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themusicenthusiast · 7 years ago

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Album Review: ‘Erase Me’ by Underøath

Metalcore. Post-hardcore. Whatever you want to label Underoath, there’s no denying that they rose through the ranks of the genre(s) they fit in to become a definitive voice of it, helping establish a gold standard for it and being inimitable in the process. Their breakup was inevitable, just as it is for any band – certain to happen sooner or later. The same could be said of the reunion tour that brought them back to the stage throughout 2016 and 2017. But just what kind of implications would the Rebirth Tour have? Was it simply a way for Spencer Chamberlain, Aaron Gillespie, Tim McTague, Chris Dudley, Grant Brandell, and James Smith to reunite and savor the past one last time before laying Underoath to rest for good? Or would that word “rebirth” become more symbolic than any fan would dare hope for? After all, with now eight years having passed since their last album, new music from the acclaimed group seemed destined to be nothing more than wishful thinking. And then came the announcement of Erase Me.

Set for release on April 6th (and out via Fearless Records), it will be the boldest collection of songs to date from Underoath, who abandoned their former way of thinking when it came to penning this new music. “That’s not Underoath enough,” Chamberlain has been quoted as saying, that being their previous criteria when crafting music. Unshackled by it, they have become free to let the music take them where it may instead of working to achieve one specific sound. That has allowed the six-piece outfit to grow and expand as both individuals and a collective. The result may be surprising to some longtime fans, and others may be unreceptive to it all together. However, even if the mindsets have evolved and the styles have progressed, the eleven new songs that comprise Erase Me aren’t a complete departure from Underoath’s roots. That’s demonstrated with the lead track, “It Has To Start Somewhere”. Some melodic chords to get it underway, it quickly hits the ground running. “If my tongue is the blade, then your hand is the gun. One of us ain’t going home tonight!�� Spencer Chamberlain loudly proclaims, making it sound like a threat, his voice complementing that intro as he clearly enunciates the words. Nothing on Erase Me may be the same type of heavy as stuff from Underoath’s past, though they compensate for that with a newfound sense of intensity and urgency, that first track thrusting the listener right in the midst of the beautiful and elegant chaos. Chamberlain frequently taps into his heavier abilities as a vocalist, guttural screams punctuating the desperate cries that are the choruses. The percussion is the clear driving force behind “It Has To Start Somewhere”, Gillespie’s drumming being merciless and adding immensely to the ferocity of the track. A full throttle song that has a no-holds-barred approach, lyrically it establishes a thread that will be a common one for the duration of the album. They haven’t changed their approach to writing songs in that regard, this one hinting at a lack of self-worth while also alluding to subjects like substance abuse and dependency and the desire to be something more than what you currently are. The two singles released in advance of Erase Me come in rapid succession, as Underoath hastily works to fully captivate the listener. It works, “Rapture” standing not just as one of the strongest tracks on the record, but one of the best of the band’s career. If any song is deserving of representing this new era, it is that one. It marks a foray more into hard rock or alt-metal territory, the group excelling at it. Dudley’s work on the keys is more prominent on the riff-centric number that features a gorgeous lull and an impassioned delivery from Chamberlain as they continue to delve into a toxic relationship. Be it with or person or personifying a substance. By the time the third song, “On My Teeth”, is finished, Underoath has the listener hook, line and sinker. No matter how many times fans may have already listened to what was the lead single, in the context of the full album it’s presented in a different