If there's one thing the world doesn't need, it's another Dashboard Confessional. There is just something very wrong with the way Emo bands handle topics such as adulthood, war, peace, love - you know, the things that matter. Oh right! It's that they don't consider them at all. Emo groups and singers show how much some people can become wrapped up in themselves that it's truly un-healthy. So when I play Tyler Schwende the last thing I want to hear is Emo fueled acoustic songs, but that's just what I got.



Canadian born, Tyler boasts to have played 250 shows in two years. My only question: is this after or before the CD was recorded? If before then the poor quality of the performances can be excused; if after, then there is no excuse. Perhaps if you enjoy hearing some guy yelping and whaling into the microphone while strumming his guitar as hard as he can, then you'll enjoy this. For me though I would rather hear controlled skill and discipline, mixed with a voice that, if not trained to perfection, at least carries the listener on a trip through the music. Schwende's songs manage to confuse the listener with his own confused and angst filled lyrics instead of finding a way by manipulating the music.



The first song "Nightmare" sounds like the other 9 songs on the album; too fast, too shallow, and too emotional. The lyrics are cliched and follow a strange rhythm throughout the song that sets up a barrier between the accessibility of the music and your ears. Accompanying Schwende on the album is either a doubling of his own voice or someone who sounds just like him. This background voice waves back and forth in the background like a banner; showing more and more the fascination Schwende has in himself, rather then the world around him.



There is only enough room on Earth for one Emo singer/songwriter, and that is more because he is affecting and is able to draw listeners in with vivid lyrics and talented singing (I am referring once again to Dashboard here, who I am still not a fan of). Any more lyrics such as "One day I'll wake up and find out who I am" should be left on the page. There are much more successful ways to convey these emotions, if success is what you are looking for. Subtlety and literary devices can carry a song much farther than simply being direct, "honest", and emotional.



Track Listing

1 Intro

2 Nightmare

3 Poisoned (One Day)

4 Worth Living For

5 Don't Say

6 The Mistakes I Make

7 Crossings

8 Stepping Stones

9 My Vice, Your Tonic

10 February

11 Boundless