The Black Swan (Story of the Year album)

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The Black Swan
The Black Swan cover
Studio album by Story of the Year
Released April 21, 2008
Recorded 2007
Genre Post-hardcore
Alternative rock
Alternative metal
Length 49:03
Label Epitaph
Producer John Feldmann/Elvis Baskette
Professional reviews
Story of the Year chronology
In the Wake of Determination
(2005)		 The Black Swan
(2008)		 Our Time Is Now
(2008)

The Black Swan is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band Story of the Year. The album was named after Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book on unpredictable events and was their first album recorded with indie label Epitaph Records, after switching from major label Maverick Records. Commenting on this switch, lead singer Dan Marsala said in an interview, "Making this record felt like starting over. We're like a brand new band. You can hear it in these songs, we're excited again. I think we've really stepped it up on this record." Guitarist Ryan Phillips adds, "Epitaph seemed like the perfect place for us at this time in our career. It's a much more creative environment." [1]

One theme found in a few of the songs ("Wake Up", "Terrified", "Pale Blue Dot (Interlude)") is the concept that human existence is insignificant in comparison to the universe as a whole, and that wars, fighting and killing seem pointless. The band believes that people should live their lives to the fullest extent. Other themes include political and social issues. [2]

The album debuted on the UK rock charts at number 6 [3] and at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling about 21,000 copies in its first week.[4]

Contents

[edit] Track listing

  1. "Choose Your Fate" - 3:34
  2. "Wake Up" - 3:32
  3. "The Antidote" - 4:00
  4. "Tell Me (P.A.C.)" - 3:59
  5. "Angel In the Swamp" - 4:29
  6. "The Black Swan"- 3:45
  7. "Message to the World" - 4:04
  8. "Apathy Is a Deathwish" - 3:31
  9. "We're Not Gonna Make It" - 4:03
  10. "Cannonball" - 3:50
  11. "Terrified" - 4:00
  12. "Pale Blue Dot (Interlude)" - 1:06
  13. "Welcome to Our New War" - 5:11

[edit] Bonus tracks

  • "The Truth Shall Set Me Free" (iTunes Bonus Track) - 4:00
  • "Never Let It Go" (iTunes Pre-Order/AUS/NZ/Japanese Bonus Track) - 3:42
  • "The Virus" (Japanese Bonus Track)[5] - 4:02
  • "Turn Up the Radio" (Japanese Bonus Track)[6] - 3:52
  • "Save One" (Japanese Bonus Track) [7] - 4:09

[edit] Singles

[edit] Chart Positions

Chart Peak
position
The Billboard 200 18
Billboard Top Independent Albums 3
UK Album Chart 136
UK Rock Albums 6

[edit] Personnel

[edit] References

  1. ^ Story of the Year on Epitaph
  2. ^ Story of the Year on Epitaph
  3. ^ UK Rock Charts
  4. ^ Katie Hasty, "Mariah Carey Remains Atop Billboard 200", Billboard.com, April 30, 2008.
  5. ^ Story of the Year VMC News
  6. ^ Story of the Year VMC News
  7. ^ Story of the Year VMC News


v • d • e
Story of the Year
Dan Marsala · Ryan Phillips · Philip Sneed · Adam Russell · Josh Wills
Greg Haupt
Studio albums
EPs
ThreeDaysBroken  · Truth In Separation  · Story of the Year  ·
Live albums and Compilations
Singles
"Until the Day I Die" · "Anthem of Our Dying Day" · "Sidewalks" · "We Don't Care Anymore" · "Take Me Back" · "Wake Up"  · "The Antidote / Tell Me (P.A.C)" · "Message to the World"