Empty flasks filled with pessimism and youthful angst fuel Jersey vagrants Senses Fail's Life is Not a Waiting Room L.P.
Following 2006's Still Searching, the quintet acquired former Hot Water Music bassist Jason Black to solidify a constantly changing lineup. His addition, alongside the increased presence of former Midtown guitarist Heath Saracen, provides enough musicianship to create an immersive album.
Unfortunately, the same pitfalls that have plagued Senses Fail on all of their releases mars a potentially great album.
"Fire Works at Dawn" opens the album slowly, seamlessly transitioning into the relentless assault of double bass, blistering guitar solos and smoldering screams heard on "Lungs Like Gallows."
Waiting Room is at its best when the band features lead singer Buddy Nielsen's howling vocals and puts a greater emphasis on Saracen's heavier riffs as heard on "Wolves at the Door."
The track includes another round of machine gun drumming and intertwines screams with more melodic vocals, providing one of the highlights of the album.
Nielsen's vocal range, or lack thereof, mixed with his bland lyricism really puts the rest of the band's talents to waste.
"Hair of the Dog" includes masterful guitar-work throughout, but an incredibly cliche chorus drags the song down into oblivion.
"Was there ever a time we weren't dying and I wasn't lying/ this is my last goodbye/ I've hurt you enough," sings Nielsen.
Despite shortcomings, the band intermittently finds its niche with "Ali for Cody;" which is one of the rare times a breakdown is offered to listeners. The song is unforgiving with its stellar drumming and backup screams issued from Saracen, adding up to the hardest track on the album.
And on the first single, "Family Tradition," Senses Fail sounds most in unison with each other with an incredibly catchy chorus and some of the smoothest musicianship heard on the entire album.
"So help me please someone come quick, I think I am losing it/ Forgive me I inherited this from a stranger I'll never miss."
Life is Not a Waiting Room is incredibly hit-or-miss as many tracks seemingly produced for modern rock radio fall flat, but truly shines when the bands musicianship is allowed to be a little heavier.
If listeners can tolerate Nielsen's weak prose and tone-deaf vocals, this album is worth a shot. But for those waiting for the best Senses Fail album to date, prepare to remain still searching.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
