Saosin Translating The Name

First off, I have to admit that I dislike the whole “emo hardcore” sound immensely. You could say I hate it, but I usually only reserve that kind of contempt for country music. However, as much as I dislike most things “emo,” I do happen to like Saosin (pronounced like "say ocean"). Something about them just clicked with me. Maybe it’s because the hardcore elements are much more noticeable on this album than with most other bands in this genre. Perhaps it’s because these guys know how to play well, and they know a little something about decent song structuring. Or quite possibly it’s because the ‘scream’ vocals remind me of Circle Takes the Square (always a plus). Either way, my point is that this band ought to be the new poster-boys for this genre before it's killed by From Autumn To Ashes or some equally irritating band. I remember that not long after I listened to this EP, I was talking to a friend and I happened to mention Saosin. Ironically enough, he had seen them live a few weeks before and did not enjoy them in the least. Being exposed to a lot of shit music passed off as “emotional hardcore,” I could see why Saosin might be lumped into the shit-pile. However, “Translating The Name” is more than that: it’s upbeat and catchy, musically diverse, and short enough to not bore the hell out of you, especially if you don’t listen to this kind of genre very often (or at all). If you’re still having trouble understanding why Saosin seems so unique, just try to think of it this way: what Saosin is doing for emotional hardcore, Between the Buried and Me is doing for metalcore. Or for those of you who actually listen to a lot of emo-ish stuff, Saosin is what Thursday and Thrice were like before everyone and their sister was into them. I do have one minor complaint about this CD, though, which happens to be a simple “missing lyrics” protest, though they can be found online if you're not too lazy to search for them. But as far as they go, they’re poetic in the non-sappy sense and enjoyable on their own, which is pretty rare these days. I also have some misgivings about the production, which is almost too clean. It reminds me of Atreyu’s transition from “Fractures…” to “Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses” in that a lot can be lost when music is overproduced. Go figure. Bottom Line: While this is something most guys would likely give to their girlfriends to show them that hardcore can be more than just screaming and loud guitars, I think Saosin deserve quite a bit of credit for making the “emo hardcore” genre, as overplayed as it is, sound at least halfway decent.