so I'm starting to get some passionate responses to the album from people who obviously take their listening very seriously. I'd like to post them but need to get their permission.

in the meantime, I thought it would be cool to have a place for people to write serious reviews of the album, positive, negative, mixed -- whatever. you people are obviously intense about your music or you wouldn't still be hanging around here, and I figure you've got something to say.

might even build a page for reviews on the website.
yours,
paul

I guess I'll be the first to review the new disc. I've been a loyal fan ever since the release of YBAM, and I've taken the time to collect the numerous songs floating around the net with the help of members of this community. I must say, this new disc is every bit as good as YBAM. The sound is similar but yet different, a little more experimental and grown up sounding. Granted I would have liked to see more songs and maybe some of the songs that have not been previously released, but I'll take what I can get.

My favorite tracks on the disc are Perfect Girl, Ecstasy, WIthout you, and Lonely Boy. The album gets better everytime I listen to it, and I develop new favorites. If you are thinking about buying the disc, and like YBAM, then purchase this disc. If you don't even have YBAM, and you want to hear good music, then you won't be disappointed with this purchase. Listed to some of the tracks online, and you'll know what you are getting yourself into, but you wont be upset. Some of the best $15 I've ever spent on a disc.

I was gonna post the review earlier on here, like two days ago, or when someone else went first, just wanted to listen to it more

Week, 2 or 3...? of having this album and now my opinions change a little...

All I can still say is, whoa...No other music draws me in like this cd still does.

I know I was a little harsh on 'Circus Lights' but I do just LOVE this end part here--> Cause the one game that I never played
the one mistake I never made
Was to come right out and ask you if you need me
Do you need me now? Cause I need more...

Still loving "Wide Open" (I try not to think of "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks[ok, I'll stop being negative]) I'm just glad your song has NO relation to theirs, totally different meaning...The music to Wide Open is just so different in that I immediately loved it the first time I heard it, which is rare for me, maybe because it's complex and that's what kind of music I typically like...The song is almost similar to Ecstacy... This is the coolest part---> I believe in luck
I believe in fate
I believe that love will find a way
I still love this newer version of "Dream In Color", third favorite song.
Overall, Paul's voice is just supriminent above every other vocalist throughout this album as well as the first. His voice is what drew me in with Your Body Above Me.

This is definitely not YBAM: the sequel. The major sounding, melodic moments are here in abundance, but these are not accompanied by really dark, scary, evil moments as on YBAM. However, there is plenty of minor modality and eerieness here, at least enough to keep me happy [as ironic as that statement may seem]. I really like this record. To me, the only thing that keeps it from being really great is the presence of a few weak tracks; I think I would have had a better impression of this album had it come to me a few tracks lighter, believe it or not.

Track-by-track deal:

1. "See the Sun" - good

2. "Remember" - when I first heard this song as a sample on cdbaby, the first thing I did was pick up my guitar and figure out how to sing and play it. Then I spent the next 30-45 minutes doing just that. Awesome.

3. "Lonely Boy" - this is my current favourite. Great love song in the vein of "Time Ago". It's my current sing along in the shower song, and I may cover it at an open mic thing in the near future [whilst plugging black lab and this site, of course]

4. "Perfect Girl" - nice little darkish, frustrated rocker here. Very catchy rhythm on the guitar in the verses too.

5. "Ecstasy" - this was my favourite when I got the ep awhile back. I like Eve's vocal contribution here.

6. "Tell Me Why" - really don't like this one. To me, lyrically and musically this one seems pedestrian.

7. "Without You" - Ditto.

8. "Dream in Color" - this is an example of how Black Lab can take fragments of several perfectly ordinary chord progressions and combine them to make something really great. Paul is a consistently strong melody writer, which is evidenced throughout this disc, including this track.

9. "Learn to Crawl" - I immediately loved this song. It features another evil-tinged, minor mode-sounding chord progression and powerful vocals. Good stuff. One part I really could do without is the vocal solo in the middle. A bridge with lyrics or a guitar solo here would really add a lot to this song instead of the "na na na na na na. . ." deal.

10. "Wide Open" - there are some fantastic vocals here. Another darkish one. Great song.

