Review: Underoath - They're Only Chasing Safety

I reviewed this on my site, and thought I'd post it here. Let me know what you think.

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UnderOATH – They’re Only Chasing Safety (Special Edition CD/DVD)



The Album
Packaging
For the special edition CD, the guys of UnderOATH pulled a whole new look out of the bag, and it echoes from the cover to the back. For the front of the album, they had an artist redo the TOCS cover in a super-shaded, paint splatter, watercolor/spray-paint type design. You have to see it to believe it. When you turn over the case, you’ll see the new back with a plain-ish background that resembles the actual disk. When you open up the case, you’ll see the first of two discs which look quite similar. They have as swirl of blue, green, and dark colors dancing around on them, which should look quite cool when spinning around in a CD player. The inside-back is akin to the outside back, only it has more of the spray-paint look. The booklet inside has a nice whirl of darker blues and greens on it, and white text that reads “underoath (They’re Only Chasing Safety)”. When one ventures to open the booklet, he will see an expanded and more spray-painted version of the back of the booklet. The next page reveals the lyrics for the first three songs and a picture of Timmy McTague blowing a bubble. Page two features the next three songs and a similar headshot of Aaron Gillespie. Next is Grant Brandell, followed by James Smith and, to the joy of the UO fan, the lyrics to “I’ve Got Ten Friends…”. Next is the invisible lyrics to the final two songs, all the technical junk, and the listing of the band members, plus a shot of Spencer Chamberlain. The next page brings in the thanks and a final picture of Chris Dudley, wrapping up the booklet inside.

The Price
If you already have They’re Only Chasing Safety, you may not even be considering buying this. But really, at a going price of $15 or so, the DVD is worth it alone, much less the four new songs (granted only one is truly new). So really, if you’re friendly with ebay or know of someone who wouldn’t mind being introduced to UnderOATH, it’s a pretty good idea to but the special edition, and you won’t be wasting your money.

The Music
The Music
With the first three seconds of “Young And Inspiring”, you know you’re in for a musical treat. Electronic goodies and beautifully woven guitar riffs spatter the disk mercilessly, and Gillespie’s drumming is nothing less than sensational, possibly ranking as some of the best in Christian music. After watching the DVD, you can appreciate the musical aspect of the disc a lot more. Seeing Brandell tear it up on bass will put some fear into you, and the double guitars of McTague and Smith adds a lot, putting a lot of punch while still keeping a steady rock. Chris Dudley’s keyboard also adds UO’s unique electronic sound, which fits in perfectly with the various guitar tricks. Dudley’s work is also quite appreciable in “You’re So Intricate” and “The 80’s Song”.

The Vocals
It is remarkable how Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie’s voices blend so well, and one could almost mistakenly think that there is only one vocalist. The chemistry between the two is incredible, one picks up right where the other ends, causing a smooth transition between singing and screaming, a rare thing these days. Chamberlain also has one of hardcore’s rare actual “scream” screams. He doesn’t growl, doesn’t roar, he actually screams. A good change for hardcore fans. Also, in the closing track, “Some Will Seek Forgiveness…”, the two vocalists do some quality singing before leaping out with some last minute screams, adding immensely to the beauty of the song.

The Message
It is very true that UnderOATH doesn’t beat listeners over the head with religion, but it is very visible that they are a Christian band. The most obvious is “Some Will Seek Forgiveness…” which speaks of Jesus’ beautiful love for the unlovely and unfaithful, and in the end they scream “Jesus, I’m ready to come Home”, a beautiful reminder for Christians. It is truly possible to worship to hardcore music. Memorable songs like “Reinventing Your Exit” and “I’ve Got Ten Friends…” sing of conflict between two people, and the resounding “It’s A Dangerous Business” is possibly the most heartfelt of all, telling of a fatal car wreck. All in all, not every song on the disk is quite clear on the deep meaning, but sometimes it’s not always the best thing to have wide-open lyrics, this way it keeps the true fans searching. In the DVD you will see various members saying how much the lives of members bleed through into the music. This truly sets UO apart, not many bands are willing to truly sing about their lives. Also, one of the most open and well-written songs is “A Boy Brushed Red…”. Chamberlain and Gillespie did a superb job on writing on such a touchy issue. The song tells of a young man who has premarital sex and is later looking back, regretting his actions. Although it’s not set in stone as true, my personal thoughts are that his girlfriend is now dying in childbirth or of AIDS, causing him to look back and see what he was living for instead of Christ. Several other songs speak of depression, and how God can pull you through.

