Still Searching

Still Searching
Studio album by Senses Fail
Released October 10, 2006
Recorded 2006
Studio Bearsville Studios, New York
Genre Post-hardcore, emo
Length 40:43
Label Vagrant, Drive-Thru
Producer Brian McTernan
Senses Fail chronology
Let It Enfold You
(2004)Let It Enfold You2004		 Still Searching
(2006)		 Life Is Not a Waiting Room
(2008)Life Is Not a Waiting Room2008

Still Searching is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail, released October 10, 2006 through Vagrant Records. A deluxe version of the record was released, containing a DVD with the making of the album. In the first month of sales the album sold 200,000 copies and had been the tenth best selling album at Best Buy that month. It is the first album to feature guitarist Heath Saraceno, and the last to have original member Mike Glita, on bass. It is the band's highest charting album to date.

Background

The album was recorded in the spring of 2006 at Bearsville Studios, and the band began playing songs from the album on the Warped Tour that Summer. It was mixed by Chris Lord-Alge.[1] A 40-minute "making of" video of the album sessions was later released via Alternative Press.[2]

Still Searching was the first album to feature newest guitarist Heath Seraceno.

Concept

Still Searching is based on the depression and heartbreak that Buddy Nielsen, the lead singer of the band, suffered in the years before the album's release. One major inspiration is evident from the song "Shark Attack" which Buddy confirmed was about his own personal experience with a psychologist who prescribed him medication he didn't need to send more business to his wife, a psychiatrist, so the two could make double the money. This was confirmed on the back CD cover of their "Best Of" album "Follow Your Bliss" in which comments about each song is listed. The record is a concept album, a story is told from the point of view of a character's stress and anxiety, including his battles with faith, alcohol, and depression. He eventually takes his own life in the track "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues"; a track in which leitmotifs from Can't Be Saved are heard. After a brief instrumental interlude ("Negative Space"), the final track, "The Priest and the Matador" tells of the dying character's refusal of spiritual help, and finally, his death.

Release

"Calling All Cars" was released to radio on September 19, 2006.[3] Still Searching was released on October 10 through Vagrant.[2] A total of six bonus tracks and B-sides have been released with different versions of the album and its singles: The song "Stretch Your Legs to Coffin Length" comes with the digital download of "Calling All Cars" from the iTunes Store. Three acoustic bonus tracks are featured on a limited number of copies purchased from Best Buy. Target customers received a sticker atop their album covers for the download of two additional tracks ("Cinco de Mayo" and a live version of "Lady in a Blue Dress"). In October and November, the group went on the 2006 international edition of the Taste of Chaos tour, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Europe.[4]

In November and December, the band went on tour with Saosin,[5] Bleeding Through, Drive By and I Am the Avalanche.[6] In January and February 2007, the band went on tour with Saosin and Alexisonfire.[7] From mid February to early April, the band went on the 2007 edition of the Taste of Chaos tour.[8] In June, the band headlined the Zumiez Couch Tour in the US, as well as tour with From Autumn to Ashes.[9] In October and November, the band went on a co-headlining tour of the U.S. with New Found Glory. They were supported by Set Your Goals[10] and The Receiving End of Sirens.[11] A deluxe edition of Still Searching was released on November 13. It featured six bonus tracks (two originals that were recorded previously in August, thee B-sides and a cover of the Cranberries song "Salvation") and a DVD with behind-the-scenes tour footage.[12] In early May 2008, the band appeared at the 2008 edition of the Bamboozle festival.[13]

The songs "Can't Be Saved," "The Priest and The Matador," "Shark Attack," and "Calling All Cars" are featured on the band's greatest hits album Follow Your Bliss: The Best Of Senses Fail.[14]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[15]
AbsolutePunk(81%)[16]
Melodic [17]
MammothPress(7/10)[18]

The album was generally well received. AllMusic gave the album four stars and praised the improvement of the album over its predecessor; "The focus here is more on tense emo rock with a hard pop edge than scream-bloody-murder screamo -- since there is less emphasis on screaming -- yet the music remains wholly Senses Fail."[15] Absolutepunk.net writer Drew Beringer commented on the album's improved lyrics and musicmanship, and concluding by saying "Still Searching is quite the improvement, and while it leaves some to be desired, it shows that Senses Fail are on the right path to fully discovering themselves" awarding the album (81%).[16] Mammothpress.com reviewed the album and gave it (7/10), stating "The band has improved in almost every way. The lyrics are better, the vocals are better, the screaming feels like it has a purpose now and the music sounds like an almost completely different band."[18]

Track listing

All tracks written by Senses Fail.

Still Searching
No.TitleLength
1."The Rapture"1:57
2."Bonecrusher"2:33
3."Sick or Sane (Fifty for a Twenty)"2:45
4."Can't Be Saved"3:07
5."Calling All Cars"3:23
6."Shark Attack"2:54
7."Still Searching"4:18
8."To All the Crowded Rooms"3:05
9."Lost and Found"3:50
10."Every Day Is a Struggle"3:04
11."All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues"4:05
12."Negative Space"1:22
13."The Priest and the Matador"4:21
Total length:40:43

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
US Billboard 200 15
Top Independent Albums 2

Vinyl release

On October 16, 2012 Still Searching was released on vinyl.

Record Label Color(s) Pressed
Vagrant Records Coke Bottle Clear 800
Red\Black Swirl 200

References

  1. ↑ http://www.breakmyears.com/?st=configuredRequest.do&requestName=showArtistDetails&ArtistId=805&sc=ArtistId&SubMenu=bio
  2. 1 2 "AP Exclusive: Watch the making of Senses Fail’s new album!". Alternative Press. October 3, 2006. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Taking Back Sunday, Thursday, Underoath, Saosin on TOC Int’l". Alternative Press. June 26, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ "AP Exclusive: Senses Fail and Saosin to tour U.S. this winter". Alternative Press. September 19, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Dates for Senses Fail/Saosin tour posted; Bleeding Through added". Alternative Press. September 22, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Senses Fail extend tour with Saosin, add Alexisonfire". Alternative Press. November 14, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Dates for Taste Of Chaos ‘07 revealed". Alternative Press. December 1, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Senses Fail, From Autumn To Ashes to tour in June". Alternative Press. May 17, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  10. ↑ "New Found Glory and Senses Fail touring this fall". Alternative Press. August 2, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Receiving End of Sirens to support New Found Glory/Senses Fail tour". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. September 17, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Senses Fail announce new release, tour dates". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. September 20, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Chiodos, Finch, the Starting Line, Senses Fail on Bamboozle 08". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. November 9, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Allmusic review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  16. 1 2 "AbsolutePunk review". AbsolutePunk.net. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  17. ↑ Roth, Kaj (October 12, 2006). "Senses Fail - Still Searching". Melodic. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  18. 1 2 "Mammothpress review". 30 October 2006. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
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