautiful is written about a relationship vocalist Benjamin Perri had. The album was released through Ferret Music on August 14,2001. Too Bad You're Beautiful has sold over 100,000 units and remains one of Ferret's best-selling releases. [10] [11]
Reception and legacy
Too Bad You're Beautiful has received highly positive reviews since its release. The album is often considered to be one of the best metalcore albums ever released. [13]
Chronicles of Chaos reviewer Xander Hoose praised the band's ability to mix fast-paced hardcore with slower, melodic moments. Hoose criticized drummer Francis Mark's clean vocals noting his vocals were off-key at times and kept the album from being perfect. [3]
Lambgoat reviewer Mustapha Mond noted the band's ability to mix hardcore, metal, emo. Mond highlighted the songs "Cherry Kiss," "Capeside Rock," "Take Her to the Music Store," and "Reflections." Mond stated that "'The Royal Crown -vs.- Blue Duchess' took so many disparate elements, and yet somehow managed to keep a unified sound - it stayed one song the whole time. But over the course of 'Too Bad,' one cannot help but feel that too many things happen separately, and never quite gel." Mond concluded by calling Too Bad You're Beautiful one of the best albums of 2001, despite its flaws. [5]
In a 5/5 review, Punk News praised the album for its variety of musical styles and elements, from the hardcore of album opener "The Royal Crown vs. Blue Duchess" to the metal of "Cherry Kiss" to the acoustic emo of "Chloroform Perfume" and the spoken word of "Mercury Rising." The review highlighted "Take Her to the Music Store" and "Reflections" as examples of how the band can quickly change tempo and song structure. The review called closing track "Short Stories with Tragic Endings" a masterpiece, praising the use of violins and Melanie Wells's performance. [12]
In 2020, Brooklyn Vegan included Too Bad You're Beautiful on its list of "15 albums that defined the 2000s post-hardcore boom." [4]
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