Search - Outsmarting Simon :: Silent Sober & Sound

Truly a great album

sjahalloween | 01/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When visiting a friend of mine last Fall who is in a band, he took me to a small establishment in New York State called The Oasis, where I first become aware of the band who were in the line up to perform that evening. I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed by what I saw and heard, even more so after listening to their album on cd later.Now I may not be in a band let alone have the ability to pick up a guitar and play some chords, but I've learnt to recognize and appreciate certain music, for what it is, and how it engages me. These guys have recognizably individual talent that makes the collective works of the band truly inspirational and a pleasure to listen to. Every sound, note, tone, key, voice, whatever, a wide range of qualities that come together perfectly like a subliminal mathematical musical jigsaw. There is a combination I noticed, a unique quality in their music, hard for me to find elsewhere, (other than perhaps Phantom Planet,) maybe this is why I like it so much. It's not harsh, it's controlled well, with varied great melodies. In the singing there is a voice with expression and feeling. There are pieces that seem to express some underlying inner qualities. It's engaging music to listen to and drift away with.The scene is set for a great album right from the opening with the non-lyrical instrumentals only of the first track, through some fantastic pieces balanced throughout such as the incredibly awesome 05.04.68, With Five Words, Racing A Train, and Silenced By Cars, to cite just a few.I'm glad that I got the opportunity to see this band perform. This band, have the potential for more beyond Silent Sober and Sound. They certainly have something unique to offer, especially if you connect with it and feel it. Listen and appreciate."

Subtle but not subdued

William Tanko | Perth Amboy, NJ United States | 08/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"really really good music. subtly but not sheepishly emotional, with distinctly post-hardcore features, topped with amazing vocals and hypnotic song structure..

the day i bought the CD, it soared into the top list of my most favorite CDs.

for fans of Benton Falls, Armor For Sleep, Last Days of April and Thursday..."

Utterly amazing!

Nemroid | 09/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the opening intro track "The Ties" all the way through the ambitious finale "And Matter", Outsmarting Simon truly takes listeners for a thrilling non-stop hour-long ride. The amazing thisng about this album is not just the brilliant tempo changes from song to song, but the mastering of these changes within each song.



There are plenty of "emo" bands out there who simply count on their carefully crafted lyrics to invoke their emotions. Some count on their whiny vocals, yet other bank on their cliched guitar riffs. But when you listen to these 4 Jersey guys, there is no faking anything. Everything is heartfelt, from PJ's powerful vocals to Brian's Michael Jordanesque drumming (if you've ever seen these guys live, his facial expressions are perhaps more amazing than their music) to Greg and BK's raspy screams.



Taking songs out of context, it's a wonder the slow-paced "Taylor Led A Chorus" can fit on the same album with a rocker like "...And So Ends The Drought". But that's the beauty of this album. There are so many individual standouts on this album, led by "Drive By Monologue", "Farewell Sunshine", "Hub City Hookers", and "Silenced By Cars". All of the even numbered tracks are songs that one would hear on the radio. But it is all those tracks between these that really bring out the quality of those aforementioned tracks. Every song is its own piece of art, amazing by itself, but even more amazing cleverly pieced in with all the others. I still get chills every time I hear "The lipstick on your face has turned a shade of gray" in Drive By Monologue. You'll see what I mean with one listen. Listen to this album from start to finish and you will NOT be disappointed. You might even have a new favorite album. I know I do."