You know, I'm not always so high and mighty about my musical tastes. I'll defend my guilty pleasure bands from every angle I can, but every so often I find a band that I'm embarrassed, if not plain angry at myself, for liking.
Band-I-Hate-Myself-For-Liking of the Week: Silverstein.
I mean, I could have started off this post by mentioning the band is named after children's author Shel Silverstein, but I thought I'd at least warn you before I jumped in. Maybe, it would be saying too much if I mentioned their current tour is called "Bros in the Snow" and the catch-line is "Chillin' Across America 2008." If that doesn't make you hate them already, I'd like to add that they're dragging Protest the Hero - who probably don't have much of a choice but to hop on a decent size tour - with them into the depths of popped-collars and sandals (as well as notable hardcore act Devil Wears Prada). For the sake of all involved, I hope the name of the tour is tongue-in-cheek. Not very likely, though, with these guys, the band I hate to love.
Hailing from Canada, these guys are part of a long line of legendary indie and hardcore bands. In fact, one of the most defining hardcore acts for the contemporary sound of the genre, Grade, is from Canada. I could write 20 posts about Grade alone. I could write 20 posts about similarly-Canadian indie-emo group Moneen. But this is really the only post I can muster up for the like-ably shitty Silverstein.
Silverstein is a musical paradox; the vocals are bland at best. But when singer Shane Told really lets loose on those vocal chords and screams, the walls around you shake. Drummer Paul Koehler sounds really bored during the verses, but he wails on the kit during heavy parts. (And seriously Paul, what's up with all the collared shirts? You're supposed to be in a post-hardcore act.) The song structures aren't incredibly unique, but there's definitely something catchy, yet undefinable, in Silverstein's sound.
Maybe the fact that I can't pinpoint exactly what makes me want to listen to them is what makes me hate them so much. Then again, it could be the plain fact that they ask for it.
Either way, I better learn to live with them if I plan on catching PTH on their way through town.
Finally, the point is Silverstein just released a new video for the single "Still Dreaming." But I didn't post it here because it isn't very good. Watch the band's video for "Smile in Your Sleep" instead.
Nice flip-flops guys.
"Don't ever tell Locke what he can't do."
- Moneen
