The initial piano draws you in, and as the bass and drums are added in, you start on a journey. A journey you never saw coming. You feel peace, the release, and then as they lyrics put it, "til the second later I had to watch it leave". Fortunately for us, these sounds don't have to leave. They literally become a part of you. As the song picks up, you literally feel it's strength. The lyrics really speak to me. I was falling in, it was the only thing I ever knew… I fell into you as you were falling out. I bought into that, and I bought into this song. This song not only drew me in, but set me up for one of the best 39 minutes of my life.
"Monsters"
What a magical song. Begins with a classic Jesse Wride sing-rap. Sounds weird to say it that way, but I promise you, it is impressive. It brings you back to your childhood in a way. After all, I still believe there are monsters underneath my bed, skeletons in my closet. And sometimes, you even lose sleep. Not in this song though. I feel as you listen behind the vocals you hear Austin's drumming- super talented guy. How he plays those drums, making it sound so easy… It's crazy. 2:32 hits and you get a glimpse of Jesse's skills on the piano and Court's incredible bass playing (2:40). And you may not have have run out of air as a child, but that's why it only brings you back to your childhood in a way, because this song reminds us that we all have things that haunt us from our past, and that is what causes us to run out of air. These monsters rage on throughout the song, and when it's over- you're half excited to stop reliving your haunted past, but half sad because another brilliant song is over.
"In Time"
One of my favorites from the album. I don't have answers, I can't find answers. I was a believer but now I'd happily leave here. Well, I won't leave just yet, cause this song is BEAUTIFUL! Sad, but beautiful. It reminds us all that in time, we will be able to move on from past loves. Not just through the lyrics, but through the melody, the harmonies, the brilliance of it all! I can't contain my emotions when the chorus comes around and "Did we burn the bridge where we were, did we fall in love with something so much more, but it burned from the core and buried deep inside our minds. And I'll wake up, wish you some luck… Take a trip to where we were when we were young." Relationships can be all over the place. This song though it reflects the emotional strains of relationships, is not all over the place melodically. Haven't you ever wanted to pour out your heart and soul- how you had always been a believer but your significant other just let it all die? Take your pride, you don't need her eyes anymore. You may not be able to speak clearly, but this song is coming through loud and clear through these headphones of mine.
"Cold War 72"
Oh "Cold War 72"- how I love you. When I heard you on the CD, my heart seemed to have a song that resonated with my emotions- "When everything it came undone. You came undone, I came undone. It may not be how you felt, but you know that our hearts did melt. They will be fixed in time. That's the day I came live, I stayed alive, I am alive." Haven't you ever felt that way? The lyrics in this song almost are a little cryptic but they couldn't be more straightforward. And the piano is once again beautiful- it plays a melody so sweet and so true. I feel this is one song on the CD where Jesse's voice is not only focused on, but it is where his voice is magnified. The song, though written by Wride, was made for his voice. No one else could sing it with as much power and honesty as Jesse did.
"Taken Back"
Another beautiful song- starting out with beautiful piano, adding in Jesse's vocals. And when his voice goes into falsetto, your heart literally melts because you know he's right when he sings about how you're never where you thought you'd be, waiting for a red to change to green, but on your knees perspective is an easy thing- you're covered in black and darkness is the only thing you see… But as the song progresses, you are literally taken back- you actually begin to change, your heart changes. Even with all the things you lack, you get back in line… The harmonies starting at 2:26 give you goosebumps and its weird, you kind of want to get up and go. You want to be back in line, you want to get on your way and just be in a better place. And by the end of the song, you literally are in a better place.
"Spoken"
The song starts and you are taken over, filled with love. Love for these boys who create such a beauty- starting from the lyrics "I'm a sucker for your heartbeat, how the earth would move for your feet", to the instruments used throughout the piece. It's a happy song, it's a sad song, but it doesn't make you cry, unless you're me.
"Killer"
Then there's Killer- one of my favorite upbeat songs that gets you dancing! And you break the sound, as you call their name because you may feel like a nobody next to the cynic, but nonetheless, when this song is played you can think crap about anyone you want and you can feel like the queen of the crop. Ah! Love when at 1:13, and 2:26, Jesse sings "tip top of your world". You get to hear Jesse's voice at it's best in this song. When he's doing his singy-rap you honestly hear how skilled he is. And when you feel like a nobody, you resonate with the lyrics when they say "If i'm nobody, how'd I get here on the top of your world, the tip top of your world." Because you actually wonder that, ALL THE TIME.
"The Superhero Song"
YESSSSSSSS. And he doesn't just singy-rap, he RAP RAPS. And yes, you have taken all of our breaths away when you sing like this. And for the record, we believe you- you could SO be your own villain. p.s. We like your theme song. A LOT.
"Halfway"
We all have to admit we get anxious, we feel we may never be strong, we feel our friends are born again liars… When the chorus starts, we start to realize that we're doing alright- despite these struggles. We're doing alright. God made us fighters! And we realize "if the only thought I've ever had is you, that I'm halfway to a higher point of view." Okay, so taken out of context it makes less sense. But we could be brighter! If we just find that one person who sees our weaknesses and loves us not only despite those things, but because of those things- then we are doing alright, and we're halfway to a higher point of view.
"Sidewalks"
FAVORITE SONG ON THE ALBUM. Don't make me cry. It will not happen. Not happening. Stop it tears. Oh no, here they come… I feel like this song really speaks to me, and it probably speaks to you too. When you plan something out and you hope it'll work, but someone's always to blame, and someone won't ever compromise. Somehow it feels like your life is leading you down these sidewalks. And all the instruments and the melody really take you along that journey. And you realize you never had that chance to say what you wanted to say- I don't miss you all that much, but that's not true at all. Because I already know how these things go, and I already know that you had to go, and I already know that I'll miss you more and more each day. And you finally admit to yourself that they were right, you were right, I'll never be what you want me to be…. :/
SUMMARY:
Overall, I find this is their best record yet. Not because the melodies are sadder, or even brighter. Not because Jesse's lyrics resonate with me more than the others. Not because Sam is involved with the record, or because Austin and Court got better. All which are true. It's because every single song speaks to people- in a way that they didn't know was possible. The lyrics and melodies pull out emotions in you that you thought only you yourself knew- but here Jesse is singing the mysteries of your heart in these songs and the world knows your secrets. And for once you realize you're not alone. You've never been alone. I've never been alone.
So do yourself a favor, get yourself a copy. Play it over and over. Because sooner or later you're gonna wish you had a copy of your inner most secrets and desires. And this CD is exactly that. Just a little more public ;) But don't worry. No one will know it's your 'diary'- just you, and anyone you choose to let in. And hey- maybe it's time to let people in. It might be hard, but it might also be the only thing that'll make you stronger and keep you going. So thank j.wride while you can- for giving you the courage to be better, stronger, happier, and for helping you move on and move forward.
- J
