blackholesunshower

Alter Bridge’s second album is the one I discovered first. After hearing the song at a show, I got the album and proceeded to listen to it on a constant basis. In my opinion this is the “cleanest” AB album so far. I’m not sure how to describe it, but the whole mix is just so precise and every song (except BB) is so tight. Very easy listening and addictive!

***Note: I am not a musician. I am a fan and music aficionado. I do not use technical terms. I listen with my heart, mind, and soul! Thanks for reading. The opinions you read here are mine and do not represent anyone associated with me.***

Rating (out of 5):

Rating: 4

**I listen to this song on repeat

Track 1: Ties that Bind

Thoughts: The opening track. Starts with a gentle electric guitar.

Theme/message: Break free of control, despite the risk. It’s worth it! I know AB had some major problems with their previous labels, so maybe this is a nod to this.

Standout lyrics: “You broke me into pieces. Don’t tell me what to be. Damn you all, I’m gonna find my way!”

Glows: It sets the tone for the record. It comes in slow, then goes out hot. FIRE!

Grows: There may have been a more suitable opening track, but maybe not.

Track 2: Come to Life

Summary: It’s a banger to start. Myle’s voice sounds a bit altered by some effect (I’m not a technician. ha ha). Mark’s voice comes through nice in the chorus. Myles and Mark’s voices together are pure magic!

Theme/message: We are strong. We are one. Truth wins over deception (a running theme in most of their songs, I believe).

Standout lyrics: “Now wicked tongues can speak and rewrite history, but you can’t keep the truth contained, and like the song was sung, we are one.”

Glows: I can’t stop head banging this one.

Grows: none

Track 3: Brand New Start

Summary: The third track opens with beautiful, contemplative melody and rhythmic drum beat, then Myles’s smooth voice comes in. BANG! This is one of my faves off the album.

Theme/message: We have been broken, but a new start is on the horizon.

Standout lyrics: “We will make a brand new start, from the pieces torn apart. The break of day is upon us.”

Glows: The guitar solo is very powerful and buries deep inside, reaching new levels of amazingness! I like the echoing at the end… “we’ll make our way… oh, oh” YES!!!!

Wondering: What is the disorder they speak of?

Track 4: Buried Alive **

Summary: This one speaks volumes. WOW.

Theme/message: the narrator realizes that he needs to go back to the familiar “home.” Have they lost their way?

Standout lyrics: “Every broken man comes to understand that he’ll never find paradise.”

Glows: The ending kicks a$$. The guitar riffs and a quick end.

Grows: The squeaky guitar thing Mark used to do a lot. What is that called? I’ve grown to like it, but it kind of annoyed me at first!

Track 5: Coming Home

Summary: Not one of my faves, but I still love it! ha ha Why? I can’t find something to relate to with this one, so I kind of wrote it off. It’s grown on me and of course, I love it now.

Theme/Message: The narrator realizes that he needs to go back to the familiar “home.” They have strayed too far. I interpret “home” as being their “self.” The narrator has lost a sense of who he is and now needs to get back to his roots. It also mentions making amends. Perhaps the narrator ruined a relationship and now needs to fix it. Running away from his problems just makes things worse.

Standout lyrics: “Every broken man comes to understand that he’ll never find paradise. When all he wants was there all the time.”

“We come to find what we take for granted, keeps us alive in the end. so don’t let time leave you empty handed. Reach out tonight at make amends.”

Glows: When Myles sings, “And make amends!!!” WOW…. the vocals.

Wondering: the lyrics “I’ll rest my song.” Is song a metaphor for the fast paced life of touring? Being a musician?

Track 6: Before Tomorrow Comes

Summary: I could listen to this one all day. The melody, hook, riffs, etc. gets me EVERY TIME!

Theme/message: Do it now! Don’t wait until tomorrow comes or it might be too late. I can really relate to this. Don’t put off tomorrow what could be done today, especially making the world a better place!

Standout lyrics: “Does anyone care it ain’t right what we’re doing? Does anyone care it ain’t right where we’re going? Does anyone dare justify how we’re living. Does anyone here care at all?”