11. "Lifelike" - Ditto to 6 and 7. I gave this one a few chances, but I skip it now. As I'm writing, I'm listening to it just to refresh my memory; the dynamics are probably this song's strongest feature. The chorus just really does nothing for me though; way too predictable melodically and chordally.

12. "Circus Lights" - another really strong song. Good dynamics, lyrics, catchy melody in the chorus.

I could really do without tracks 6, 7, and 11, but overall this is a good disc.

-Jon

I'm pretty much with Analog Kid. This album isn't nearly as dark or brooding as YBAM. I've found that attempts to compare the two lead to frustration. (I really do miss Michael's guitar work)

On it's own, as a radio-friendly pop-rock album, See the Sun works really well. All of the songs are *very* catchy. Anyways, as promised, here's my track by track breakdown.

1. See The Sun - not as good as the version dropped onto the 'net years and years ago, but a good song with an infectious chorus

2. Remember - the opposite of See The Sun, a great riff and an un-memorable chorus.

3. Lonely Boy - vast improvement over "You Say".

4. Perfect Girl - fierce rocker. not sure what happened to the intro. did it get chopped up?

5. Ecstacy - experiment that worked really well. The novelty's worn off by now, but it's still solid.

6. Tell Me Why - highlight of the album. I somehow got hooked on this hokey love song waaay back and the upbeat version is just so much better.

7. Without You - I'd call it forgettable, but the chorus is stuck in my head

8. Dream In Color - mixed feelings on this one. as Jon said, great melody.

9. Learn to Crawl - best song on the CD. (I know I called Tell Me Why the "highlight". but only because LTC has been around since Spiderman) Fierce. Great riff. Great melody. Great chorus. If BL released an album of songs like this, I'd buy 10 of 'em. I listen to it *all* the time and it still gets me excited.

10. Wide Open - 3rd best on the CD. Has all of the good features of Learn to Crawl.

11. Lifelike - it hasn't left an impression on me.

12. Circus Lights - sounds a lot like Dream in Color, except not as interesting. My least favorite track on the album.

and.... since I joined the mp3 club

13. Come On - dirty song, but it's good to hear a straight-forward rocker. Either Paul's been smoking a lot of cigarettes the last few years, or that's his "raspy" voice.

All in all, it's an exciting time to be a Black Lab fan. I can't wait for more stuff. Just over 3 weeks 'till August.

Ok I had to reply now and tell my opinions on the basis of the last two guys...

1. See The Sun - I heard the old demo and I think to be honest this is much much better - Ill tell you why - because its more lush its more upbeat and its a great track to open up on - I don't know why but I love it whenever Paul tries to reach those high notes it just sounds so cool - its a great catchy radio friendly song!

2. Remember - The synth parts in this song is so cool - the only feeling I get with this song is like Paul is trying to sound as relaxed as possible without really putting emotion into the song - maybe its just how his voice is but I always find myself singing along and singing it very low! Still another great song...

3. Lonely Boy - One of my fave songs. ever. this is brilliant the piano , the guitar the emotion! it works on every level and is a amazing song. It is almost a pity there isnt more piano parts on the album based on how good they sound on this song!


4. Perfect Girl - I love this re-remix - I think its more rocking more fun, more funky just all round better - though its a bit of a shock going from soft piano to this!

5. Ecstacy - This is a funky song. its an ambient kind of song which sounds good - I think it is a perfect song to follow the last one and works well for that reason as well.

6. Tell Me Why - At first I wasn't that fond of this song, but there is no doubt that the intro is upbeat and happy and the high note bits again are very cool- don't know what i like bout those things! and I find myself singing along to it - so it grew on me and now I feel it is a great upbeat song!


7. Without You - I find myself singing along to this one although It is not my fave song on the album - I can't figure out what place it is going for - a rocker? a love song? not sure but still can't help singing along.

8. Dream In Color -THis song has fast become one of my faves on here - the synth adds great feeling and mood and the drumming is so punchy. As a guitarist I feel this song is a great song to look at to see how to put a song together and arrange it. The only thing I feel that spoils (if you can say that) this song and "without you" is what I feel is unneccessary intro "cheesy" synth bits as I like to call it (I also felt the new Dishwalla album had too many of those on it which spoilt it in a lot of places). I feel synth is great for melody but dont start playing guitar like pickign arranagements (if you know what I mean) it was not meant for that!

