Saosin - In Search OfSolid Ground (AussieRules Edition)

Wed 7th Jul, 2010 in Music Reviews

Five piece post-hardcore group Saosin has re-released their second record In Search Of Solid Ground, originally released at the end of last year. The ‘Aussie Rules Edition’ includes three bonus tracks, two of which are just different versions of songs from the original album.

After the success of the band’s self titled debut, the pressure to release an even better follow-up was enormous. For the most part, In Search Of Solid Ground is better, the song writing has matured, the sound is more defined and front man Cove Reber seems more comfortable lyrically.

The negatives are that at times, the songs can sound very similar to one another, which was a much bigger problem on the first record than it is on this one. Opening track I Keep My Secrets Safe demonstrates straight away how far the band has come musically between records, the guitars have more attack and the drum lines are experimental and adventurous.

It is quite obvious that Saosin have tailored the music on this album to be more user friendly; single Changing contains accessible vocal hooks and a chorus that tries to be catchier than it actually is. The song lengths are also a lot longer this time around, with tracks such as On My Own and the album closer Fireflies (Light Messengers) extending to include atmospheric electronic interludes, this works well and makes these particular songs the standouts.

The bonus content of the ‘Aussie Rules Edition’ includes an acoustic version of Changing, a b-side called Bury Me which was recorded during the same sessions as the rest of the album, and a live version of Fireflies recorded at the Hurley Studios performance that was included as a DVD with the original release.