Otherwise: True Love Never Dies, album review

There are plenty of reviews for this album out there, but I find them to be overly complicated or an entire post of arse-kissing. I’m not going to try to sell you the album or turn you against it, I’m just trying to give you a rough outlook on the album, song by song.

Out of the many songs Otherwise has, many of them are less than stellar. If I am being honest, Adrian Patrick’s voice is the only reason I consider Otherwise to be a decent band. Adrian has such a complexity to his deep vibrato, in which he can sing with a tone trademarked completely by himself and his screams are never screechy or annoying. The man in talent walking.

It should be known, that I appreciate the fact that in True Love Never Dies there is a decent amount of love songs, I am a sucker for such things in rock if they are executed like a real rock song.  I truly adore the lyrics in Die For You, such as “I’ll take what you give, but I won’t take it for granted” and there’s just something riveting about the way Adrian Patrick screams “Take my heart, just rip out”
Also, this album has those (I find pesky and fairly unnecessary) “breaks” or interludes that build into the upcoming song, so I won’t be giving these a review because…I don’t like them.

The first real song is Die For You. It starts off with an impressive, heavy intro and this continues with the first verse…but the chorus…is lacking. The chorus wimps out and the band starts playing this been-there-done-that-Daughtry-could-do-better-than-this tune. Then, the moment is saved when Adrian Patrick screams “So alive I’d die for you” and the chorus is over, flowing into another hard verse. Another thing I like about the verses in Die For You, is Adrian’s almost slow-rap (you probably disagree with that description).

Lighthouse….eh. This song doesn’t impress me, the music is ho-hum and so terribly lack luster I can’t think of a single compliment. This song, along with Scream Now, I Don’t Apologize (1,000 Pictures), Crimson and Full Circle can be very boring. They aren’t songs that I’ll ever put on repeat.

Don’t Be Afraid. I like this song, but it has the same illness as Die For You, the verses are really good; heavy guitar riffs and a catchy drum beat and then comes the chorus…*insert sigh here*

Vegas Girl is a classic example of a cliché rock song, and it’s songs like these that have stopped me from buying a Theory of a Deadman album, but I digress. It is really a shame, I think with a few changes to the music this song would be good. But, the lyrics here killed that chance, maimed it, buried it, and stomped on it’s grave.

Silence Reigns has received a lot of bad reviews, but honestly, it’s a good song. Otherwise’s music is at their best in Silence Reigns (nice and heavy), yes, there is still that annoying “wuss out” chorus, but it’s not to the extent of other songs. This song reminds me of Staind actually. (Also, compared to the first version of this song on another album, this version is out of the park)

Though Soldiers contains gimmicky lyrics, it is one of the best songs on True Love Never Dies, and really, I got past the lyrics quickly. It is a unique song, with diverse speeds that are not predictable and music that actually took creativity. Some people don’t like the war drums, but I think it adds a much needed element to this album as a whole.

Heaven is the only slow-tempo song here, it’s sweet and simple, a little bit more vulnerability would have been nice considering the bitter sweet topic. I suppose that was the reason for having Ashley Costello’s backing vocals, to add a certain level of timidity that Adrian can’t quite execute yet. It’s still a nice song.

Otherwise’s cover of Rolling In The Deep. This is a really good version of such an epic song. The fact that Rolling In The Deep could be done by someone other than Adele and actually be listenable tells us a lot about Otherwise. Though they aren’t quite to the level of the grand rock bands (Godsmack, Seether, Staind), they have the potential to be a solid contender for that title in the future. 

True Love Never Dies probably isn’t that album that you’ll blast in the car when you need a break from the world, however I think it’s worth purchasing if you are tired of your current playlist. Plus, Amazon has been selling a digital copy of TLND for five dollars for a while now, you can’t go wrong with five bucks!

"The Words You Said"

If you've visited this blog before (or know me) then you know I am in love with emotion and songs that bring out emotion in me. So, this post is going to be a bit personal.

Here is a list of songs that just grab my heart and refuse to let go by haunting my mind where it's been engraved.

They are in no particular order because I love them so, it would be a crime to say one is better than the other.

Remember Everything - Five Finger Death Punch

Contrary to popular belief, Five Finger Death Punch doesn't write lyrics that are all about hate or go nowhere in meaning...okay, they do sometimes, but other times songs like Remember Everything occur.
This song carries so much conviction, so much shame, guilt and perception, I would be lying if I said it didn't make me cry at times when I hear it.
The opening line "Dear Mother, I love you. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough" . . .personally, a part of me dies with emotion right then and there.
There is something so triumphant when Moody sings in the bridge "You say that I'll never change, but what the f*** do you know?"
I could quote the whole song and leave you sobbing, but I shall spare you. But you definitely should listen to these lyrics at some point, if you already have and feel nothing, listen closer or get your heart checked.

