Saosin - The Grey [EP]

Capitol

November 6, 2008, 07:08 PM

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Saosin release their third EP entitled 'The Grey', following their previous two ('Translating the name' and 'Saosin') and two full-length albums. The 5-track EP was at first a little disappointing, but after a few listens I began to like 'The Grey'.

Saosin's early music was fantastic and they picked up a record deal and a huge fanbase in the very early stage of their careers. However, the split of Anthony Green from Saosin caused much frustration amongst fans with the new vocalist Cove Reber trying too hard to recreate the same vocals as his predecessor. This can be heard through the entire self-titled album, and while I thought it was a remarkable LP, many fans were disappointed. Good news for those fans then, 'The Grey' begins a new era for the band as Rebers vocals finally sound like his own.

The first track 'Keep Secrets' provides a high-energy beginning to 'The Grey' with a fast drum-roll followed by the high-screech sounding guitars that are typical of Saosin. This song is well written and structured, with the verse providing some clever lyrics, which then conflicts with the more simple, but very catchy chorus. Just over halfway through the track their is a prominent screamo vocal section, which, while being fairly apparent in most of Saosins tracks, sounds far different (and in some respects better) due to the bassier voice of Reber, over the previous vocals of Green.

'Love Maker' is by far the best song. The chorus is extremely memorable and for me is the one thing I remember about 'The Grey' everytime I listen to it. The song reminds me of Saosin's most popular album ('Saosin') with the added touch of a new style of vocals. If I was Saosins manager, this would be the next single I would be releasing. If Saosin carry on with songs like this, I am very excited about what the future may bring for them and their fans.

The third track 'Why can't you see' gives a slightly different edge to 'The Grey'. The slightly bizarre guitar sounds throughout the verse would be my one fault if I had one, but it is unlike Saosin and so hopefully they won't be doing too much of this from now on. The chorus, however, is again catchy with some clever lyrics, and whatsmore the guitarists seemed to have rejoined Saosin throughout these parts of the song.

'The Grey' ends with two acoustic tracks, one is 'Come Close', an acoustic version of the song from the album 'Saosin' and an acoustic version of 'Love Maker'. Both provide a more melodic and calmer end to this high-powered EP. In fact, the 'Come Close' version is probably better than the original track. The backing vocals singing "This is who we are" during the chorus, demonstrates a new direction by Saosin, as harmonic vocals is not something Saosin have really experimented with successfully in the past. 'Love maker' is a decent song, however I feel the more emphatic, aggressive version is the better of the two.

All in all this is a great EP and is hopefully an example of what Saosin are aiming for with future releases. After all, they need to regain some of the lost fans and 'The Grey' is a huge leap on the way to doing this.

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