| Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Seether | ||||||||||
| Released | 17 May 2011 | |||||||||
| Genre | Post-grunge, alternative metal | |||||||||
| Length | 46:10 | |||||||||
| Label | Wind-up | |||||||||
| Producer | Brendan O'Brien | |||||||||
| Seether chronology | ||||||||||
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Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is the fifth studio album by South African post-grunge/alternative metal band Seether. It was the first Seether album to have Troy McLawhorn as the lead guitarist. However, he departed from the band just before the album's release, to once again become the rhythm guitarist for the band Evanescence. It was released on 17 May 2011, and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S.
Contents |
Shaun and Dale confirmed in an interview on 2 March 2009 that, after their tour with Nickelback, Seether would take the rest of year off to write and record the follow-up to Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.[1] After several months of recording music for their upcoming album in Nashville, Tennessee[2] with producer Brendan O'Brien,[3] Seether began touring again in April 2010 with the intention of going back into the studio "in the first week of June", in order to complete the new record. The new album title was announced as "Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray."[4]
On 17 December 2010, the band members confirmed the title in an interview in advance of their USO concerts. John Humphrey stated in the interview that the title is "actually a lyric from an important song on the album", the song being "Here and Now". [5]
During an interview with Planet 1051 radio in Louisiana, former guitarist Troy McLawhorn and drummer John Humphrey confirmed the band would be releasing a new album titled Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray in May. It was also during this interview that they announced the first single, which was titled "Country Song".[6]
On 16 February 2011 the band posted a video announcing the dates of the first single and album release. On 4 March 2011, it was reported via Twitter that the album's release date was moved up a week, to 17 May 2011.[7]
On 7 March 2011, in an interview with radio station 103.3, Lazer Shaun stated that he was writing a song for a potential movie soundtrack, and that it was sent into the label the previous week. Also, they will be recording it with Brendan O'Brien in Nashville, TN and that it could possibly be included in the album.[8]
On 16 March 2011, Shaun announced via Twitter that they were heading back into the studio to record one last track for the album. "Band update for ya'll... heading to Nashville tomorrow to record one last track for HOSBLTF. We like to keep things last minute and fresh!" About the song, Shaun said: "It's a heavy little ditty, kinda like the stuff we did in the Disclaimer and Karma days. Should be a fun one. We'll keep you updated."[9] Shortly after this, "Fur Cue" was added to the tracklist on the band website.
The album cover was designed by artist Mark Kostabi, who is also known for designing the covers for Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I and II.
The album finds itself being much different than the band's previous release. Shaun Morgan's screams are rarely found on the new album, and his lyrics reflect different subject matters. The album is described as being "very strong, melodic, and heavy at times", by the band's drummer, John Humphrey.[10]
On 4 September 2010, during a live show at the DuQuoin State Fair, Seether debuted "No Resolution".
On 8 March 2011, Wind-Up Records released the track list and album art on the band website, along with the first single, "Country Song", on iTunes.[11]
On 28 March 2011, Seether made an appearance on Lopez Tonight to perform the new single "Country Song" live.
On 6 April, the song "Roses" became available as a free download for subscribers of the official e-mail newsletter.
On 26 April, the song "Forsaken" became available as a free download for pre-ordering the deluxe version of Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray on iTunes.
On 13 May, the entire album was officially released for streaming if you were to "tweet" on Twitter the given message on the website.
The band has been confirmed to play on the main stage for the 2011 Rockstar Uproar Festival along with Avenged Sevenfold and Three Days Grace.
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is Seether's highest-charting album on the U.S. Billboard 200, reaching #2. The album also gave Seether their second-best first week sales, with over 61,000 units sold during its first week of release in the U.S.[12]
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [13] |
| IGN | [14] |
| Revolver Magazine | |
| Sputnikmusic | [15] |
| Rockfreaks.net | [16] |
Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray has received mostly positive reviews. Steve Losey of Allmusic said, "Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is another journey into the mind of Shaun Morgan: through heartbreak and rebirth he still has a lot to say about betrayal. His stamps as a guitarist, a songwriter, and a lead vocalist are everywhere on this disc, and thankfully, that's what ultimately drives the release home."[13] Chad Grischow of IGN said in his review that "this diverse set of melodic hard rock proves to be a solid entry in the band's catalog."[14] Finally, Brandon Geist of Revolver Magazine gave the album 4 stars out of 5, saying, "Held together by Shaun Morgan's alternately gritty and smooth vocals, Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray should forever distinguish Seether from all the clichéd radio-rock schlock flooding the airwaves."
| Standard edition | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Fur Cue" | 3:47 | |||||||
| 2. | "No Resolution" | 3:08 | |||||||
| 3. | "Here and Now" | 3:55 | |||||||
| 4. | "Country Song" | 3:49 | |||||||
| 5. | "Master of Disaster" | 4:18 | |||||||
| 6. | "Tonight" | 3:44 | |||||||
| 7. | "Pass Slowly" | 3:27 | |||||||
| 8. | "Fade Out" | 3:54 | |||||||
| 9. | "Roses" | 4:17 | |||||||
| 10. | "Down" | 3:57 | |||||||
| 11. | "Desire for Need" | 3:33 | |||||||
| 12. | "Forsaken" | 4:19 | |||||||
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Total length:
|
46:10 | ||||||||
| Deluxe edition bonus tracks | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length | |||||||
| 13. | "Dead Seeds" | 4:03 | |||||||
| 14. | "Yeah" | 4:28 | |||||||
| 15. | "Nobody" | 3:07 | |||||||
| 16. | "Effigy" | 3:35 | |||||||
| iTunes deluxe edition pre-order bonus track | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length | |||||||
| 17. | "Here and Now (Deconstructed)" | 3:59 | |||||||
The physical pressing of the deluxe edition contains the four additional tracks listed above, as well as a bonus DVD featuring the video for "Country Song", a "making of the video" featurette, and a "The Making of Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray" feature, bringing the release to 16 tracks and two discs (including the bonus DVD).[17]
*"Fur Cue" was recorded after Troy left Seether. The other tracks were already recorded when Troy was in the band.
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart[18] | 50 |
| Austrian Albums Chart[19] | 69 |
| Canadian Albums Chart[20] | 3 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart[21] | 6 |
| Swiss Albums Chart[22] | 21 |
| US Billboard 200[23] | 2 |
| US Billboard Alternative Albums[24] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hard Rock Albums[25] | 1 |
| US Billboard Top Rock Albums[26] | 1 |
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