The Story So Far
The Story So Far
Pure Noise (2015)
Sounds like: sweet, sweet music that can turn that frown upside down
Score: 8/10
2014 was a rough year for me, and while I know it’s cliché to say, listening to The Story So Far really helped me grow and push through the rubble. Fast forward to 2015, a new year; better than the previous, hands down. It was also a new year for The Story So Far, with the release of a new self-titled record. A new record meant more genius music, which meant I HAD to own it. Even though I was extremely broke from not getting enough hours at work (yay life), I preordered the new record and anxiously waited for it to arrive.
On May 19th of 2015 the moment had finally arrived!
The first banger on the self-titled album is a song called “Heavy Gloom.” This track has a catchy beat that gets you singing along with frontman Parker Cannon, every time. My favorite line from the song says, “Was I too harsh in my lament for you that I fell so out of touch?” It’s the second song on the album so it pumps you up for the rest of the songs following it. The song “Solo” is next in line on the banger list. It talks a lot about feeling indigo which is a dark, poignant shade of the color blue, representing sadness or unhappiness.
If there’s anything you should know about The Story So Far’s writing, it’s that the dark blue theme is always central. I think a lot of people in the world can relate to “feeling indigo,” at least I know that I can (hence my 2014), and it’s comforting when you can find music that speaks to what you’re feeling. At the end of “Solo” Parker sings, “You’ve got what I need, you’re not what I need.” Who’s battled their head and heart before?! I know you’re out there, and wherever you are, listen to this song and feel it and love it.
My favorite song off this self-titled record is “How You Are.” The first time I listened to it, while reclined back in my car, I fell in love with The Story So Far all over again. On this track Parker, Kevin, Will, Kelen, and Ryan really work together in creating the perfect “Story So Far” sound. The number one thing that I take from this song is the comfortable feeling that I am my own person and I’m in control of me. It’s a song that has a really positive vibe to it and can pull you out of any slum you’re in. “I keep my distance now, forcing my jaw to smile,” is the part that gets my mind on track again.
Then there’s “Nerve.” “Nerve” was released for streaming on March 15, 2015 before the album dropped and after listening to it, I knew that the self-titled album was going to be better than ever. There’s no doubt that this song is the crowd pleaser and gets everyone going. “Cause somebody’s always asking who I do it for but I don’t wanna do it for you anymore,” is my personal favorite line from “Nerve” because who doesn’t love self-clarity?! That’s right, the whole world does. Which is why this album is worth embracing.
The last song I’d like to talk about comes with a story. On Aug. 2, 2015 The Story So Far was playing a sold out show at The Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles. I was in LA at the time but found out about the show too late and didn’t have a ticket. I didn’t let that dissuade me, and I had my friends drop me off at the venue anyways. I approached the first people I saw when I got out of the car and asked them if they knew of anyone selling extra tickets and they exclaimed that they were! I paid them for a ticket and headed into the venue. I couldn’t believe I actually got a ticket and was going to see my favorite band perform some of their new album at a sold out show!
As I stood waiting at the very front of the crowd, it was finally their turn to play. Their performance was everything I had dreamed of. It was the first time they had ever played the song “Phantom” from their self-titled album live. I got to hear it live FIRST! And let me tell you, “Phantom” is a beautiful song to hear face to face with the band. It’s the slow song on the record and taps into all your feels. “I can feel your phantom. All of me is dark blue. Picture you just dancing, dancing in your old room,” Parker sings. You get so used to The Story So Far’s music being loud and having yelly vocals but then they produce soft sounding songs like this one and it makes it impossible to not love everything they do.
This band has been a huge inspiration for me over the years and has really outdone themselves each time they release a new record. The Story So Far has also announced that they will be playing Extreme Thing this year which will be held on April 2nd at Desert Breeze Park! Not only do they sound great recorded but they are an incredible band live, so if you’ve never seen them perform or you’re a huge fan like I am, don’t miss this performance! It’s going to be a wild time.
-Rhiannon Price
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