Reviews

We all know that Senses Fail have problems with girls, as evidenced by their 2004 debut, Let It Enfold You, but you could make the same claim about half the bands signed to Drive Thru or Vagrant these days. It is definitely time for Senses Fail to take on some more hard hitting albeit particular fodder for songs. Still Searching is about a band in transition. On Still Searching, their sophomore album, they talk about feeling conflicted on religion ('The Rapture), their fans/fame ("To All the Crowded Rooms"), depression and sure, why not a girl or two (pretty much every other song on this). The record actually has a few contenders for some strong singles which was never the case before.
 
By lead singer Buddy's own admission the band has grown up alot since their first cd, "Enfold onto you", was released. He says that the songs were written back when they were all 18 and alot has happened to them since then. The CD even comes marked with a sticker saying "features "Calling All Cars" and "Can't Be Saved" which are odviously the tracks they are pulling to be singles. In the case of both songs they maybe exactly right. In each of these tunes the band turns down the metal-esque riffs and the screams and writes a really decent mid-tempo early Saves The Day kind of song. Not that there is anything wrong with that but the band clearly went through a bit of a stylistic change on these two that is worth noting. Like I said, Still Searching, captures the group in transition. Sure, they are not going to completely turn their backs on their style of music but Vagrant is probably rooting for a left of the dial MTV hit with a good video.    
 
Have no fear kids with black nail polish and Senses Fail t-shirts, there is still tons of post-teenage angst about the fallacies of love and drinking in mass quanties like the oddly named 'Bonecrusher". There is even a more old school, although the old school was only two years ago, Senses Fail track "Shark Attack" with some driving metal guitar and some gutteral screams from Buddy.  There is even a song for the "kids" 'To all the crowded rooms" in which the band thanks you for coming to their shows and supporting them which is a nice sentiment but it doesn't lend itself to the kind of crowd participation that an anthem of the magnitude they were going for.  
 
The band is writing catchier songs then they did on their debut. This might be inspired by fellow New Jersey musician and ex-Midtown guitarist Heath joining the band in 2005. Heath's playing does not stand out dramatically but you can almost see the switching of the gears if you really pay attention. Senses Fail is in the midst of changing their direction. They are transforming from a small band from Nowheresville New Jersey to a band with serious radio and music video ambitions. "Still Searching" will please the hardcore fans of the band but will leave them wondering what exactly is coming next for them.