Band:	Silverstein
Album:	A Shipwreck in the …

Burlington, Ontario’s Silverstein are named after famous children’s author Shel Silverstein, and, in truth, have more in common with the author then most might think. Shel tried to make children’s literature more mature and introduce subjects beyond “see Spot run” or “the kitty got stuck in the tree.” Similarly Silverstein (the band) are trying to make a play to get their music out to a slightly more mature audience then before. With “A Shipwreck in the Sand”, Silverstein attempt to introduce an aspect of storytelling to their music, something every artists strives to do, but this record also makes a concerted effort towards growing their music to be more than just guitars and vocals.

To say that they’ve been totally successful would be a lie. The music is definitely on par with their past releases, featuring both singing and screaming. This is a style that fewer and fewer bands are relying on these days, but something that Silverstein has relied on heavily since their inception. Where it the album falls flat is in its storytelling. “Shipwreck’s” story is fractured and, at best, hard to follow. The two main story lines seem to be 1) a captain aboard a mutinous ship, searching for land, and 2) a family ravaged by a house fire, in which everyone has survived, but lives have been torn apart. There is little information available about the album’s story except for a short excerpt online, which does little to clarify the point of the story for the casual listener.

On the plus side, the music is consistent, definitely something we would expect from Silverstein. The band even manage to throw a few cameo’s on the album to generate some interest; Liam Cormier, lead singer of the Cancer Bats, guests on “Vices”, a particularly aggressive track that somehow manages to forget it’s breakdown roots. When you’ve got Liam Cormier throwing down on your track, you need to include the biggest, heaviest, most ridiculous breakdown of your career. I don’t care if you have to bring in outside musicians to get it that heavy, you represent.

On other tracks Silverstein really tries to branch out. On the title track, “A Shipwreck in the Sand”, they shoot for a more simple, quiet construction. Some of it works, but some of completely misses the mark. Silverstein knows what they do right, and they should stick to it. That being said, when Silverstein’s tried and true mix of sing along choruses and metal experiments are intact they will keep any fan happy.

Silverstein Official Site
Silverstein on MySpace
Silverstein - “A Shipwreck in the Sand” on Amazon

Release Date: March 31st, 2009

“A Shipwreck in the Sand” - Tracklist
(* recommended tracks)
Chapter One: It Burns Within Us All

• 1. A Great Fire
• 2. Vices (featuring Liam Cormier)*
• 3. Broken Stars

Chapter Two: Liars, Cheaters and Thieves

• 4. American Dream
• 5. Their Lips Sink Ships
• 6. I Knew I Couldn’t Trust You
• 7. Born Dead (featuring Scott Wade)

Chapter Three: Fight Fire with Fire

• 8. A Shipwreck in the Sand*
• 9. I Am the Arsonist
• 10. You’re All I Have

Chapter Four: Death and Taxes

• 11. We Are Not the World
• 12. A Hero Loses Everyday
• 13. The Tide Raises Every Ship
• 14. The End (featuring Lights)*

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