light. After the previous songs, it strikes one as being more vehement and aggressive than ever, proving that Chamberlain, Gillespie, McTague, Dudley, Brandell, and Smith are still in touch with their brash side. It’s stunning, the way the guitars, bass, drums and keys coalesce, such as how the heaviest beats are timed perfectly with the loudest of the vicious screams, enhancing the overall impact. In absolute control and evoking their earlier years, the six of them demonstrate pure mastery over the heavy and devastating track that is tinged with metalcore elements, making it the most blistering song that Erase Me has to offer. An unflinching and self-reflective look at the creature a person has become, “ihateit” is easily the most personal and emotional song found on Erase Me. It’s abounding with phenomenal lines, like the regret-filled “…Somehow, I fell back into habits that tear me apart. I never got to say I’m sorry…” or the chorus, “You’re the only thing that gets me high and I hate it!” and the second verse, “I’m tangled up in my own image, but I hate who’s staring back at me,” both of which are drenched in self-loathing. Chamberlain very much sounds like a person who despises what they are, going on to admit being a user of not just things but people, disgusted by those personal actions. It ebbs and flows spectacularly, building from something serene that is behooving of the self-reflective nature of the track to a monstrous piece, the seething anger seeping through at every turn, symbolic of self-hatred that is being experienced. “ihateit” is a shining example of how powerful a song can be when everything is done in a full concerted manner. The lyrics and the music work in perfect harmony with one another, the vocalist working overtime to ensure every nuanced emotion is articulately expressed. In this instance that results in a grand scope for a song whose magnitude is off the charts. Fans may perceive other songs as being different, though the only truly offbeat one is “No Frame”. It’s a venture into, of all things, electronica, hints of rock eventually being worked into it. Ambient and dystopian, it is, without question, uncharted territory for Underoath. Heavy on the keys and with some synthesizers brought into the mix, it is totally experimental by their standards. Surprisingly, as out of their realm as it may be, they pull it off magnificently. Another song with an immaculate flow, the guitars, drums and bass are slowly layered atop everything, culminating in an epic counterbalance to the otherwise atmospheric tone and at times effects-laden, soupy vocals. One could view “No Frame” as being outside of Underoath’s wheelhouse, as it is. It could also be viewed as them expanding their wheelhouse and exploring some intriguing and profound new depths that further revitalize them. Plenty of other excellent offerings also adorn Erase Me, further fleshing out the story that helps tie everything together, ultimately reaching a thrilling conclusion; the album as a whole having somewhat of a cinematic flare to it. It may not be as overt as some artists make it, but it’s present, every song in one way or another circling back to that theme of dependency, concluding with a track that admits the ways a person has failed themselves and those that care for them, asking for a hand in helping them on the road to recovery. That’s one of the most engrossing components of Erase Me. There’s a larger story driving everything, one that the musicians are wholly invested in and one that is apt to resonate with a lot of people. Perhaps not every song, but many are certain to connect with one or two on a personal level. Now, that’s not meant to undercut what the six of them have accomplished in the musical realm with Erase Me, either. This is Underoath making an attempt at longevity. Their legacy always will be intact or would have been had a reunion not been in the cards. Despite what the title may suggest, Erase Me isn’t trying to negate that at all. Rather, it’s more about starting anew. Getting a blank slate so that embarking on a different path is easier. Something that’s applicable to a life journey every bit as much as it is a musical one. Erase Me is the product of a mature and refined Underoath, but honestly, it