Do you remember those Victory Records commercials that regularly appeared on Fuse? Rather, do you even remember Fuse? If you can say “yes” to one or both of these inquiries, you’re old and weathered, but likely a fan of Silverstein and you are probably wearing a pair of Hurley board shorts as you read this. If not, get off our lawn, hoser. We’d like to give special thanks to both Tony Brummel’s TV advertising budgets (not him; Google it) and “Steven’s Untitled Rock Show” for alerting many about Toronto’s favorite sons. Anyway, the five-piece known as Silverstein has been plugging away for over two decades and has a plethora of music in the form of EPs, live records, compilations, re-recorded songs, and eleven full-lengths to speak for it. See below for the album rankings from one of the better and more underrated bands from The Great White North, Silverstein:
11. Arrivals & Departures (2007)
After the band’s breakout 2005 LP “Discovering the Waterfront” the online buzz on its upcoming follow-up 2007 record “Arrivals & Departures” weeks before its release was said to break the band out into the newly multi-platinum world of both Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold. Sadly, it was more of a departure than an arrival. The band has expressed displeasure towards this full-length many times in the press, and we agree tenfold. Happily, things would soon get better for all outside of your boomer parents.
Play it again: “If You Could See Into My Soul”
Skip it: “Vanity and Greed”
10. Short Songs (2012)
As ambitious, original, and creative as this nearly-twenty-minute twenty-two-song-release of the appropriately titled “Short Songs” was to listen to front-to-back in 2012, it just doesn’t hold up in 2023 compared to the next nine LPs. Still, for ‘90s punk rock historians, the cover versions of both Gob’s “236 E. Broadway” and NOFX’s “It’s My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite” are fun as fun can be. In closing, Skee-Lo proved that good things sometimes come in small packages, and this LP is nothing short of a six-four Impala.
Play it again: “236 E. Broadway (Originally by Gob)”
Skip it: “Scenes From Parisian Life (Originally by The Promise Ring)”
9. When Broken Is Easily Fixed (2003)
We suck, we know. This album totally rules, we know. The band’s debut fan-favorite LP “When Broken Is Easily Fixed” was a solid introduction to Silverstein in 2003, but after a revisit, the album sounds very young in a non-flattering way. If you disagree, and we know that you truly do for both this ranking entry and its “skip it” section, make your own damn list and post it on Friendster for at least one click. Maybe if this entire album was re-recorded a la the more than solid recent two-part “Redux” series it would’ve been listed higher here, and what’s subjectively broken would have been objectively fixed.
Play it again: “Smashed Into Pieces”
Skip it: “Wish I Could Forget You”
8. Rescue (2011)
Although pretty uneven at times, “Rescue,” Silverstein’s first post-Victory Records release and debut outing for Hopeless Records, is likely Silverstein’s most slept-on LP. “Sacrifice” is easily a top five single of all time for the band, and “The Artist” (featuring fellow Canadian band Counterparts’ lead singer Brendan Murphy) is an aggressive headbanger (or banger if you talk like an infant) as well. Honestly, if the band modified the release from twelve songs to nine or ten, the album would’ve been revered much, much more.
Play it again: “Sacrifice”
Skip it: “Live To Kill”
7. A Shipwreck in the Sand (2009)
“A Shipwreck in the Sand,” Silverstein’s first-ever concept album and subsequent follow-up to the poopy, poopy misstep listed at number eleven, satisfied both the end of the band’s contract with Victory Records and their many ardent fans rooting for the act to return to glorious form. Going back to Canada with Terrance, Phillip, and producer Cameron Webb in lovely, lovely Mississauga, Ontario, was a smart and extremely triumphant move for the group. P.S. The bonus track cover of The Beatles’ composition/album/movie theme song “Help!” slaps (if you talk like an infant II).
Play it again: “Vices” (featuring Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats)
Skip it: “The Tide Raises Every Ship”
6. Misery Made Me (2022)
Silverstein’s most recent 2022 outing “Misery Made Me,” is the band’s second most emo-sounding record title referencing oneself and is quite a solid listen front-to-back. Also, its Deluxe album cover looks cool AF when one views it on Apple Music. Go there right now and read on whilst your mouth stays open for all eleven songs of the non-Deluxe version. Sick, eh? Anyway, since we were given the tough task of ranking ELEVEN albums, we must note that the record just isn’t as memorable as the following releases.
