Released May 20th, 2009.
When John Nolan and Shaun Cooper split from Taking Back Sunday in 2003 it was pretty sure that they were going to need to continue in music. Not only was Nolan a gifted song writer but both men were seasoned road veterans at that point. So in conjunction with Will Noon and John's sister Michelle, they created Straylight Run. Over the course of a little over three years with this line-up they managed to create two albums and two EPs worth of material including their self titled debut, The Needles, The Space, Prepare to be Wrong and a covers EP. Then Michelle split, amicably, to create her new project called Destry.
Straylight rolled on, creating a great EP with 2008's Un Mas Dos, and finally with last year's About Time. It seems sad to me that this will probably be the last new material that we hear from Straylight. It is sad for two reasons; one, it is probably the best set of songs that Straylight have ever released, and two, they announced the dreaded "indefinite hiatus" just two weeks ago.
While this EP is just four songs it is just perfect for the band. Straylight has always struck me as a group that is better perfecting single songs than whole albums, and it shows with this EP. Each song is just so consistent and well constructed, the lyrics, instruments, the vocals, and the whole feel of the album is just so balanced. It is urgent but not rushed, loving but disconnected from the needs of the audience. Opener "I'm through with the past, but the past isn't through with me" is cathartic, but beautifully loving song that runs like a pop version of "A slow descent." It touches on so many of the problems the band has faced over the years, i.e. never ending comparisons to Taking Back Sunday, the endless drama from outside media, the terrible record labels that did not understand the talent these people have, and finally the normal woes of being in a traveling band. It is just so wonderful when you understand that John Nolan really wants to be finished with all the drama and just write beautiful music.
Second track "The Great Compromise" is a cacophony of jazz time signatures, wandering bass, and driving vocals. "I got to where I am by giving up on who I was" Nolan sings, and you can understand that he really gave up on many of the pieces he wrote long ago. It is a striking song that plays well on the A side with the opener.
"Don't count me out" plays more friendly with the A sides because it is a beautiful mid tempo song that rolls through the verse and chorus in quick step, and while it is not a misstep on this album by any means, it is the song that sticks out as weird in the set.
The final track "Mile After Mile" is one of the most haunting tracks about being on tour that I have ever heard, it rolls through the acoustics like a revved up version of "Ride" by Cary Brothers, however the lyrics are much more powerful and emotion than Cary Brothers could ever do. It is a touching, poignant tribute to the power of true love on the road trying endlessly to get home.
Over the years it has been interesting to see the progression of the three Long Island songwriters that came up at the same time. John Nolan chose to write from a pop perspective, while Adam Lazarra and TBS wrote to the emo radio crowd that are slowing dying away, and Jesse Lacey is writing music that is only for his own self and people still love him for it. It is an interesting progression; however, the sad fact is that all three bands while still being talented will only live on in the shadow of the larger more radio friendly bands. They may have huge followings but it would be a rare thing to hear anything off of Daisy, Tell All Your Friends, or this album on the air of a commercial radio station. That is the sad, powerful legacy of these bands, they will live for a long time in the minds of those that saw them in the heyday or met them, but those that didn't pay attention will lose them forever.
Rating - 5 out of 5
Favorite Songs - All of them
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