isn’t as radically different as some may consider it to be. The band has been perpetually evolving since day one, every album bringing something new to the table. The only thing different now is that they’ve embraced the maturity that comes with age and allowed that to be reflected in their music, no longer chasing after one specific sound. But don’t think for a minute that they have sacrificed their edge because of that. This record has it all. It’s daring and dangerous. Violent yet serene. Mournful and angry. It incorporates some fantastic lulls that add to the enormity of the emotions that are woven together throughout it. There is some familiarity to the music, segments being a bit radio friendly, yet it all still sounds new and different. It’s also worth noting that Erase Me is practically a complete separation (for the band as a unit) from the faith that was so crucial to them early on. Nevertheless, several of the songs could still be construed as having some subtle Christian undertones. The beautiful thing about that is that it’s left completely up to the listener to discern. If you want to read into it in that way, that’s fine. It’s also just as easy to listen to the songs and not even be aware of such possible connotation. In the end, Erase Me is Underoath s biggest move to date. Chamberlain, Gillespie, McTague, Dudley, Brandell, and Smith boldly blaze new paths while still honoring the evolutionary steps that got them to where they are. The excitement generated from that creative revival shows, the band carrying themselves with a more determined and energetic spirit than ever on what isn’t just a definitive record but a crowning achievement of an already stellar career. From front to back this album in an enthralling listening experience without a single weak spot to be pinpointed. And as varied as it may be, no track sounding quite the same, it’s remarkably cohesive. There’s something to be found on it that will satisfy old fans, along with some material that’s sure to win over new listeners. Just give Erase Me a few listens and this latest step in Underoath’s career is sure to charm you. Pre-order Erase Me on: iTunes | Google Play | Amazon MP3 Visit Underoath’s websites: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Current Shows: 2018 April 20--Downtown Las Vegas Events Center--Las Vegas, NV 27--Metropolitan Park--Jacksonville, FL 28--Markham Park--Sunrise, FL 30--Iron City Bham--Birmingham, AL May 1--Georgia Theatre--Athens, GA 3--The Mill & Mine--Knoxville, TN 4--Rock City Campgrounds at Charlotte Motor Speedway--Charlotte, NC 5--Phase 2 Dining & Entertainment--Lynchburg, VA 6--Sands Bethlehem Event Center--Bethlehem, PA 8--Rams Head Live--Baltimore, MD 9--The Dome at Oakdale--Wallingford, CT 11--Fete Music Hall--Providence, RI 12--The Rapids Theatre--Niagara Falls, NY 14--Wooly's Des--Moines, IA 15--Pop's NightClub & Concert Venue--Sauget, IL 16--Piere's Entertainment Center--Fort Wayne, IN 18--MAPFRE Stadium--Columbus, OH 19--Manchester Music Hall--Lexington, KY 20--Gillioz Theatre--Springfield, MO 22--Concrete Street Amphitheater--Corpus Christi, TX 23--White Oak Music Hall--Houston, TX 24--Bomb Factory--Dallas, TX 25--iHeartMedia Metroplex--Little Rock, AR 26—Rocklahoma--Pryor, OK June 2--Kansas Speedway--Kansas City, MO 15--BA217--Paris, France 16—Melkweg--Amsterdam, Netherlands 18--Kulturzentrum Schlachthof--Wiesbaden, Germany 19--Zona Roveri Music Factory--Bologna, Italy 20--Magazzini Generali--Milan, Italy 22—Eichenring--Scheessel, Germany 22--Take-Off Park--Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany 23—Stenehei--Dessel, Belgium 24--Take-Off Park--Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany 24—Eichenring--Scheessel, Germany 26--Dürer Kert--Budapest, Hungary 28--Panenský Týnec--Prague, Czech Republic 29--Caja Magica--Madrid, Spain 30--Agrobaan 15--Ysselsteyn, Netherlands July 12--Country Fest--Cadott, WI 13—Oshkosh--Oshkosh, WI 14--Country Fest--Cadott, WI 16--KeyBank Pavilion--Burgettstown, PA 17--Budweiser Stage--Toronto, Canada 18--Blossom Music Center--Cuyahoga Falls, OH 28--Parc Jean-Drapeau--Montréal, Canada 29--Darling's Waterfront Pavilion--Bangor, ME August 24--Little John's Farm--Reading, United Kingdom 25--Bramham Park--Leeds, United Kingdom

