Still Searching

The group's debut album Let It Enfold You was released in September 2004,[4] and was a commercial success, going on to sell over 600,000 copies.[5] In September 2005, guitarist Heath Saraceno, formerly of Midtown, joined the band, replacing Dave Miller.[6] Between November and May 2006, the band wrote material[7] and demoed songs for their next album. They would spend 8–10 hours a day writing.[8] Around this time, vocalist Buddy Nielsen stopped taking antidepressants and started suffering from major anxiety attacks. In an effort to distract himself, the band went on tour. However, he would have panic attacks onstage. With no improvement in his condition, he was prescribed anxiety medication. Despite it helping his nerves, it left him unable to be excited. During this period, Nielsen began thinking about his goals and regrets, and determined to write material based on both.[7]

Still Searching was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York with producer Brian McTernan.[9] The studio is a converted barn, which the band lived in a house across from;[10] sessions lasted over six weeks[7] from May 2006.[11] McTernan, who also engineered the sessions, was assisted by Chris Laidlaw and Chris Hansen.[9] During some occasions, Nielsen had to stop recording due to his anxiety attacks.[7] According to guitarist Garrett Zablocki, despite them owning a number of guitars, only two were used for recording: a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom and a 1991 Gibson Les Paul Standard.[12] Drummer Dan Tapp used a custom C&C drum kit throughout the recording, unlike when they made Let It Enfold You, where he used different pieces from several kits.[13]

Nielsen said McTernan helped find the sonic depth they had been looking for: "We don’t want the songs to be flat planes; we want movement."[14] He named "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues" and "The Priest and the Matador" as two examples where McTernan "worked extremely hard to make them sound a certain way."[14] Paul Leavitt and Saraceno did Pro Tools editing. Chris Lord-Alge mixed the recordings, with assistance from Keith Armstrong, at Resonate Music in Burbank, California. Ted Jensen then mastered the recordings at Sterling Sound.[9] A 40-minute "making of" video of the album sessions was later released via Alternative Press.[15]

Between mid-June and mid-August, the band performed on the Warped Tour.[25] They performed two sets: one on the main stage and an acoustic set on the Vagrant stage.[26] On July 25, Still Searching was announced for release in October.[27] On August 4, the album's track listing and artwork were revealed.[28] The artwork was created by James Rheem Davis.[9] "Calling All Cars" was made available for streaming through AOL Radio on August 29.[29] In early September, the band filmed a music video for the track with director Jay Martin.[30] On September 11, "Shark Attack" was posted on the band's Myspace profile.[31] The following day, "Calling All Cars" was released as a single with "Stretch Your Legs to Coffin Length" as the B-side.[30] "Calling All Cars" was released to Modern rock radio stations on September 19.[32] In September and October, the band performed a handful of club shows.[27] On October 9, Still Searching was made available for streaming through the group's Myspace,[31] before being released the following day through Vagrant Records.[15]

Some copies of the album came with a making-of DVD. Best Buy and Target both had versions with their own exclusive bonus tracks. Wayne Pighini, Vagrant's head of marketing, said these companies were the two major retailers for the band, and the two that were the most successful with Let It Enfold You.[5] Also on October 10, the "Calling All Cars" music video was released through AOL.[33] In October and November, the group went on the international edition of the Taste of Chaos tour, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Europe.[34] In November and December, the band went on tour with Saosin,[35] Bleeding Through, Drive By and I Am the Avalanche.[36] On January 7, 2007, the band filmed a music video for "Can't Be Saved"[37] at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, California.[38] In January and February, the band went on a US tour with Saosin, Alexisonfire,[39] The Sleeping[40] and Set Your Goals.[41] Following this, they went on a brief headlining UK tour with The Sleeping.[42] From mid-February to early April, the band went on the Taste of Chaos tour.[43]

"Can't Be Saved" was released as a single on February 26.[44] On March 1, the band held a contest for a fan to write the storyline for a music video for "The Priest and the Matador".[45] In April, the band performed in the UK as part of the Give it a Name festival.[46] In early May, the band filmed a music video for "The Priest and the Matador". On May 18, the "Can't Be Saved" music video premiered through AOL.[47] In June, the band headlined the Zumiez Couch Tour in the US, and went on tour with From Autumn to Ashes.[48] In early October, "The Priest and the Matador" music video was released.[49] The band do not appear in the video, except for Nielsen who is arguing with a woman.[50] Nielsen In October and November, the band went on a co-headlining tour of the US with New Found Glory. They were supported by Set Your Goals[51] and The Receiving End of Sirens.[52] A deluxe edition of Still Searching was released on November 13. It featured six bonus tracks (two originals that were recorded previously in August, three B-sides and a cover of the Cranberries song "Salvation") and a DVD with behind-the-scenes tour footage.[53]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AbsolutePunk	75%[18]
AllMusic	[2]
Exclaim!	Favorable[1]
Gigwise	[23]
Melodic	[54]
MammothPress	7/10[55]
Sputnikmusic	4/5[20]
Ultimate Guitar	7.7/10[21]

The album was generally well received. AllMusic praised the improvement of the album over its predecessor; "The focus here is more on tense emo rock with a hard pop edge than scream-bloody-murder screamo -- since there is less emphasis on screaming -- yet the music remains wholly Senses Fail."[2] AbsolutePunk writer Drew Beringer commented on the album's improved lyrics and musicianship, and concluding by saying "Still Searching is quite the improvement, and while it leaves some to be desired, it shows that Senses Fail are on the right path to fully discovering themselves".[18] Mammothpress.com reviewed the album and gave it (7/10), stating "The band has improved in almost every way. The lyrics are better, the vocals are better, the screaming feels like it has a purpose now and the music sounds like an almost completely different band."[55]

Still Searching charted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 after selling over 49,000 copies in its first week.[56] The songs "Can't Be Saved", "The Priest and the Matador", "Shark Attack", and "Calling All Cars" are featured on the band's greatest hits album Follow Your Bliss: The Best of Senses Fail, released in May 2012.[57] In August of that year, Still Searching was released on vinyl.[58] In March and April 2017, the group celebrated 15 years as a band with a tour where they played Still Searching in its entirety.[59]

All songs written by Senses Fail, all lyrics written by Buddy Nielsen.[9]

Personnel per booklet.[9]

Citations

Sources

• Still Searching at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)