Story of the Year - The Black Swan
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Music CD Cover Artist: Story of the Year Edition: Music CD CD Release Date: 2008-04-22 Music Label: Epitaph Soundtracks:
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Free Music Notes for The Black Swan Album
Free Music Review: Epitaph takes on Story of the Year
Hit: 4 Stars
Story of the Year has broken the silence with `The Black Swan', an album finely polished and artistically designed and produced. With Epitaph taking on this album, hit singles are clearly at a loss, but quality is at an all-time high. Story of the Year has become an interesting phenomena in the evolution of post hardcore/emo music. `Page Avenue' was a marketable album and a mainstay on local radios and MTV... Their mainstream success subsided a bit with the release of `In The Wake Of Determination', though still receiving attention with the demands of Maverick records and first single "We Don't Care Anymore." Now, with their third disc, SOTY has chosen to leave the label that has sported the likes of Alanis Morissette, Madonna and the Deftones and become a high profile band on an indie label. In many ways, Story of the Year is taking a step back in order to take a step forward.
I'll be the first to admit that I was skeptical of some of the songs at first. A few of the tracks on the latter half of the album sounded like B-sides from `In The Wake...' The sound was very similar, but the catchiness wasn't as prolific. However, after a couple listens and a peek at the booklet, the album became bigger than what I expected it to be. They aren't straying from what's made them successful, and for that, I give them 4 stars, probably closer to 4 1/2. Lyrically, the album is brilliant. It's a paradox of life and death and vocally showcases the exceptional talent of front man, Dan Marsala.
The one song that has me scratching my head is "Message To The World." It reminds me too much of "Five Against The World", a song that has a fantastic concept but a very simplistic and questionable chorus. That song aside, I guarantee you if you are a fan of their prior music, this album will scratch your itch.
Standout Tracks:
"Choose Your Fate"
"Wake Up"
"The Antidote"
"Tell Me (P.A.C.)"
"Apathy Is A Deathwish"
"Terrified"
I can't compare this disc to 'Page Avenue' because their style and intentions were so different at the time. Musically, I find that it falls just short of 'In The Wake Of Determintion.' However, lyrically, the band has undoubtedly peaked. I think they write some of the most fluent, poetic, heartfelt lyrics you'll find in the music business today, and this album only gives support to my opinion. Those of you looking for an album that you can really connect with and feel the passion in the band, I highly recommend this.
Grade: A-