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thereviewsarein · 5 years ago

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A lot of us have a little extra time on our hands right now. Some people are learning how to bake sourdough bread, some people are binging great content, and me, I have sorted and alphabetized every artist that appeared on every Big Shiny Tunes album.

The list is here, and it’s long. A lot of artists have more than one entry, which you’ll see, and I’ve done my best to show which albums they were.

Here are some bullet points to keep in mind as you scroll and search.

💿 17 albums: 14 editions of Big Shiny Tunes + Big Shiny 90’s, Big Shiny 90’s Volume 2, and Big Shiny 80’s.

💿 3 of the albums were doubles: Big Shiny 90’s, Big Shiny 90’s Volume 2, and Big Shiny 80’s.

💿 There are 351 total songs across the 17 releases.

💿 There are 209 artist listings on the list.

💿 Songs with a feature artist do not count as repeat appearances for the main artist.

💿 Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott does not count as a Nickelback appearance. The Chemical Brothers ft Noel Gallagher does not count as an Oasis appearance and is also listed separately from the other The Chemical Brothers entries.

Related: Book Review – Mark Teo’s ‘Shine, How a MuchMusic Compilation Came to Define Canadian Alternative Music and Sell a Zillion Copies’

💿 There are 132 entries with only 1 appearance.

💿 There are 77 entries with 2 or more appearances.

💿 Nickelback has the most appearances with 7 total.

💿 Blink-182 and Sum 41 have 6 appearances each.

💿 Weezer, Billy Talent, and Alexisonfire have 5 appearances each.

Before the list, here are some photos we’ve snapped of artists who appeared in the Big Shiny Tunes library.

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Ready for the list? Here you go!

Big Shiny Tunes Artists Listed Alphabetically with Album(s)