9. Learn to Crawl - I love this song like many people - its got a killer riff and I love the "na na na" bit so much its almost the best bit!

10. Wide Open - there synth bits in the song are good like in "remember" - I think you can see a contrast in what I mean if you compare the songs I have mentioned. I feel this song goes on a bit long - the outro feels never ending - but otherwise its a catchy song with a great bridge (though I don't understand what the screamy bit is for! and I have never liked screaming in songs!)

11. Lifelike - This song has grown on me and I find myself singing it more than anything else without even realising it - its is insanely catchy I find and the way it slows down and speeds up is a great contrast. A good song!

12. Circus Lights - This is one of my favourite songs on the album - how can this be the least interesting song on the album? the guitar parts alone are the most interesting on the entire album and again it has the punchy drumming I love and the chorus is so catchy and heartfelt I can feel it all the way inside me! and as for the bridge as had already been commented that is so powerful and perfectly fits the song and then goes back into teh chorus and I just want more and more like this! Brilliant!

I forgot to add one thing about "See the Sun". Like Jon S., I like the high notes at the end of this song very, very much. I think Paul channels the Mars Volta there, which is niiiiiice.

-Jon

Its different than YBAM, thats for sure. Its better than YBAM in my opinion. I am not a fan of electronic/synth themes in general, but I think that they work great on this album. I like all the songs (Circus Lights being my least favorite and Tell Me Why my most favorite).

I'll preface my review of the album track-by-track by saying that some of the tracks, in their older incarnations, have been with me for 7 or 8 years now, and have been very much a part of me all that time. So that's going to make me a little biased. If you haven't heard these older demo tracks, I highly suggest you do - if i'm allowed to suggest that. Paul and band: I owe you a sizeable check for lost royalties; but I'll make you a deal. Put out anything, even a playing card smeared with margarine, and I'll buy it.

Here we go:

1. See the Sun - this version has now really grown on me and I prefer it to the earlier versions. The guitar line has changed drastically, but the melody is still sweet and the instrumentation is quite sublime.

2. Remember - I instantly loved this track on the "I Feel Fine" EP - it was achingly evocative and hauntingly melodic. And I still love it.

3. Lonely Boy - mixed feelings here. The piano part really adds to the song and gives it a great even tempo. I like it because it's simple and it sounds quite like the piano part in "Cigarettes Will Kill You" by Ben Lee, which is also an excellent song. I'm not suggesting a link there - in fact I doubt anyone outside Australia will even know who Ben Lee is. He used to date Clair Danes, and he once got called a "precocious little c***" by Bernard Fanning from Powderfinger - another band that is HUGE in Australia but never made much of a splash elsewhere.
But I digress - what irks me about this track is the new lyrics. They're a little too post-post-post-punk-emo for my liking. At least it still has one of my favouritest song lyrics ever: "you say I should wrap all the lies I've told in ten dollar bills and smoke 'em; money doesn't burn so clean".

4. Perfect Girl - The music sounds a lot better, a lot tighter, but I do miss the older, rawer words. Good to see the irony was not lost though.

5. Ecstasy - see above for track 2.

6. Tell Me Why - an excellent song excellently retouched.

7. Without You - this is one track I wasn't prepared for. I'm used to Black Lab songs creeping in on me like the afternoon sun, but this one just rushes right at you, and it's intoxicating. I love the whole wall of sound thing. It's a little different in tone too. To me, this track sounds like Good Charlotte on a really, really good day. Surprisingly (to me anyways), that's not an insult. This is fast becoming my favourite track on the album.

8. Dream in Colour - I love this song to bits, simple as it is, and the retouching has only improved it.

9. Learn to Crawl - I have to admit I'm one of those who never really liked this song. I'm proud as hell it made it onto the soundtrack of such a hit movie; I completely understand why it was on the EP; but by now I've heard enough of it, and it doesn't seem to fit thematically or stylistically with the rest of the album. The only track I'd consider skipping.

