Driven Far Off

Artist: Senses Fail
Album: Still Searching
Label: Vagrant
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: October 10, 2006

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 9.0

After releasing their first full length and having it suffer from being leaked online several months in advance, Senses Fail were labeled boring and unoriginal by many critics and people behind their keyboards. What a lot of these people failed to realize is that had that album came out when it was originally intended, it would’ve preceded the thousands of albums cloning them and the few other bands that were actually fronting the new wave of “screamo.” Senses Fail just got screwed in a moment which they could’ve owned, but they didn’t let that stop them. “Let It Enfold You,” despite the harsh criticisms was still a moderate success. The band are aiming for a bullseye this time around with their second LP for Vagrant, “Still Searching.”

The most obvious change for the band comes with the departure of long time guitarist Dave Miller and the new addition of Midtown’s Heath Saraceno. The guitars have always been one of the strongest parts of the band and Heath adds a whole new level of proficiency as he and Garret Zablocki have become a team worthy of the “dynamic duo” mantle.

Buddy Nielsen’s vocals have always been the subject of hate, which I can sometimes understand. For the most part, I always thought Buddy’s voice was pretty unique, and that helped to set the band apart from others. Not every vocalist has to be spot on for it to be good. Every now and then, there are a few flat notes(ex. “Shark Attack”) but overall, Buddy’s on top of his game. The most prominent difference in the frontman is his scream. He’s gone from a capophonic squeal to a lethal roar that’s sure to turn some heads.

Lyrically, Buddy dives into his experiences with nearly going insane for inspiration. Where his old suicide and murderous lyrics were just figurative for the sake of the songs, the accounts of “Still Searching” are far more introspective.

Senses Fail have definitely stepped their game up and this disc has the potential to sway former haters and turn them into fans. As for older fans, they should definitely dig “Still Searching” as it showcases the best the band has always offered and elevates them back to the top of the mountain of bands that piled up during their limbo.

Track Listing
1. The Rapture
2. Bonecrusher
3. Sick or Sane(Fifty For a Twenty)
4. Can’t Be Saved
5. Calling All Cars
6. Shark Attack
7. Still Searching
8. To All the Crowded Rooms
9. Lost and Found
10. Every Day Is a Struggle
11. All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues
12. Negative Space
13. The Priest and the Matador