Saosin – Along the Shadow

When Saosin announced a reunion with original vocalist Anthony Green in 2014, it sent the post-hardcore scene into a frenzy. Green’s last (and only) appearance on a Saosin studio record was back in 2003 on the band’s debut EP Translating the Name and, despite its age, it remains a memorable and iconic record that helped define a genre. If you’re expecting Along the Shadow to continue the energetic tempos, memorable riffs and signature vocals of the debut EP then you’ll need time to adjust; a lot can change in 13 years, particularly since Green has spent the majority of his time fronting the more ambient Circa Survive.

Along the Shadow is not the Saosin we remember from all those years ago, resting somewhere between Translating the Name, Saosin’s debut album and early Circa Survive. Translating the Name didn’t allow much empty space, the drums being ferocious and relentless, squeezing in fills and cymbals wherever possible, among ever-dominant vocals. Here, the songs have much more room to breathe, opener “The Silver String” being an ideal demonstration. The drums are effective but reserved, allowing Green’s well chosen melodies to ring out and take hold against Beau Burchell’s clever riffs.

“Ideology as Theft” is perhaps the most prominent tribute to the band’s older sound. It’s refreshing to hear Green’s revived scream and this harsher side to his voice is an excellent contrast against his soothing singing voice. “Second Guesses” slows the mood with a poppy, ballad of a song that sounds more like a Circa Survive song but with Rodriguez’s distinctive drum grooves it works well and gives the record a change of pace.

The middle of the album settles into a mid-tempo rhythm and it’s here that the record could do with more dynamic shifts. While the songs are still effective, this consistent pace over the central section makes the album a little bogged down. “The Secret Meaning of Freedom” thankfully picks the pace back up towards the back of the album to give the record an injection of pace to end on.

Part of me wanted to be transported back to 2003 to relive the excitement of Anthony Green-era Saosin all over again, but that temporary hit of nostalgia would’ve made this record a novelty, or worse a memorial. The pace of the album is understandably slower but the band have crafted a series of excellent songs that benefit from not treading the same worn path. What Along the Shadow lacks in the youthful energy and raw emotion of the band’s first EP is more than made up for in mature songwriting. With this reunion hurdle negotiated and the creative process still very much alive, we’ll be hoping for more from the band in the future.