10. Wide Open - not bad, not great. For some reason the title makes me think of Anna Nicole Smith...

11. Lifelike - another slight change in direction, very catchy and kind of cute. A bit of a darkhorse that will probably be my favorite song 10 listens from now.

12. Circus Lights - because I've heard the original, quite disappointing. I loved it when it was a simple 4 chord acoustic song, and I don't think it needed complicating. The new lyrics don't add anything for me, and in fact take away from the tragic romance of the story. What place does semblance of hope have in popular music anyway?!

All in all, a cohesive and hugely entertaining album. I hope to play if often for uninitiated friends, and when they ask who it is, I'll tell them it's my favorite band, Black Lab.

As someone who plays guitar I appreciate how songs are structered and sound when put together - and I cannot understand how you could prefer the demo version of "Circus Lights" ? Purely from a musicianship point of view the new version is off the scale in beng better - anyway I get the feeling that the more you listen to the song the more it will grow on you until I believe you will change your mind about the new version!

One thing I did notice about the original version is the chorus - the actual sung part is not as clear and not as polished - obviously that is because the other version is not a finished version BUT still Paul seem to sing with more conviction and more in time with the other lyrics so the chorus just jumps out more in the new version.

all I can say is, you guys rule.

p

Alright, I finally feel like I've listened to the record enough to come up with a suitable review, so here goes.

YBAM came out when I was thirteen years old and for a good year and a half, it never left my CD changer. It was part of my early teenage years, that post-high school year where I freaked out and tried to figure out what to do with my life, and is still relevant now that I'm masquerading as a somewhat responsible adult. And although BL isn't my favorite band (no, they rest in the #2 spot in my heart), I fancy myself a writer from time to time, and whenever I'm asked about my influences, Paul is always the first answer I give. He's inspired me to write multiple stories and songs over the past few years, and is someone I look up to.

With all that rambling aside, initially I was disappointed in See The Sun because it wasn't what YBAM was for me initially. Lyrically, it was still there, but musically I wasn't feeling it. As a whole I was expecting it to still let off that dark feeling of YBAM and how the I Feel Fine EP felt as a whole. This is definitely a record with a more modern feel than YBAM, and it took about three listens for me to accept the updated sound. Then again, I do have a hard time letting go of things. Once I was able to accept that and move on, I got with the groove and can now say that I think this is an awesome record.

They say you should start with a negative and end on a positive, so we'll go there first. For me, "Without You" and "Dream In Color" don't really fit. I also prefer the older version of "See The Sun" - I think it was darker and sexier the other way, but both of those are personal preferences. Standing alone, all three are good songs as always.

The only real honest-to-God disappointment that remains is that "Gone" wasn't included. As I seem to recall it was only a demo, but a finished version of this song would have really enhanced the record. I absolutely think it's one of the best songs ever written, and probably my second-favorite Paul-written song.

And now onto the good and the great and the fantastic. "Tell Me Why" and "Lifelike" are songs that I like a lot, but haven't fallen in love with. "Remember" and "Ecstasy" are still fucking fantastic, and "Learn To Crawl" still leaves me drained at the end, which is a good thing. I do love "Perfect Girl" as well, which is an amazing song in every incarnation.

"Lonely Boy" and "Circus Lights" - I think both are good, good songs, ESPECIALLY the latter. I was absolutely not a fan of their original incarnations. So I listened to both with a good bit of anxiety, and found that I really enjoyed the hell out of the album versions. I think that the closing track of a CD can be really make-or-break, and "Circus Lights" definitely lives up to the challenge that "Gates Of the Country" left before it. The last half of the song really blows my mind.

Lastly, "Wide Open." Dear God. This song has that awesome dark vibe plus the newer Black Lab sound, and I honestly can't imagine it being more perfect. Definitely the best track on this record, the one I relate to most, and musically and lyrically better than anything else out there right now.

So, in short: was initially a little bummed, quickly rebounded, and "Wide Open," "Perfect Girl" and "Circus Lights" are damn incredible songs that are my personal highlights of the record. If I were the nerdy star-giving kind, it would've initially gotten about six and a half stars, but now definitely an eight and counting. This has been a big year for my favorite bands and music, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's this:

The truth is, sometimes it's not as important how you feel about a record the first time you hear it, but how you feel about it when you listen to it years later. And I think this one will be one I'm proud to say I own.

