Silverstein - Rescue
Record Label: Hopeless Records
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Silverstein may not be as popular as they should be, but for over ten years they've been releasing fairly consistent albums (with the exception of the misstep that was most of Arrivals & Departures) that have credited them with a loyal following. December of last year, they started a new chapter of their careers, releasing the EP Transitions through their new record company Hopeless. It was an exciting release, despite offering nothing all that new. With Rescue, the band certainly continues with the consistency, however they've completely redefined their sound, implementing elements from all of their previous works to create perhaps their finest achievement as a band.
"Medication" is exactly what you'd expect in a Silverstein opener, starting off with a lengthy intro before dissolving into a fast-paced and hard-hitting track, filled with wonderful guitar work (especially in the chorus) and great vocal work from Shane Told. "Intervention" is one of the biggest highlights, featuring some of the tightest musicianship the band has ever offered. In fact, a lot of the stuff found here is tighter than any of their previous work. It flows a lot better without necessarily flowing to the point where each track crashes into each other.
"Texas Mickey" features Anthony Raneri of Bayside, and the contrast in vocals is absolutely wonderful. "The Artist" plays a lot like "Born Dead", steering more in a punk direction. It's a fun and fist-pumping track. "Burning Hearts" includes a short guitar solo and feels a lot like a solid rock song, but instead of coming off as cheap and misplaced, it stands on its own. It's a great, accessible, radio-friendly song that's catchy as hell.
The lyrics still deal with the same recurring themes that have been found on previous works. Everything from heartache to the decay of society, Silverstein covers it all. "Live to Kill" is a prime example of the latter theme. "We live to kill each other, we are the wealthy and the poor/We shout but we don't listen, all we want is more." Pretty much same story, different chapter here, yet Told has certainly tightened the screws on his writing craft, as these lyrics are more mature than, say, the lyrics found on Discovering the Waterfront.
Creatively, this album is really nothing new. Once again, if you've never liked Silverstein, this album won't change your views on them. What it lacks in creativity, though, it makes up for in substance and relevance. Silverstein takes their craft to the next level as musicians, finding the right mix to their sound ("In Memory Of..." really takes all the styles that they've tried and collides them together for a beast of a track).
Overall, Rescue is a gem. Silverstein has crafted one of the finest albums so far this year, and the first real album this year that I've been able to consistently play from start to finish. Will it end up on most top ten lists come end of the year time? Most likely not (it definitely will for me). However, old and new Silverstein fans will rejoice at the content found within and the insanely high replay value. This may not be a masterpiece in the strictest definition of the word, but it is the first true Silverstein masterpiece.
yea I'm just finishing my first listen
the first few tracks were kinda weak IMO, but there definitely is some solid shit on here...i think with a few more spins I'll be really into this record
Ugh...not getting into it...some tracks sound like so many other silverstein tracks,its a good album nonetheless,but it could be more exciting and energetic.
album was so good. took him a while to write a review on it, ive been check back here for a few weeks now. great album from a great band, great review.
The record is good. it has some really standout really good tracks like The Artist (amazing song), Burning Hearts, Intervention and Texas Mickey and the rest is pretty solid. I don't like the direction they took with Darling Harbour though, but it still is a decent song.
I would place Rescue just behind Discovering the Waterfront and A Shipwreck in the Sand. Arrivals and Departures was a good record. It just wasn't as good as its previous and its following albums.
Nice, I'm glad to see you liked it so much, and it was a well written review. This is completely not the place I was hoping they would be in by this time in their career, but at least they are pulling it off well.
In Memory Of is one of the best songs they've ever done.
"In Memory Of..." certainly branches off from the track "Discovering The Waterfront". Both are tightly wound, emotionally lyrical ballads. This certainly was a great closer for the album, and certainly a refresher considering most of the albums predominantly punk or pop-rock overtones.
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