Under The Water - The Pretty Reckless

I used to wonder what this song was about, the opening lyrics still leave me slightly confused, but I feel that the true meaning of the words is for the lyricist to know.
The simplicity of this song is enough to grip one's soul, with a clean beat and Taylor Momsen's vocals (no real backing vocals) the song has a pure life of its own.
It almost has a heartbeat; slow and simple, then the band delivers their music as the song progresses. Down, up, down, up, slow, fast, slow, fast...
Then, in the bridge the whole band starts playing louder and she sings "Don't let me drown in the waves. I could be found, I could be one who is saved. ....Saved, saved, saved!".
I think the reason the lyrics touch me is the fact that she doesn't sound like she's begging for someone to save her, it sounds like she's trying to convince herself that she is strong enough to save herself.
For me, this song is more about inner struggle and fighting one's own demons than it is wanting someone to swoop in and actually "be saved".
Actually I suppose that fact is obvious with "I wasn't saved from me"


Whore - In This Moment

Stop. Stop right there.
Don't you dare judge this song for its title, or try to guess its meaning. This song is the epitome of emotion. Every lyric, every cord, every sound in Whore is a work of feeling.
 Pure FEELINGS.
"You probably thought I wouldn't get this far. You'd thought I end up in the back of car. You probably thought that I'd never escape, I'd be a rat in a cage, I'd be a slave to this place".
 Maria Brink accentuates the words that matter more with her screams as she says "You don't know how hard I fought to survive, waking up alone when I was left to die. You don't know about this life I've led, all these roads I've walked, all these tears I've bled"
I think these lyrics speak for themselves and the way they are sang gives me cold chills.
Now for the chorus, you shall see this song isn't at all what you first imagined "I am the dirt you created. I am your sinner, I am your whore. But let me tell you something, baby, you love me for everything you hate me for"

What's this life for - Creed

This song gets a bad wrap. People say it shouldn't be on the album and that the meaning is nonsense.
I say that sentiment is nonsense.
The lyrics do touch on several different topics, perhaps that is the reason why people dislike it...but I find the lyrics moving.
"I see your soul, it's kind of gray. You see my heart, you look away. You see my wrist? I know your pain" 
For me, I think the song is about the trouble's of life and the pain it produces. It sounds as if Scott Stapp is saying life was too hard for many people and they never learned what their purpose was. They'll never know because, (it sounds like) they committed suicide.
 Maybe it doesn't have a resolution in some people's eyes, but I have listened to this song and asked myself "What's this life for?" either questioning the song meaning or the obvious.


Circle - Flyleaf

We probably disagree over the meaning of this song.
For you it can be about whatever you need it to be.
But for me, this song is about Jesus and his sacrifice. Especially with this "His beautiful arm, is bloody and cut off. His heart ripped out to show me he loved me, but I would not believe him, he did all that he could. I still would not believe him"
I know there are people out there that think this song is a love song. It could be, but either way you take the song it is so terribly sad.
"I left his arms empty and tied, outstretched for me until he died" Circle is one of those few songs that made me cry the first time I heard it and to this day it gives me this oddly enjoyable sinking feeling.
It is definitely, without a doubt, about someone's sacrifice for the good of someone else, as Lacey Sturm sings the last part you can hear the desperation in her voice, making it so much more emotional.
She sounds so childlike as she whispers "Forgive me, believe me. Please come back to life...."


Silhouette of a life - 10 Years

"Forced myself to sleep last night...woke up to all white"
The lyrics of this song, to me, is from the viewpoint of someone who took their own life. The idea alone is sobering and somber. If I had to explain this song I would say it is like a glass of too-cold water; it's refreshing and yet it also hurts.
The music is quiet, clean and ethereal. With an acoustic guitar and mysterious noises echoing in the background, I think I hear water running at times.
Silhouette of a Life is entrancing, dare I say, numbing. You may ask why I would include a song I describe as "numbing"  on my list of most emotional songs. Maybe listening will make you understand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9PFgNfotIA


The Last Song I'm Wasting On You - Evanescence
Yet another song that makes me cry.
The music is made up of a beautiful piano piece and undaunted vocals without any layering or distortion.
It is about an abusive relationship, but it's not about being in one it's about surviving one.
The lovely thing about it is I think anyone can take at least one line from these lyrics and apply it to their life or a friend's life.
"Sicken in the sun. You dare tell me you love me? ...But you held me down and screamed you wanted me to die...honey, you know, you know I'd never hurt you that way...you're just so pretty in your pain" right then, it's too much for me.
But these next lyrics make the song worth the tears "Run, run, run...and hate me if it feels good, I can't hear your screams anymore. You lied to me, but I'm older now and I'm not buying baby. Demanding my response, don't bother breaking the door down. I found my way out, and you'll never hurt me again"
Anyone who has been abused or knows someone who has been abused, or even been lied to or made to feel unworthy will relate to this work of art.


Layne - Staind

"I heard today, that you were gone"
This Staind song was written for the late great Layne Staley. How does one describe this song? One Hundred Percent True.
I actually just heard it for the first time, but the emotions I'm having right now tells me that Layne deserves to be in this list.
It shows how we all have heroes, Mr. Staley was a hero for the members of Staind. Even if you aren't a fan of Alice in Chains or Staind, I bet you can relate and feel something for these lyrics:
"The words you said, you made me feel like they were all for me. The words you said, they will always be a part of me. The words you said, you made me feel like I was not alone.  The words you said, you gave me all the strength to carry on"


Burning Bright - Shinedown

This song I relate to the most from my list.
"I feel like there is no need for conversation. Some questions are better left, without reason." the line I love the most follows "I would rather reveal myself than my situation."
Burning Bright is about ignoring the way you feel inside, ignoring the darkness/loneliness/pain (be what it may) and acting like everything is fine. There's no reason to talk about your issues.
"The more the light shines through me, I pretend to close my eyes. The more the dark consumes me, I pretend I'm burning, burning bright.."
Songs that I relate to move me the most, so when someone sings about putting on a façade for everyone's good or perhaps for denial, I can't help but stop and 'breathe' the song in.
Lyrics that become a friend because you have so much in common, are the reason I adore music so much.
"There's nothing ever wrong, but nothing's ever right" *insert heartbreaking here*
This song deserves a link, please watch it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO2QId331PE


There it is, my personal diary of songs. I hope you find them as moving as I do.

P.S. I apologize for saying "to me", "for me" and "I" too many times than can be deemed necessary in this post.