Saosin had a lot to prove to their fans in their sophomore album, In Search of Solid Ground, and even though this album was a bit of a change up for the five piece, it delivers the same punch as their self-titled release of 2006. Fans of the bands first release may be a little disappointed in the fact that this record may be less technical but In Search of Solid Ground delivers a different kind of satisfaction.
Starting off hot with I Keep My Secrets Safe is a fast paced, action packed four minute song which will give fans a nice reminiscence of the bands earlier release three years prior. Even though this song is an all around delight, the stand out point comes in the bridge where we hear front man Cove Reber scream his heart out. A great surprise to fans and an excellent start to the record.
In the band’s first single, Changing, we see something very different that no one has ever heard from Saosin. As always, Alex Rodriguez brings his insane drumming skills to the forefront as Cove lays out a very unique and interesting melody for the verse. The chorus swings in and even though the instrumentals stay fairly basic, the vocal line is what carries the weight. Even more impressive are Chris Sorenson’s base lines as he rips it up and down the neck, including a little taping in the bridge. Overall, a good song but I’m not too sure it was a good choice for their first single.
The Alarming Sound of a Still Small Voice and Nothing Is What It Seems offer something new from the Newport Beach natives while What Were We Made For? and Deep Down show off the bands ability to write something more mainstream. The real gem in this record belongs to the eight and a half minute Fireflies (Light Messengers), showing just how much this band has matured the last three years in an epic piano based ballad to end the record. The list goes on and on as each song brings to the table something different we haven’t seen yet from Saosin.
But of course, no new record or band gets off the hook without a little criticism. Although I feel like Cove Reber has written some of his catchiest melodies in this album, his lyrics seem uninspired and become very repetitive. There are only so many ways you can write about a girl or a relationship. The guitars are the hands down biggest disappointment for this album. The self-titled had so many riffs that by the end of it I thought my head was going to explode. I’m not sure if Justin Shekoski and Beau Burchell have found a rough patch in their writing or if they were going for something different, but their guitar playing seemed to make the last record. A-Rod is the best drummer in the game right now in my opinion and although he drums his face off for the new record, he seems to be holding back maybe just a little. Another pet peeve I’m beginning to develop are heavy (or at least heavier than pop music) rock bands getting songs produced by John Feldmann. Now, don’t get me wrong, he is a genius at what he does and is one of my favorite producers, but he just does not belong in the Saosin world.
Overall, if you compare In Search of Solid Ground to the bands self-titled it’s just not right. These are two very different albums that bring out two very different sides of one band. Their equally as impressive and any fan of rock music in general will enjoy both of them. These guys take a lot of criticism from fans, and maybe rightfully so, but we must remember that this is a very young band. If Saosin can manage to find a middle ground for their third album (granted nothing happens to prevent that) than we are all in for a major treat. The bottom line here is this is a well-rounded, unique record and as far as I’m concerned, one of the best of the year. I highly recommend you buy it whether you’re a fan of the band or not, and I also suggest you listen to it a couple times before you shoot out an opinion. As times change in the music industry and as bands seem to be releasing unsatisfactory records over and over again, fans will be happy to see that Saosin has found solid ground on this one.