Ashleigh

1. See the Sun - I LOVE driving to this song. Doesn't it feel like it should be in a movie? Some girl in a convertible driving off into the sunset... the video for this is amazing - mostly becdause Andy never loses his cig.

2. Remember - Powerful. Paul must have been envisioning something/one when he belts out "Do you remember?" A lot of people can relate to this situation where they feel they love more than they are loved.

3. Lonely Boy - One of my favorites. Why do I keep thinking of that one "Chicago" song? Despite that crazy references - LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. Best pregnant pause: "I'm the lonely boy who....who loves you."

4. Perfect Girl - Definetly harder, more dark like YBAM. I think this song is much needed and crucial to maintaining blacklab's rock appeal.

5. Ectasy - At first I was like ... huh? But I really like this now. The lyrics are what really makes this song.

6. Tell Me Why - The irony of this song is that it may be my favorite, but it sounds nothing like blacklab. One thing I adored about the band was that they never sounded over produced. (Unlike the bands out there now) "Tell Me Why" is a bonafide single, it's catchy, has great music, and those listening would have no clue blacklab was a rock band. I think a live, accoustic version of this song would be AMAZING. However, music works in mysterious ways - I am fully addicted to this song.

7. Without You - " I think about California, I think about burning down this town..." I relate. 'Nuff said.

8. Dream In Color - NO! I LOVED the version from "Songs from the 1990s" Why did it change? Same as "Tell Me Why" - a little too produced, not gruff and natural enough. I like it, but still I shed a tear - it was a lot better left in its original form.

9. Learn to Crawl - YAY! blacklab is back! As much as I love the power ballads (and hated spiderman) I love when my boys get back to rocking!

10. Wide Open - good, very good.The small snippet of accoustic guitar is a great touch.

11. Lifelike - Bordering on the "produced" side - but I love how the song really focuses on Paul's voice. I can see a lot of band's covering this song for their own shows.

12. Circus Lights - When I ordered my "Songs from the..." cd I begged Paul to put this song on their new cd. (Not that I'm taking credit for their choice - I'm sure it had nothing to do with me) I found this song on the Internet in it's more primal form and instantly fell in love with it. I LOVE this version. It's a beautiful song and probably my favorite next to "Gates of the Country" and the b-side "Underground."

All in all: Very different from YBAM - not as dark and hard. Still, a keeper. I think for their junior album, a little more rock, a little less happy. But thanks for "Circus Lights." I really think "Underground" should read the masses. Also- COME TO THE EAST COAST! Why should California have all the fun? I really really enjoy Black Lab... thank you for the wonderful music.

Aside from all of the stuff I've heard from Black Lab totally making me withdraw from reality for at least a month while I listen to it non-stop.. I have a lot to say about the music. The new music that is.

Without blithering too long, Black Lab is inexplicably special for me, it spans a decade of my life where everything has changed, everything you could ever imagine, (and not usually for the best) and yet the constant was music, in particular the band I kept coming back to.. Black Lab.

See the Sun for me is something like an affirmation of what I love so much about music - it makes you feel things. And few bands these days can make shivers run down my spine whenever I listen to them, wherever I am. It's truly rare. And special.
So on with the review...

1. See the Sun - I had been waiting for this song probably the most. I had the older version on mp3 a few years ago, but my pc got wiped and I lost all my old Black Lab stuff, which I desperately miss. But this track makes me smile, it lights you up when you listen to it. Its the feeling of beaming emotion, that makes you smile, makes you wide awake with life, and it just epitomises a careless state of 'feeling fine..'
And I know we don't like Sony, but whenever I play it, I can see the little robot guy from the old site in my head. And he makes me smile, so yeh.. smiles for that one.

2. Remember - First heard this one on the See the Sun EP, and it still carries the same feeling. It's so much passion in one song, and I know it's been said before - but it is like feeling you're the one entrapped by love, and that feeling of clinging to everything the other half of the situation throws to you.. and it's like trying to get them to remember how much they feel. Even if they don't know it. At the end, it's like trying to let go, trying to walk away but not being able to. And that in particular is something I can relate to just now.

