Straylight Run

Let me just start out by saying that I don't like most of the frontrunners in the emo movement today. Most of them are bland, unoriginal, and not talented. This band, however, is a breath of fresh air. I first heard this album when I was determined to not like it because there are two ex-members of Taking Back Sunday involved. I couldn't keep this mental block up though. This cd eventually broke in. I'll go over the songs:

1. The Perfect Ending - (5/5) This song was not a good sign if I was trying to not like this band. This song really got to me. Very relatable in my life and done very well. I know it may sound like a little inferior recording quality at first, but it is actually done really well. One of my favorites.
2. The Tension And The Terror - (4/5) Not as good as the song before it. This one is much poppier than the last one. This one would have worked as a radio hit. Not the greatest lyrics on the cd or anything, but still a good song.
3. Existentialism On Prom Night - (5/5) If you have heard this band before, this is most likely the song you have heard. This one hit the radio airwaves, as well it should have. This song is amazing. I love every aspect of it. The lyrics, the music, the vocals...everything.
4. Another Word For Desperate - (5/5) Geez. The lead singer is upset. I love this song. It is possibly my favorite track on the album. Great lyrics. Great music. Extremely well put together. Pretty emotional song.
5. Mistakes We Knew We Were Making - (5/5) Only song that could have followed 'Another Word For Desperate'. While the track before it is very upset, this seems to be the calm after the storm. This song has hopeful lyrics, but not like, happy fuzzy stuff thankfully. It's like after someone has been hurt emotionally and they are recovering.
6. Dignity & Money - (4/5) Bear with this song. I did not like when the vocals first came in, but it really picks up after that. I really enjoyed this song by the end of it. Solid song.
7. Your Name Here (Sunrise Highway) - (4/5) The other song you may have heard from these guys. Thought it was okay at first but not great. It really grew on me over time. Lyrics aren't particularly great on this one, but it's still very enjoyable.
8. Tool Sheds & Hot Tubs - (5/5) The first song that is led by Michelle. She has a beautiful voice. This song is much happier and dancier than the rest. The lyrics aren't as happy as the song makes you believe, but still a lot of fun to listen to.
9. It's For The Best - (5/5) John leading again. The piano in this one does a lot for the song. I love the lyrics. Some of the best on the album in my opinion. Musically is very well put together. Vocals are done well. Just a great song.
10. Now It's Done - (5/5) Michelle leading again. This song is another one in contention with 'Another Word For Desperate' for my favorite song on the album. Great lyrics, a really great vocal performance, and put together nearly flawlessly in my opinion. Builds up to a climax that is done well.
11. Sympathy For The Martyr - (4/5) I like this song quite a bit. Pretty good one to end it on. Not one of the top 3 on the album, but still very good.

They end it where they need to, which is good. If it had gone much longer it would've started getting old, but they did a great job balancing it out. Usually I am wary of brother-sister bands, but this one is very good. The two are very close, and it is easy to see that. I highly recommend this album. I think it's one of the best albums to come out over the past few years.

Nice rich poppier melodies and sophisticated lyrics that flow make for a well critically acclaimed album. They were an emo "secret" before they finally released their anticipated album with Existentialism on Prom Night. The Tension and the Terror should've been another hit as it's got a catchy melody throughout, open hard to say out lyrics like "awkward just start stalling conversation" and John Nolan makes these lyrics and others work well. Nolan made these songs based on his personal experiences mostly, and the issues dealt with include the very common theme of love, greed, and hurt.
The main qualm someone could have with this album is that some of the songs sound very similar and may be too slow, but a good ear and appreciation for pop music make this one a keeper!

You can listen to the entire album straight, not just a couple of good songs, but an entire album of great songs!

After a good listen.... I think they should have stuck to their day job.

I have had this album for a while. I have listened to it more times than I can count. All I can say is that this is a amazing album. I never seem to get sick of it. "the perfect ending" is one of my favorites. It is really simplistic and has so much emotion to it. Well... the whole Cd has emotion to it but, that song really sticks out for me. This CD is quite a bit more calm and mellow than Taking Back Sunday. Every song is unique and has its own feel to it. This album is definetly worth listening to.

The new Straylight Run Cd is a far cry from the great first effort.
I was expecting real good things out of the album, and with the excpetion of one song i can honestly say this album is garbage. "Who will save us now" I must say is a track that everyone needs to listen to regardless of musical taste, other than that not much really works, if you are epecting music that rivals that of Straylight Run's first Cd, then honestly this cd is a waste of money, but to each his own

I've been a huge Straylight Run fan from the time they dropped their promo album, which I'm still convinced is better than their proper self-titled album. Their EP "Prepare to Be Wrong" showcased Michelle's vocals about as equally as their self-titled album, completely different from "The Needles the Space." Instead of the usual lineup where John sings lead and Michelle does backup and one or two songs on lead vocals, here Michelle is given about equal weight as her brother, singing lead on 5 of the 12 songs containing lyrics.

Her voice is normally lovely and soft, but is inconsistent here, especially in "How do I Fix My Head?" where she alternates her haunting vocals with Gwen Stefani-esque drawls in the chorus. "Cover Your Eyes" and "This is the End" are classic Michelle, but "The Miracle that Never Came" and "Still Alone" remind me of burlesque or circus music... largely disappointing. Generally, the songs which have Michelle on lead vocals just don't fit with the Straylight Run I've known and loved.

My criticism isn't of Michelle alone. I'm upset that the band as a whole made the decision to put out such an inconsistent album in terms of style and flow. I was above all shocked at the lack of originality in John's lyrics. Where are the introspections, emotions, and amazingly descriptive one-liners? Maybe John's "had enough of all of these songs of self-imposed unhappiness" and is trying to distance himself from the 'emo' label. Even though there are some changes to their sound, John overall seems bored, too comfortable, and routine here. He is consistent in terms of his vocals and is well complemented by his sister on his lead songs, most notably in "The Words We Say," "Buttoned Down," and "The First of the Century," but without Michelle, these songs would be dimensionless.

It is disappointing when taken as a whole, but I absolutely wouldn't skip getting this album because there are some great songs on it which stand out amidst the hodge-podge ones. Especially if you've followed the band members through their careers, it's interesting to hear how much they've changed. Just prepare to be confused.

Less consistency than I was expecting, but still a good album from start to finish. Includes a couple of melodies you won't be able to get out of your head and poetic lyricism.

When i first bought this cd i had only heard the first CD of straylight run and i was quite impressed with the intricate lyrics and soothing music. But when i started listening to The Needles The Space i was stunned at how much the two albums had differed and i was kind of disgusted at how different it was. But after a few more listens at the whole album, i came to be impressed by how they have transitioned to something more unique and themselves and they have not strayed away from the complex lyrics that made them.

First of all i think we all agree that Straylight Run is good. No if's, and's, or but's about they truly are talented, however these reviews are not about the overall skill of a band. They are about how good the album they produced is. That being said, i would definitely characterize this as a step backwards in musical production from Straylight. There's a reason most musicians don't use mandolin's and other vague instruments on an album: It doesn't really sound that good! Yes there is a time, place, and purpose for many instruments, but not all of them can be the backbone to an album. (I think Yellowcard with the violin probably deserves major props for what they pulled off years ago). It is also generally expected that when you pick a genre of music you usually stay within reason, fairly close to your original roots. Why you ask? Because thats your fan base. I mean really the notion that an album is good just because they didn't play what everyone else is playing is just down right naive. However if there is one strong point about the album its that the lyrics as always are definitely well written, and even with bad back-up vocals. they still stand out. But if i had a choice between this album and a cd full of nature sounds, i would probably choose the nature cd it would put me to sleep just a hair faster.

but the shere number of right-wing emo idiots on this site really is just pissing me off. One: this is a good album. It's got very nice songs, and they are well written and sound good. Two: everyone here keeps saying that the political lyrics "don't take away" from the album. Here's a thought: why can't they add to the album? Considering that some of them are quite good, why would they be tearing our "country and troops down", because they are just voicing their opinions. But then again, that is a luxury these days. I wonder what these people think when they listen to a Thursday album. Three: this is actually a good ep. It's short, sure, but all eps are, and there are some great songs on it. That's it. You should buy it, because, at least these days, Straylight Run is much, much more interesting than mainstream darlings TBS that Straylight broke off from.

OK, so I guess I'd have to agree with some of the things people are saying: yes, it is repetitive; yes, it is politically-driven; yes, it is too short. But for me this is one of those CDs that could have been sung in Greek and it would have moved me emotionally. A previous reviewer was completely correct in saying that Straylight creates a mood rather than a song, and that is what I'm looking for from my music. "With God On Our Side" is one of the most hauntingly beautiful, yet simple, songs that I have heard in years; it's a fitting cover for a Dylan song. All in all, just lovely.

May I never listen to this CD every again.

First of all I love the production on this album. This was because John took over all production duties. I must admit there is a big feel of anti-war throughout the EP, but it doesn't take anything away from it. The first track "I Don't Want This Anymore" starts off with Michelle's angelic voice singing "i dont want this anymore" and you automactically know this a bit of a departure from the debut. Then comes "It Never Gets Easier" I love this track, it was originally called "Costello" but they rerecorded it and it sounds so much better. Then comes the jewl "A Slow Decent", many of you might remember it from the demos that they released on their website before they even put out a cd. This is probably one of my favorite songs ever recorded by Straylight Run. I was very happy it made he EP. You can't really prepare yourself for the next song "Hands in the sky(Big Shot)." Its very electronic and slow at first and then leads up to these war sounding drums as John's raw screams take over your ears. This is their first single. its amazing. The next song "Later That Year" is definitly a anti-war song with the lyrics "we did the math and it wasnt worth it after all" starting mid song unitl the end of the song. The repetion somewhat reminds me of Taking Back Sunday. You'll find yourself singing along singing "we did the math..."
Then the last song starts. What a incredible song to finish the EP. It's a cover of Bob Dylan's "With God On Our Side." Most bands that try to cover Bob Dylan these days fail miserably, but Straylight Run do it so well its impossible to not get a bit emotional with the great vocals and amazing piano chords. If the EP only consisted of this song I would buy it. It amazing.
You wont be dissappointed with this EP. Check It Out!! More Great things will Come for this Great Band.

there was freedom of speech!!!! let the bands speak! everybody else gets to do it!... comedians,actors,sports figures,and so on.... pls people let the bands speak through the music, don't sit there and try to take away their voice. remember at the end of the day it is their opinion!