![]() Stories And Alibis has its share of flaws, especially considering just how unpolished songs sound at times, but if nothing else, this debut hits the bullseye in its ability to still come off as well-crafted and more importantly, enjoyable. This bluesy (and eventually hard-hitting) rock ballad gives a great look at how intelligent and heartfelt Matchbook Romance can be, as Jordan’s resounding promises of love echo on long after the song’s conclusion: “So close your eyes and sleep to dream / I’m by your side, no words to speak / We’ll set our course and make it through / No matter how far I go, my heart remains with you.” Commencing with a attention-grabbing drum roll, Ryan Kienle’s emotive bass adds another layer to the mix before the electric guitars and Jordan’s soft vocals join in to really dominate the song as it builds steam and passion. Serving as the best ballad in the band’s song catalogue, “If All Else Fails” helps Stories And Alibis wind down before the album’s closer. Matchbook Romance has a similar sound and mood throughout Stories And Alibis, but the smaller, unnoticed intricacies of songs like “My Eyes Burn” provide a glimpse of the band’s true versatility. ![]() “ My Eyes Burn” follows the impassioned and angry “Shadows Like Statues” with a lighter, poppy jingle that shows a more agreeable and accessible side while still maintaining the band’s edgy disposition. The melodic, hardcore tone doesn’t hit with this much impact for all of Stories And Alibis, but it does make the lighter, aesthetically pleasing punk jingles that follow all the more endearing. The guitar hooks and drums keep excellent pace, building up composed and rhythmic momentum that ignites for each commanding chorus. ![]() Ryan DePaolo’s blazing guitar riffs fading in and out, Aaron Stern’s sporadically magnificent drumming and Jordan’s gruff and impassioned vocals give this leadoff track hard rock firepower and make it the best of the album. Matchbook Romance never lived up to the potential of Stories And Alibis, but the rough likability of this one debut was more than enough to endear them in the emo community forever.įollowing a simple but momentum-building intro, “Your Stories, My Alibis” kicks the album off on a heavy, rocking note. From the fast-paced and up-tempo garage band sessions to the emotional and heartfelt ballads, this album serves as a prime example of slightly unrefined rock coming off as compelling music because of its untainted raw emo sentiment and intelligent hardcore composition. Although the finished product is a little rugged, it’s this very same verve that makes the band’s genuine charm stand out. With vibrant and moody guitar riffs, hard-hitting drumming, and lead singer Andrew Jordan bellowing out coarse and angsty notes, Matchbook Romance gives listeners an endearing, rough-around-the-edges experience that never really garnered mass appeal, but found a place in the hearts of a younger crowd. Ends at 3:40, untitled hidden track starts at 7:40.In their 2003 debut album Stories And Alibis, Matchbook Romance shows the poise and promising potential of a seasoned band, which is even more impressive considering the youthful audience their delectable brand of emo/rock targets."You Can Run, But We'll Find You." – 4:08.The track "Monsters" was featured as the lead single from Voices, going on to be featured in video games such as Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Madden NFL 07 and Arena Football: Road to Glory. Hence "there are voices in the walls." Some of the lyrics to the hidden track can also be found in typos in the lyrics of the other songs. This panel can be aligned with parts of the album's artwork to reveal secret messages. Inside the album's packaging is a small plastic panel, with alternating black and transparent strips. ![]() The cover of the album was designed by Shawn Harris from pop punk band The Matches. The band chose to tune the all their guitars down half a step to help with the change. Vocalist Andrew Jordan adopts a much different vocal style for this record than their previous, bringing the band closer to the second-wave emo sound.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |