When Shane Told from Silverstein embarked upon writing the band’s latest album, A Shipwreck in the Sand, he drew inspiration from a very powerful source. Boredom. “All three previous records had been written the same way. We would jam until we had enough songs and then work out an order for them. We were bored of doing the same thing.”
After boredom, however, came a thirst for change. Silverstein’s career at this point was defined by songs and albums that focused on personal struggles. Their last album Arrivals & Departures was entirely written about a seven year long relationship of Shane’s that had just ended. Now A Shipwreck in the Sand follows the story of a family who experience a horrific set of circumstances which parallel the defunct state of much of the planet. In Shane’s own words “the world is pretty fucked up right now. That was the biggest motivation behind the album.”
So from a band that predominately wrote about heartbreak Shane believes Silverstein have matured musically enough to tackle politics in the concept album format. “If somebody had a gun to your head and asked you what really concerns you that answer is always bound to change. This record has a lot of political undertones to it. It is a political record. That’s not something I would have done eight years ago.”
Shane, however, admits that writing A Shipwreck in the Sand was not an easy task. Taking over a year to produce the finished product, a great deal of creative planning was involved. While grappling with an emotionally heavy topic and the rigors of producing a worth while ‘concept’ Shane’s main concern was writing an album that everyone would want to listen to over and over. “I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to write a concept album. But it really came out great. It was difficult, it was a lot of work but it came together so well. If people listened to this album one hundred times each it would make me really happy.”
Musically A Shipwreck on the Sand showcases Silverstein’s gradual progression towards a heavy metal sound. Song such as Born Dead drag the album deep into ‘hardcore’ territory. “We have always written lyrics separate to music. We have always been influenced by metal bands. It really works for the concept of the record though.”
Yet one last frontier remains unexplored in this concept album. So often bands who embark on such an ambitious project become drawn into a narcissistic level of musical experimentation. This is perhaps the reason why concept albums are surrounded by such turbulent criticism. But for Shane Told a respect for the band’s roots and the accessibility of the album were always a major concern. “I like the experimental stuff a little but for our band I just don’t really know if it’s right. It might be fun for us but not for those listening. I don’t want someone to listen and think it is boring. We are just gonna try and write great song.”
It is this endearing dose of modesty that has lead to Silverstein producing a very rounded and polished album in A Shipwreck in the Sand. When I read the following quote from a press release about the album: “After A Shipwreck In The Sand it will be easy to understand why Silverstein are in the ranks of bands like Rise Against and the Foo Fighters,” Shane’s response was a small chuckle and “I don’t think we are in the ranks of those bands. I’m not sure if this record will get us there. I don’t compare our band to other bands. This record we are really happy with it. I think people are going to embrace it.”
A Shipwreck in the Sand is in full release as of the 31st of March.
Published @ www.fasterlouder.com.au
Link: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/17863/Silverstein.htm
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