Favorite Tracks
My all-time favorite has to be “Reinventing Your Exit”, the first UO song I ever heard. All the songs are great, but I’d also have to go with “Young And Inspiring” and “I’ve Got Ten Friends…”.

Track Listing
1. Young And Inspiring
2. A Boy Brushed Red Living In Black and White
3. The Impact of Reason
4. Reinventing Your Exit
5. The Blue Note
6. It’s A Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
7. Down, Set, Go
8. I Don’t Feel Very Receptive Today
9. I’m Content With Losing
10. Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape
11. I’ve Got Ten Friends And A Crowbar That Say You Ain’t Gonna Do Jack (New Song)
12. The 80’s Song (It’s A Dangerous Business… demo)
13. You’re So Intricate (I’m Content With Losing demo)
14. SmicTague (Some Will Seek Forgiveness… demo instrumental)

Listen For Free
Purevolume.com/underoath You’re So Intricate, I’ve Got Ten Friends…, It’s A Dangerous Business, Reinventing Your Exit, When The Sun Sleeps
Myspace.com/underoath
Chasingsafety.com Young And Inspiring, Down, Set, Go, I’m Content With Losing, Reinventing Your Exit

Why Should I Buy It?
• If you love UnderOATH
• If you want the DVD
• If you like Hardcore/Screamo
• If you’re cool

To Sum It All Up…
Rating
Music- 9
Vocals-10
Message- 9
Overall- 9

This CD is totally awesome, and the DVD included is just an extra reason to buy it, and is totally rad. If you’re not sure if you’ll like it or not, heck, buy it, it’s only $15 and if you don’t like it, sell it on ebay in 20 years and get a 400% profit. If you like UnderOATH, definitely get it because you’ll enjoy the DVD and you’ll learn a lot more about the band. So the bottom line is, this is an awesome CD, so if you’re okay with screaming, you’ll like it.

I think evrything he said is true I just wanted to add this link to the "Reinventing your Exit" music video.

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And you may be sceptical but the CD is worth it for just the DVD.

This post has been edited by JCfreek on Oct 23 2005, 04:04 PM

My absolute favorite track on the CD is 'Down, Set, Go'. That track's friggin awesome

I just wish I hadn't paid $20 for it at f.y.e.

-Kamaku

Down, Set, Go is like the best dude! Especially the end.

But yeah, I can't afford all the CDs I want to get and since I already have They're Only Chasing Safety, the special edition is not on the top of my list. Good review though! Very descriptive.

-Smally

It's #1 on my "affordable" Christmas list.

Down, Set, Go? I don't remember any spectacular ending for it... I'm Content With Losing, however...

Boy Brushed Red and Reinventing your exit are by fer, the best songs on the whole CD.

I don't see what's so special about 'Reinventing Your Exit'...to me, that song's medicore at best.

-Kamaku

I dunno, I like the melody on it... and the chorus is pwnage... plus, you never seem to tire of the first song you hear from a band...

First song I hered too

My favorites are A Boy Brushed Red and I'm Content With Losing... of course, I love the whole cd. It's awesomeness.
-Riss

First song I hered too

I had actually never heard UnderOATH, though I'd heard of them, and one day I was looking through the music videos section on the T&N site, and I decided to watch RYE... I've been hooked ever since I visited their purevolume a few days later.