Saves The Day – Daybreak – Review

The third record in a conceptual trilogy that began with 2006′s “Sound the Alarm“ and continued with ”Under the Boards” in 2007, Saves The Days latest album “Daybreak” has been a long time in the making. It’s the bands first full-length in four years and happens to be almost exclusively filled with new members, (excluding band founder Chris Conley), featuring new bandmates, Arun Bali (lead guitar), Rodrigo Palma (bass), Claudio Rivera (drummer) on their emo rock roster. I hadn’t listened to the band since their popular single, “At Your Funeral,” which was featured on their genre staple effort “Stay What You Are.“

Even after all that has changed, those who claim this is no longer “Saves The Day” but rather “The Chris Conley Experience,” don’t really have a foot to stand on because “Daybreak” borrows much from Saves The Day‘s previous albums. The only difference with this effort is the concept behind it, where the first two concept records focused on Chris’ recent anger and depression and how they were affecting his life, the new album centers around his acceptance and growth as a person. This contributes to the record’s less angsty but still emotional lyrical backdrop. That’s not to say that Saves The Day (or maybe just Chris I should say) hasn’t matured and grown creatively, because they (he) has. Also another glaring change is the additional, often busy, effects-guided experimentation. Both which can be seen during the outings first song.

The  ten minute opening opus “Daybreak,” which is broken up into five sections, begins with a swooning set of twanged guitars that really digs in and sticks with you, while serving up spoonfuls of light-hearted singing, “So how could this be? Some how you love me” along the way — shifting from a harmony-filled pop rock track, to a silky-smooth jazzy portion of vibe-heavy rock, then finally landing on an acoustic strum-a-thon and a chorus repeat. Mean while, Chris’ high-pitched song bird voice contrasts the bands gain-heavy guitars, noticeable in “1984” and the single “Deranged & Desperate” which sports an addictive melodic riff feel of early 00′s American Hi-Fi.

The records first set of single letter tracks, “E,” “Z,” take fuzzy pedal mechanics to a set of melodic guitars, making sure your preconceived notions of early pop-punk Saves The Day are thrown loftily out the window, in exchange you receive spots of uncharacteristically patient and rhythmic indie rock which shows it self in the song “Chameleon.” On the other side of the spectrum, the band returns with rapid fire pop punk ala Relient K for their track “Living Without Love,” where Chris shares the positive lines, “Living without you, living without love, isn’t the life I need. No more tomorrow. No morning sorrow. Now it’s all up to me.”

As “Daybreak” draws to a close, “O” enters with solemn acoustic strums and endearing vocals, then builds to a effects-laden wall of sound and melodic bridgework, then back again — making for a short but sweet two and a half minute track.  Lastly, the album closer “Undress Me” acts as a pleasant slow-advancing rock track with delay pedal guitars and churning percussion.

Saves The Day has never had a problem expressing themselves properly and passionately. However, with rejuvenated new blood and time to plan and pine the writing for “Daybreak,” the group has created a sound that is far beyond their humble youthful beginnings and ever more along than their previous two records — ushering in maturity and perspective that has made a lasting mark on their fans and unbeknownst indie listeners alike. “Daybreak” is the most positive record of the conceptual trilogy as well as being the more advanced of the three — as the band has reached further and experimented more often then ever before. [Staff]

Score: 4 (out of 5)

Release Date: September 13th, 2011
Record Label: Razor & Tie Records
Genre: Pop Rock / Indie
RIYL: The Get Up Kids, Two Tongues, Lifetime

Track Listing:
1. Daybreak
I. Somehow You Love Me
II. Fucked Up Past the Point of Fixing
III. 8 AM
IV. Zig Zag
V. Daybreak
2. Let It All Go
3. 1984
4. E
5. Z
6. Deranged & Desperate
7. Chameleon
8. Living Without Love
9. U
10. O
11. Undress Me