Artist Album(s) 3 Doors Down Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 6 A Flock of Seagulls Big Shiny Tunes 80s AFI Big Shiny Tunes 8 • 11 Alexisonfire Big Shiny Tunes 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 14 Alice in Chains Big Shiny Tunes 14 American Hi-Fi Big Shiny Tunes 6 Angels & Airwaves Big Shiny Tunes 11 Arkells Big Shiny Tunes 14 Avenged Sevenfold Big Shiny Tunes 11 Barenaked Ladies Big Shiny Tunes 3 • 90s Volume 2 Beastie Boys Big Shiny Tunes 3 Beastie Boys ft. Nas Big Shiny Tunes 14 Beck Big Shiny Tunes 1 Bedouin Soundclash Big Shiny Tunes 10 • 12 Better Than Ezra Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 90s Volume 2 Bif Naked Big Shiny Tunes 6 Big Wreck Big Shiny Tunes 3 • 90s Billy Idol Big Shiny Tunes 80s Billy Talent Big Shiny Tunes 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 14 Blind Melon Big Shiny Tunes 90s Blink-182 Big Shiny Tunes 4 • 5 • 6 • 9 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Blondie Big Shiny Tunes 80s Bloodhound Gang Big Shiny Tunes 5 Blue October Big Shiny Tunes 11 Blur Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 90s Volume 2 Bran Van 3000 Big Shiny Tunes 2 Buckcherry Big Shiny Tunes 13 Bush Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 2 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott Big Shiny Tunes 7 Chalk Circle Big Shiny Tunes 80s Coldplay Big Shiny Tunes 7 • 8 • 10 • 13 Collective Soul Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Danko Jones Big Shiny Tunes 7 David Bowie Big Shiny Tunes 80s David Usher Big Shiny Tunes 6 Default Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 14 Deftones Big Shiny Tunes 6 Depeche Mode Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 Devo Big Shiny Tunes 80s Die Mannequin Big Shiny Tunes 13 • 14 Disturbed Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 13 Duran Duran Big Shiny Tunes 80s Econoline Crush Big Shiny Tunes 4 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Elastica Big Shiny Tunes 90s Evanescence Big Shiny Tunes 9 Everclear Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Everlast Big Shiny Tunes 90s Faith No More Big Shiny Tunes 90s Fall Out Boy Big Shiny Tunes 12 Fastball Big Shiny Tunes 3 Fatboy Slim Big Shiny Tunes 4 • 90s Fefe Dobson Big Shiny Tunes 8 Filter Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 7 • 90s Volume 2 Fine Young Cannibals Big Shiny Tunes 80s Finger Eleven Big Shiny Tunes 9 • 12 Foo Fighters Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 3 Franz Ferdinand Big Shiny Tunes 9 Fun Lovin’ Criminals Big Shiny Tunes 1 Garbage Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 3 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Gary Numan Big Shiny Tunes 80s Gob Big Shiny Tunes 8 Goo Goo Dolls Big Shiny Tunes 3 • 4 Gorillaz Big Shiny Tunes 6 Gorillaz ft. De La Soul Big Shiny Tunes 10 Green Day Big Shiny Tunes 14 Hole Big Shiny Tunes 90s Volume 2 Holly McNarland Big Shiny Tunes 2 Hoobastank Big Shiny Tunes 9 Hot Hot Heat Big Shiny Tunes 10 I Mother Earth Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 4 • 90s Volume 2 illScarlett Big Shiny Tunes 12 Interpol Big Shiny Tunes 12 INXS Big Shiny Tunes 80s j. Englishman Big Shiny Tunes 5 Jane’s Addiction Big Shiny Tunes 8 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Jesus Jones Big Shiny Tunes 90s Volume 2 Jet Big Shiny Tunes 9 • 14 Jimmy Eat World Big Shiny Tunes 7 k-os ft. Sam Robers Big Shiny Tunes 10 Kid Rock Big Shiny Tunes 4 • 5 • 90s Korn Big Shiny Tunes 11 • 12 Lenny Kravitz Big Shiny Tunes 3 • 4 • 9 Limblifter Big Shiny Tunes Limp Bizkit Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 6 Linkin Park Big Shiny Tunes 6 • 8 • 13 Live Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 Marcy Playground Big Shiny Tunes 90s Marianas Trench Big Shiny Tunes 12 • 14 Marilyn Manson Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 2 • 90s Volume 2 Maroon 5 Big Shiny Tunes 12 Martha and the Muffins Big Shiny Tunes 80s Matchbox Twenty Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 5 • 90s Matthew Good Big Shiny Tunes 7 Matthew Good Band Big Shiny Tunes 3 • 4 • 5 • 90s Metric Big Shiny Tunes 11 Mobile Big Shiny Tunes 10 • 11 Moby Big Shiny Tunes 6 Moist Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 4 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 My Chemical Romance Big Shiny Tunes 10 • 11 Naked Eyes Big Shiny Tunes 80s Nena Big Shiny Tunes 80s New Found Glory Big Shiny Tunes 7 Nickelback Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 14 No Doubt Big Shiny Tunes Not by Choice Big Shiny Tunes 7 • 8 Oasis Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 Odds Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 Orgy Big Shiny Tunes 4 Our Lady Peace Big Shiny Tunes 6 • 14 P.O.D. Big Shiny Tunes 7 Panic! at the Disco Big Shiny Tunes 13 Papa Roach Big Shiny Tunes 7 Paramore Big Shiny Tunes 14 Peter Gabriel Big Shiny Tunes 80s Pilate Big Shiny Tunes 9 Placebo Big Shiny Tunes 3 Pluto Big Shiny Tunes Poe Big Shiny Tunes Porno For Pyros Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 90s Primitive Radio Gods Big Shiny Tunes 90s Volume 2 Protest the Hero Big Shiny Tunes 13 Puddle Of Mudd Big Shiny Tunes 6 • 7 Queens Of The Stone Age Big Shiny Tunes 8 • 10 • 12 • 13 R.E.M. Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 Radiohead Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 2 • 3 • 90s Ramones Big Shiny Tunes 80s Red Hot Chili Peppers Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 4 • 5 • 8 Rise Against Big Shiny Tunes 12 • 14 Rob Zombie Big Shiny Tunes 3 Rough Trade Big Shiny Tunes 80s Sam Roberts Big Shiny Tunes 7 • 8 • 11 • 13 Saving Abel Big Shiny Tunes 13 Seether Big Shiny Tunes 10 • 13 • 14 Semisonic Big Shiny Tunes 3 Serial Joe Big Shiny Tunes 4 Shinedown Big Shiny Tunes 14 Silverchair Big Shiny Tunes 4 • 90s Simple Plan Big Shiny Tunes 8 • 10 Sloan Big Shiny Tunes 1 • 3 • 90s Volume 2 Smash Mouth Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 4 Spacehog Big Shiny Tunes 90s Split Enz Big Shiny Tunes 80s Squeeze Big Shiny Tunes 80s Staind Big Shiny Tunes 7 Stone Temple Pilots Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 5 • 6 Sublime Big Shiny Tunes 90s Sugar Ray Big Shiny Tunes 4 • 6 Sugar Ray ft. Super Cat Big Shiny Tunes 2 Sum 41 Big Shiny Tunes 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 10 • 12 Taking Back Sunday Big Shiny Tunes 11 Talk Talk Big Shiny Tunes 80s Tantric Big Shiny Tunes 6 Tears for Fears Big Shiny Tunes 80s Ten Second Epic Big Shiny Tunes 12 Ten Second Epic ft. Lights Big Shiny Tunes 14 The Age Of Electric Big Shiny Tunes 2 The All-American Rejects Big Shiny Tunes 8 • 11 • 14 The B-52’s Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Boomtown Rats Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Breeders Big Shiny Tunes 90s Volume 2 The Buggles Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Cardigans Big Shiny Tunes 90s Volume 2 The Cars Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Chemical Brothers Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 90s Volume 2 The Chemical Brothers ft Noel Gallagher Big Shiny Tunes 4 The Clash Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Cranberries Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 The Cure Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 The Darkness Big Shiny Tunes 9 The Dream Academy Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Fixx Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Fratellis Big Shiny Tunes 12 The Hives Big Shiny Tunes 9 The Killers Big Shiny Tunes 9 • 10 The Killjoys Big Shiny Tunes The Kooks Big Shiny Tunes 13 The Marble Index Big Shiny Tunes 9 The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Big Shiny Tunes 90s The Mission District Big Shiny Tunes 13 • 14 The Pretenders Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Prodigy Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 90s Volume 2 The Psychedelic Furs Big Shiny Tunes 80s The Raconteurs Big Shiny Tunes 13 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Big Shiny Tunes 12 The Salads Big Shiny Tunes 8 The Smashing Pumpkins Big Shiny Tunes 3 The Tea Party Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 4 • 6 • 9 The Used Big Shiny Tunes 10 • 12 • 14 The Verve Big Shiny Tunes 13 The Vines Big Shiny Tunes 7 Theory Of A Deadman Big Shiny Tunes 7 • 8 • 10 Third Eye Blind Big Shiny Tunes 2 • 3 • 90s • 90s Volume 2 Thirty Seconds to Mars Big Shiny Tunes 11 Thornley Big Shiny Tunes 9 Three Days Grace Big Shiny Tunes 8 • 11 • 12 Tokyo Police Club Big Shiny Tunes 13 Trapt Big Shiny Tunes 8 Treble Charger Big Shiny Tunes 5 U2 Big Shiny Tunes 90s • 90s Volume 2 Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker Big Shiny Tunes 13 Underøath Big Shiny Tunes 11 Veruca Salt Big Shiny Tunes 90s Weezer Big Shiny Tunes 6 • 7 • 10 • 13 • 90s Volume 2 Wheatus Big Shiny Tunes 5 White Zombie Big Shiny Tunes 90s Volume 2 Wide Mouth Mason Big Shiny Tunes 2 Wintersleep Big Shiny Tunes 13 Wolfmother Big Shiny Tunes 11 Yellowcard Big Shiny Tunes 9 • 11

An Alphabetical List of Every Artist on Every Big Shiny Tunes Album A lot of us have a little extra time on our hands right now. Some people are learning how to bake sourdough bread, some people are binging great content, and me, I have sorted and alphabetized every artist that appeared on every Big Shiny Tunes album.

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