3. Lonely Boy - I always knew this as 'You Say'. And this has to be one of my favorite set of lyrics ever. The other version used to be that almost sarcastic 'I'd sell it cheap to you' almost like a comeback in a drunken fight. The new version doesn't detract anything from the song, I love it so much, and it is without a doubt one of the most played Black Lab songs for me. I must have been at least 2326 of the plays of this on the myspace page, because when I first discovered it, I could not stop listening to it. At all.

4. Perfect Girl - This is very much like the old sound. To me, I guess this is the old sound, because I put it way back with YBAM because of the fact I made a cd of my own with all the old mp3's on it. The older version was gritty, but I love this one just as much because of how it's done, I can even forgive the change in the lyrics - even if I do end up singing the wrong ones constantly I like how this keeps the old sound. And I want to see this played live.......hint hint.......

5. Ecstasy - Again, another track I must have played over and over. I remember when we only had that 30 second clip of this. It's such a powerful song, and I really really love Eve on this. The lyrics have so much truth in them.
I constantly picture some kind of video to this, where there's a car, and a road, and a gun, and a girl. It may sound strange, I guess it's just my interpretation of it. I love the low smooth tone of the verses, and Eve just sets this song off. Love it Love it Love it

6. Tell Me Why - Now... contrary to what other people think, I reckon this is a bit more like the old Black Lab, the sound of the guitar is at least. I find this unmistakeably Black Lab, and Paul's voice just adds to the whole thing. I do love the guitar bits, the start of this is very much YBAM. I couldn't stop listening to this either, once I played it through. I really couldn't imagine this being the same song if someone else had sung it, which means to me that Paul isn't just a voice over the track, he is part of the music. This is something rare to find in music these days.. at least I think so.

7. Without You - Another one I really relate to just now. The lyrics are like something I could have written myself which brings me to a point I've not commented on much - Paul really writes like he's in your head. I can't even say how much this is just me at the moment, there's so much passion here, so much to say and so much that is said in this song. I love it.

8. Dream in Colour - I like this, I haven't ever heard this one before, and it's taking the time to grow on me, but I really like this one too. It's a change, it's calm yet passionate, and the lyrics hold true.

9. Learn to Crawl - I've always loved this, ever since I heard it. I listened to it first when I was in France, and that forever stuck. It's constantly been associated with that summer, my holiday, and it was the song I got everyone into that summer. It's the song that made a lot of people Black Lab Fans. It's the powerufl chorus that does it for me. Shivers. All. Over.

10. Wide Open - Synthy. Nice. Like a slower version of Perfect Girl, without the dirty grunge of guitar over it. That is until the lyrics kick in, and then it makes the song it's own. I have a lot of time for this. It's growing on me.

11. Lifelike - Hmm. I'm not sure on this one, I feel undecided. I like the slowness when the beat cuts out, and you're left with just Paul. I could imagine this being a good song at an intimate gig.. with an acoustic guitar.

12. Circus Lights - Has to be my ULTIMATE highlight of the CD. I too dug up the reeeeeally old version and I fell in love with it. And that is literal, I fell in love and that song was like a soundtrack playing constantly for a while. I get fanatical talking about this song, the lyrics are the happiest but the saddest lyrics I have ever heard, and the epitomise meloncholy better than anything else I know.
This song makes me want to hug myself close, breathe someone in, feel like I belong, it's the ultimate song for me at the moment, and it just leaves you soaring. Beautiful.

I know that was fairly long, and quite a bit of blithering went on there. But it's my opinion, of what I feel when this music hits my ears. I can't put half of it into words. But minus the drama of this next statement, Black Lab has kept me alive, through a lot of stuff.
I'm dying for some chance to hear all of the old tracks again, pictures of people in particular. I want to see a tour. But for now, I'm happy playing the CD on constant repeat, for a little while longer. Above all, I'm eternally grateful to Paul for this. The music that changed my life, but kept it the same.

Sar.

Just a question as I have been toying with a review for some time now-
Do you prefer a song by song breakdown as several fans have done, or would you like me to do one more in the style as say AMG would do, just breaking down the overall feel of the album?