Senses Fail – “Let It Enfold You” [Deluxe Edition]

Originally released in 2004, Senses Fail offer their fans this deluxe edition of Let it Enfold You. Although the initial release included a DVD, the limited edition offers acoustic versions to 3 songs, previously unreleased songs, and live footage from the Taste of Chaos tour, and music videos for two singles.

Thrashing, popish, and emo all in one, now a days it’s hard to categorize bands like Senses Fail. At first listen one can make the comparable connection to New Found Glory’s Jordan Pundik’s vocals. Sure they have similar voices, but styles differ as you can hear on LIEY.

The album is packed with fast paced songs, but once you hit track 4, “Buried Alive” (which was the first single to be released) the tempo slows down a notch, but picks up again around track 6. Personally I can pick out about five singles out of the total 13 tracks on the CD. They are catchy, pleasing to the ear, and can make for great videos, as two of them did!

The Bonus Material offers two new tracks, “Institutionalized” and “American Death” that were not on the first release. “Lady in a Blue Dress,” “Buried a Lie,” and “Rum is for Drinking, Not for Burning” are all acoustically presented. Interesting enough these tracks were recorded in the back of the band’s bus while touring the Vans 2005 Warped Tour.

“American Death” surely does not sound like a Senses Fail song, the upbeatness is gone and the hardness and screaming kick in. Maybe this is an early indication of what is to be expected on the next album; especially since a video has already been made for it to support the inclination.

“Buried a Lie” is heavily guitar strung in the first few bars then mellows down to around the normal level of decibalism. Vocals aren’t as attractive as they are on the album until the chorus, and aren’t as good as they have the potential to be when heard live.

The DVD coincidentally shot in Ashbury Park, New Jersey where the Taste of Chaos crew was filming their DVD content, is also where this live footage is from. So in turn, I reached over to my stash of DVD’s, whipped out the Taste of Chaos DVD and checked to see if the footage was the same, cause that would be lame if it was, and it’s not *phew!* But I’m sure the band slipped the crew a few extra dollars to get a few extra tracks if you know what I mean. Relax, I’m Kidding.

I’m not sure what Senses Fail is more known for, their lead singer’s cockyness or the vivid imagery in their lyrics. I for one can tell you that while interviewing Mr. Nielsen I was at first apprehensive, but he was well mannered and quite funny, so I’m going with option two, vivid imagery.

When you’ve got a great looking band, with a great song which encompasses great lyrics you can’t help but make great videos; it’s a natural progression. With that said “Buried a Lie” is a great video but pales in comparison to their second single, seemingly having been taken right off the set of a soap, (the connection their is that Buddy’s mom is/was a daytime actress). While “Rum is for Drinking, Not for Burning” was shot here in Toronto, its dark imagery and cinematography was unexpected. It was pleasant to the eye and was on heavy rotation on Fuse TV.

Please note Guitarist Dave Miller is no longer with the band. The band have gone on and posted to fans the following: “Many of you already know. But we receive messages asking why Dave is no longer with us or why his name is not on our myspace page anymore. We parted ways with Dave on good terms 5 months ago. Everything is fine, it worked out for the best on both sides, the band is going on as planned, and our music is not changing. Heath Saraceno (from the band Midtown) as many of you had probably seen, was kind enough to fill in on our past headlining tour and did an amazing job. We were lucky enough to have such a great musician playing with us and can’t thank him enough for that. Hopefully we’ll see you all this summer with a new record!”

Once the album is released the band will commence touring probably around June/July. If you are anything like me (and I hope you are – all your base are belong to me), I had to throw that in there for a friend Marc, anywho… if you like having everything a band puts out and make mini collections of everything, then this is great for you. If you don’t want to pay for the same album and want to download the newly released and acoustic versions along with the videos, then this isn’t for you.

This gets 8 David Boreanaz Heads out of 10.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Tie Her Down
02. Lady in a Blue Dress
03. You’re Cute When You Scream
04. Buried a lie
05. Bite to Break Skin
06. Rum is For Drinking, Not For Burning
07. Slow Dance
08. Choke on This
09. NJ Falls Into The Atlantic
10. Let It Enfold You
11. Irony of Dying on Your Birthday
12. Angela Baker and My Obsession With Fire
13. Martini Kiss
14. Rum is For Drinking, Not For Burning (Acoustic)
15. Buried a Lie (Acoustic)
16. Lady in The Blue Dress (Acoustic)
17. Institutionalized (Suicidal Tendencies Cover)
18. American Death (New Demo)

Run Time: 1:01:15
Release Date: 2005