saves the day
by Eli
saves the day is probably my favorite band (or if not my number one favorite definitely in my top 5). i first actually started listening to them my freshmen year of college when hannah burned me a mix cd of some of their stuff. that mix cd was awesome, and it really opened my eyes to them. the cd had songs from about 4 albums (the 4 they had out at the time), and the cool part was that i had no pre-conceived notions about them and the mix cd didn’t have the songs organized in any way. i had no idea what songs were part of what album, what songs were new, what songs were old, etc etc. that was such a cool way to be introduced to a band because it totally eliminated the factor that turns most people away after a while: “i liked their old stuff a lot better.”
after i became comfortable with the 20 or so songs on that mix i started downloading more and filling in the gaps and organizing the albums, and i was shocked. it was amazing to finally see what songs “belonged” together, what songs came first, what songs came last, and what songs were the favorites.
as far as pop/punk/rock bands go, saves the day is pretty diverse. their first record, “can’t slow down,” was quite aplty named: it rocked really hard and really fast, a very solid and well done punk record. the most amazing thing to me was that most of the members of the band were about 16 when that record came out (1998). if you get a chance to listen to it, or if you haven’t listened to it in a while, do so and try to imagine 16 year olds… it’s hard (sexual pun NOT intended).
with the release of each album from then on, they mellowed just slightly and mixed in a few different elements. it is at this point that people began the “i liked their older stuff better” rants and begin to fall off: they were too slow, too whiny, to weird, etc etc. i don’t know what it was, but i began to like them even more. the last 2 records have been 2 of my favorites, with much more interesting songs, despite the change in rock from their first two records.
now enter “sound the alarm,” their most recent album that just came out about 2 weeks ago. i’ve only listened to it about twice through, but it is amazing, and as shane said, “this record is serious.” what i love about it is the return to their past (the faster, harder punk) with hints of their present and future (more interesting songs, melodies, lyrics).
i have uploaded a copy of this album to my server and encourage you all to download it and have a listen. i know that not all of you are saves the day fans, but if you listen to it not as a record from a certain band but just as music, i think you’ll like it.
saves the day: sound the alarm
a note for the not so computer literate: the above link will take you to a list of mp3s. you can click each one individually and listen to them right there in the browser (if you have quicktime installed) or you can right click (mac users: control click) and download/save the files to your computer. enjoy!
the first time I heard saves the day was when xHORIZONx played with them years ago. We were supposed to go on at a certain time and they cried and complained about how they wanted to go on, so we let ‘em. They were jerks and assholes, and I have not wanted to listen to there music ever since. Fuck those guys. (but I will listen to those mp3s…thanks, E).
And that was back when they were still kind of nobodies…I can’t imagine what they’re like now that they’re pretty famous. geez.
yeah, i think that i’ve heard that story before, and i think that i heard that it was at some tiny little place downtown that ten times over ended up playing at with some other hardcore bands.
Yup.
this has nothing to do with your post but i wanted to let you know that i really appreciate your words. it means a lot to me. so thank you
I also wanted to thank you for the words E, but that has little to do with you post. Thanks.
brandon, you are such a jerk. simple as that. jerk.
thanks, I really wanted to hear this album. I listening to it right now…and I remember that show..I left when Saves the Day played b/c it was like 100 degrees in the venue and N8 and I saw Cannibal Corpse the day before in Columbus at Alrosa Villa where Dime Bag die year after…
i agree with you 110 percent about everything you have stated about STD [i love that they're anagram (or whatever that word is) is STD. kinda like jimmy eat world's awesome anagram]. i believe that their newer stuff is much more interesting aurally and the melodies are well-crafted. they are a solid, yet incredibly under rated band. tomorrow too late off of in reverie is one of the sickest songs ever recorded. but, yeah…good call.
@DMoney – i almost saw them here in seattle but i hadn’t got the album yet and i wanted to wait to see them like so i could know the songs off of the new one.
@DK – thanks for the big ups danny. it’s good to hear the good word from one of my favorite old friends! just reading your words here makes me want to give ‘ol DK a big fat hug.