Play it again: “The Altar/Mary”
Skip it: “Don’t Wait Up”
5. I Am Alive in Everything I Touch (2015)
“I Am Alive in Everything I Touch,” Silverstein’s first of two albums for Rise Records, is another concept album for the five-piece, and a very, very solid one at that. Speaking of the number five, we mentioned that “Sacrifice” is a top five single for the band and “A Midwestern State of Emergency” is definitely at the top of the singles heap, showcasing every positive element of both the MidBEST and Silverstein (aggression, melody, and sweet endearing accents) in their respective highest approach. What a milestone! Just try NOT to headbang to that nasty guitar riff.
Play it again: “A Midwestern State Of Emergency”
Skip it: “Desert Nights”
4. A Beautiful Place to Drown (2020)
One badass point to note about this recent 2020 outing (and first for label UNFD; this band definitely experiments with a sort of scene swinger “Eyes Wide Shut”-esque relationship for various indie labels, but we digress) is that the many features from diverse acts as Underoath, Simple Plan and Princess Nokia make “A Beautiful Place to Drown” feel like a Warped Tour veteran’s rock-based hip-hop album. Despite us ranking this just below third and not qualifying for a top-three medal, that’s not a dig! Sincerely. Plus, this album also has FOUR singles and all of them are beyond catchy.
Play it again: “Infinite” (featuring Aaron Gillespie of Underoath)
Skip it: “September 14th”
3. Discovering the Waterfront (2005)
Sorey, sorey, sorey: We suck part two as Silverstein’s biggest-selling album “Discovering the Waterfront” isn’t ranked higher here in this article or your bedroom. Like we mentioned in the truly well-written and insightful opening to this piece, along with popular songs by then-labelmates Hawthorne Heights and Atreyu, Silverstein’s “Smile In Your Sleep” was appropriately featured in Victory Records’ commercials on Fuse Ad Nauseam. Call it bloody karma. Also, we’re almost at the twenty year mark for this now classic LP, so hire your sitters two years in advance and come out to see the band likely play this front-to-back at your favorite venue in 2025! Or don’t, rodeo clown.
Play it again: “Your Sword Versus My Dagger”
Skip it: “Always And Never”
2. Dead Reflection (2017)
“Dead Reflection,” Silverstein’s ninth total album and final release via Rise Records, features two singles that showcase the band at both its catchiest (“The Afterglow”; so infectious, sis) and riffiest (“Retrograde”; so tight, bro). Also, it must be said that many thought that the band would have become a long gone ghost by this time in their impossible-to-predict extensive timespan, and would have featured their last looks albums ago, but they were so, so wrong! We also love the bold and bright album cover sans band and album title words. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Play it again: “Ghost”
Skip it: “Secret’s Safe”
1. This Is How The Wind Shifts (2013)
And another concept album for the win! Yup. Silverstein recently announced a ten-year anniversary tour for 2013’s “This Is How The Wind Shifts,” a perfect listen from start to finish, and we hope that that run sells like guns in the States or poutine in Canada. For vivid proof of our correct opinion on this fan-favorite LP, we didn’t include any tracks to skip below; the album is just that good. Yup. It should also be mentioned that the new addition of Paul Marc Rousseau as an official band member for this record started part two for this band, and the sequel has been quite an enjoyable and fulfilling romp since. Yup. Listen to this album right now and scream!
Play it again: “Massachusetts”
Skip it: Don’t do that. Bad.
To be honest, the only thing that would improve Kiss is if every member of the band was replaced by Andrew. Even then I’m not sure it’d be enough.
Shoegaze bands are notorious for their immobility on stage. That’s boring to look at. I want to see a singer do mid-air kicks and throw punches with no regard for their personal surroundings and shit. Kevin Shields could never.
There’s no denying that Cannibal Corpse’s music rips. But their vocalist’s death growl reminds me of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” grunt. Replacing him with Andrew could be the missing link that would make them a household name.
An Andrew W.K.-era Misfits lineup would totally make up for the Graves era and whatever that era was where Jerry Only was the lead singer.
There’s nothing worse than an emo band that doesn’t look like they play the sport they’re named after. Andrew at least bears resemblance to someone who could be a backup linebacker.
Black Francis looks less like a lead singer of a band and more like a roadie of a band. If anything, Andrew would be more of a cosmetic change.
If Andrew W.K. replaced Dave Matthews as the Dave Matthews in Dave Matthews Band I would have no choice but to start wearing a hemp necklace, cargo shorts, and sandals. Actually, this is not ideal.