“We could be so much more than we are.”

Glows: This song makes me feel alive and inspires me to be better.

Grows: none

Track 7: Rise Today

Summary: Give this song a Grammy already. If you don’t feel inspired to be a better person after listening to this, you aren’t paying attention!

Theme/message: It’s just about getting rid of all the bullshit. Love makes the world a better place. This is a theme of Myles songwriting. I don’t know how he and Mark divide the lyric writing, but this feels like Myles a lot.

Standout lyrics: The chorus! I wanna rise today and change this world.

“Only love can set it right, oh. This world, if only peace would never die.”

Glows: The drums. I always want to tap it out on my steering wheel.

Grows: none

Track 8: Blackbird****

Summary: Alter Bridge’s defining tune. This one is really special. They play it EVERY show and when they do, I double dog dare you NOT to cry or at least tear up.

Theme/message: May your soul be healed. May you never suffer again in this life or after.

Standout lyrics: All of them. ha ha…

“the fragile cannot endure, the wrecked and the jaded, a place so impure. The static of this cruel world, cause some birds to fly long before they’ve seen their day.” (DAMN). This one always makes me think of the people I’ve lost, my dad and Chris.

“know that you made such a difference… some day I will fly and find you again.” Holy shit. Does it get any better? I’m crying as a write this!

Glows: I mean this song is perfection. Really. Myles KILLS IT with his singing. His depth of passion is unmatched. Really. Mark doesn’t go overboard with the guitars. The nuances of emotion felt with each strum of the cord and pluck of strings sends chills down the spines of the listeners. I know from listening to interviews that this song took them the longest to complete and it was worth it. If this is their legacy forever, may it be so!

Track 9: One By One

Summary: This one is not one of my favorite AB songs. Why? I can’t really say other than it just didn’t grab me like the rest. I think it’s about soldiers because it mentions the brave, a promised land, and the hero. These are themes I can’t relate to. Don’t hate me!

Theme/message: Sacrifice of those who fought and lost.

Glows: Eh. Not my favorite! I tend to skip this one when it comes on.

Track 10: Watch Over You **

Summary: A real ballad! I love this one, but there are other ballads I love EVEN more!

Theme/message: You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved. It hurts, but you have to let go :(

Standout lyrics: “How can you love someone and not yourself?”

Glows: Myles’s voice! AHHHH like butter. WOW

Track 11: Break Me Down**

Summary: One of my favorites. This one gives me energy to burn. The melody holds me throughout and makes me want to run and sing at the same time! OH YEAH!!!!!

Theme/message: A toxic relationship. Get out now!

POV: 1st person

Standout lyrics: the chorus!! OMGGGGG “I wanna give it up before I lose it all…. It’s tearing me inside, the way you break me down.” The little pause before the word “down” is perfection.

Glows: The way it blends the subtlety of Myle’s sweet voice with the rocking guitar.

Track 12: White Knuckles**

Summary: A popular one with fans, White Knuckles can produce a mosh pit at shows, at least from what I’ve seen of the footage. I can’t but help sing along with this one. Let’s face it, I sing along with all of them. At the top of my lungs. In my car. Every day! haaa

Theme/message: If you’re hurting or alone, listen up! Don’t be misled. Take control of your destiny and be strong because the world will break you down if you don’t.

Standout lyrics: “How will it feel, to live a lie until your dying day? Where nothing is real, as we sacrifice, bneding until we break.”

Glows: Hold on for your life. You’re in for a wild ride!

Track 13: Wayward One

Summary: Last song. Starts slow and contemplative. Then gets stronger as the message does. Bring the wayward ones back home tonight!

Theme/message: The forgotten ones deserve a good life, not just the well known or well off.

Standout lyrics:  “It’s not too late to make things right, dress the wounds with love’s pure light. Take them back to the start.”

Glows: A gentle way to end the record. A strong concluding message.

What do you think? What’s your favorite song off this album? Which one do you skip, if any?

Leave a comment

Write a comment…

Close

Comment

Review to come …