Album Review: The Story So Far by The Story So Far

From Pure Noise

Words By: Emily Racanelli

The Story So Far: Same Melodies, More Fans

The self-titled record may only be the third full-length from California natives The Story So Far, but it’s quite obvious that these guys are already pop punk connoisseurs. High energy double bass kicks? Check. Catchy guitar riffs? Check. Relatable lyrics about being heartbroken and lost? Double check! Actually, the latter seems like the best place to start.

In his signature sing/scream, Parker Cannon conjures up a clever and daunting chorus for the song “How You Are.” Arguably some of the realest lyrics on the record, it goes “And I count the times that I’m driving home/And I’m talking to myself like I’m not alone/Trying to figure out who I’ve been running from.” Yes, the song might fit the stereotypical TSSF vibe, filled with distortion-heavy guitars and constant rhymes, but it stands on a level of it’s own with such powerful imagery. While bands seem to be criticized endlessly for having songs that sound the same or not ‘making progress’ with their records, TSSF manages to only increase their fan base as they stick to what they know best. This is because it doesn’t matter so much about what chords you’re playing or how many fills a drummer can incorporate into the lull, what matters is the words. Each time the chorus comes around, I can close my eyes and picture Cannon’s situation, driving by myself trying to figure how I let things spiral so far out of control. Not only can I put myself in his shoes, but I can recall being in that exact scenario, only wishing this song was around years ago to make me feel less alone.

It’s evident that these guys can stick to straightforward pop punk and still make an impact, but there is more to them than melodies that provoke the urge to spin in circles and put your fist through a wall. Dialing it down a notch to a tune reminiscent of the heartbreaking “Clairvoyant” comes “Phantom.” Only in this case, it is a predominately instrumental song that will bring you to tears upon hearing that drawn out guitar note, crescendoing in distortion and pairing nicely with the softer snare drum background. The note mimics the painful scream of someone coming to terms with the fact that “All of me is dark blue.” I don’t know how to do this song justice; I’ll just say that what makes it so unique is the capability of the music to do the job usually completed by lyrics: make you feel something. Yes, “Phantom” showcases Cannon’s diversity and ability to put some feeling other than anger into his lyrics, but the music is what will bring you to your knees.

Right when you collapse, the album balances itself out with some cathartic “This one goes out to my ex!” antics. “Heavy Gloom” is the perfect example! It hits a soft spot with everyone, telling the story of someone wishing nothing but the utmost misery on the person who abandoned them. The bass line opens up the song as Cannon confesses, “I’m still so frustrated cause I’m the one you cheated.” Fear not, this is not a song about sulking or being tossed aside, rather imagining the karma that will swing back around to your former muse. The second verse brings some fast-paced rhymes such as, “Was it fake the whole time?/Was it just instance?/Man it’s so personal yet it’s business/I want it to hit so close to home.” I feel an ounce of sympathy for whoever this girl is who left such a profound impact on Parker Cannon that he was able to write three albums worth of songs about her. Then again, I’d also like to thank her. A statement that holds true particularly to the pop punk genre, the most powerful lyrics come from pain. Not only is Cannon able to release his own demons and move on, but to provide hope for all the fans who feel they will never escape the ‘heavy gloom’ that lingers after a breakup.

This immense sadness and anger culminates into the ultimate stage of moving on, eloquently elaborated on in the closing song, “Stalemate.” The melodies might be relatively identical for each album from TSSF, but this difference with the self-titled record is the storytelling aspect. Instead of 10 songs spent in post-breakup denial and anger, Cannon matures and comes to terms with the fact that when somebody gives up on you, harping on the anger only gives them more of an advantage. The chorus expresses this transition, exclaiming, “Can’t ignore, won’t ignore/That I just don’t know you anymore.” An album that starts with long drives by yourself trying to feel less alone ends with acknowledgment that sometimes, you really are better off spending time by yourself. This holds a message that hopefully all fans can take note of: There’s no sense in ignoring the negative ways someone treats you. It might leave you angsty enough to write 3 popular and catchy albums, but there’s an equal chance that you’ll end up in a fetal position on the bathroom floor for a couple of weeks.

          

Will Cannon ever get over this breakup? I guess the next album will tell us! Regardless of what the themes may be, the fast-paced verses and prominent riffs are sure to retain fans for years to come, even if (on the off chance) Cannon actually finds himself in a decent relationship.