The only thing stopping me from enjoying this band is their asshole lead singer. That and their music, lyrics, social media presence, and overall aesthetic. Andrew would at least fix one of their many issues.
Vocalists shouldn’t bum you out when they’re singing. They should inspire you to buy a six-pack on a Tuesday on your way to commit petty crimes with best friends in the name of “living your best life.”
Andrew W.K., Andrew W.K., Andrew W.K., and Andrew W.K. just rolls off the tongue better.
The Killers pioneered Mormon rock for some reason. There should be a clear separation between church and music. Unless, of course, you’re Andrew W.K., who once titled an album “God is Partying.” Preach.
It’s not about Deryck Whibley being a poor lead singer so much as him being 5’7”. Andrew W.K. is 6’3”. That’s a frontman I can get behind.
There’s no doubt the Smiths were talented at writing music. Most Smiths songs start off with a Johnny Marr guitar riff that grabs your attention before Morrissey’s voice makes you go “yeah, no.” I’d like to listen to more than 20 seconds of a Smiths song before I have to turn it off.
I can’t understand a single word Eddie Vedder says. Even if I can’t decipher everything W.K. says, I know what the subject matter is going to be about.
I don’t know what a ska band would sound like with Andrew W.K. at the helm, but I’m willing to give it a go.
Billy Corgan is severely lacking in exuberance levels and overall charm. It’s the main thing holding this band back.
“Sublime with Rome with Andrew W.K.” may be a mouthful, but it’s worth the extra syllables if it means I’d be inclined to actually listen to them.
The main problem with boy bands is that there aren’t any grown men in them willing to have a bloody nose on their album covers.
311 has two primary vocalists. I can’t keep up with that many. You could just consolidate them into one Andrew W.K. and make everyone happy.
Well we had to start somewhere, and it had to be their debut album. “Shallow” comes out of the gate swinging (as an eight-track album should, there’s limited time damn it) but overall doesn’t say a whole lot that’s super consequential, unless you’re the kind of person who gets irrationally angry over having a head cold. Though what it lacks in the lyrics department is made up for in feedback-laden raw energy and hilarious self-deprecation. The one-two combo of the script flipping “Closet Marine” and “I Broke My Own Heart” are the glue that holds the album together.
Five albums and more than a decade into their existence, you can hear in Matt Korvette’s voice that he’s angrier than ever, his piercing scream now more of a guttural growl. “Why Love Now” covers the existential crisis of realizing our bodies are falling apart (“Waiting on My Horrible Warning”) along with the world around us, and that mediocrity is the new normal (“The Bar is Low”). The band sounds like they’re soundtracking the apocalypse while Korvette’s voice gets even more gravely as the album trudges on. Still, he makes a pretty good case for pegging on “Cold Whip Cream” so at least we can have some fun before the end times.
Remember when you graduated college ready to conquer the world only to realize that everyone sucks and the best days are behind you? Pepperidge Farms – I mean Pissed Jeans – does. It’s the darkest effort in their catalog, and a perfect soundtrack for mid-20s angst set to post-punk and old-school hardcore. Though as Korvette deftly illustrates throughout the album, the only thing worse than life not turning out how you expected is being a conformist tool. And yet on “I’ve Still Got You (Ice Cream)” he makes a compelling case that there’s still beauty in this world.
It’s a dangerous game when a band begins an album with the best song in its repertoire, but from the infinitely ass kicking “False Jesii, Pt. 2” the only way to go is up. You’d swear upon first listen that this was the second coming of Jesus Lizard. Korvette comes as close as he can to writing love songs with “She is Science Fiction” and “Lip Ring”, while also pointing out that as opposed to what Green Day has said, masturbation hasn’t lost its fun on “Pleasure Race”. Hell, it’s more fun than ever! “King of Jeans” is a perfect encapsulation of being in your late 20s/early 30s: the mind rages, but the body wants to stay in bed.
“Honeys” plays out like a day in the life of an office worker at 100 miles per hour. With opener “Bathroom Laughter” launching you out of bed like a screeching alarm clock when you’re already late for work, the next 40 minutes of “life is hell” affirmations are the boys at their best both sonically and lyrically. Dispensing hot tips on subjects like how to stay healthy (don’t go to the doctor) and keeping your partner happy (do the bare minimum, it’s fine), not a moment is wasted and you’re left with the satisfaction that someone out there would also do cartwheels if your boss died.
