Album Details

• Artist: Bayside
• Album: Acoustic
• Label: Victory Records
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: blackxdan on 2009-03-02

In October of 2005, Bayside was involved in a terrible van accident which left one of their members injured and drummed John 'Beatz' Holohan dead.  With only two members left to continue their stint on The Never Sleep Again Tour, they decided to change their set from full band to acoustic.  I'm going to explain right now, why I voted for this album to be in the vault rather than the five start score I was going to give it earlier.  The reason this album should be in the vault is because it's a masterpiece.  Deep emotions can be heard through the speakers, through the beautiful music.  The song Winter is dedicated to John Beatz Holohan, and is one of the very best songs I have ever heard that was made to explain how hard it is to loose someone that became a brother to you.  Bayside fans, new and old, will love this album.  If you're a sucker for things acoustic, then you'll fall in love.  Either way, this album needs to be heard.

Winter is a great choice for an opening track since it was the death of their band mate which made this album even possible.  The songs lyrics are amazing, asking questions that come along with the grief of loosing someone.

"Should we still set his plate? Should we still save his chair? Should we still buy him gifts?  And if we don't, did we not care?  It makes you think about the life you've led, the shit you've done the things you've said.  And it's grounding, grounding.  I've been feeling three feet tall this month, hardly indestructable. But the snow melts, and the rhythm still goes on.  An angel got his wings, and we'll hold our heads up knowing that he's fine.  We'd all be lucky to have a love like that in a lifetime."

Those words speak so much and make you think about a loved one that you have lost.  The rest of the Acoustic CD/DVD package is comprised of tracks off of the self-titled album and their album Sirens and Condolences.  There are two cover songs on the album, the first is Megan by The Smoking Popes and the other is Baby Brittan by Elliot Smith.  Both very well done. Bayside have gradually gotten better and better since their debut release.  But in my opinion, this album will always be one of the best.  They have not disappointed yet, and this album is no exception to that.  If you have the chance to, check it out.  My recomended tracks are Megan, Winter, Devotion and Desire, Baby Brittan, and They Looked Like Strong Hands.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2009-03-02 blackxdan Said:

i meant what i said, this is their best album.
Not Rated