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Digger

The Promise Of An Uncertain Future
1998
Hopeless

Digger - The Promise Of An Uncertain Future (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Samby
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Hopeless Records (Logo)

Published on December 10th 2004

It saddened me when I discovered on their webpage that Digger was breaking up. I was also kinda surprised to see that Keystone was the only CD reviewed on this website. Even though it's not their best work, I figure I should write a bit about Promise of an Uncertain Future, since it makes a nice starting place and is still a solid album.

The main quibble I have with PoaUF is its inconsistency. Songs such as "Picture Perfect" and "Past Mistakes" show superb pop songwriting skills, posessing hooks and melodies that stay in the listener's head long after the first listen. "Space Cadet," "Blocked Up," and "Quitters Never Win" have a depth to them that's sorely lacking in most pop-punk and a simplicity and upbeat style usually absent in emo.

However, some of the songs just seem thrown in without much of the thought and care given to the aforementioned tracks. Certainly a goofy sense of humor was one of the staples of early Digger, but the lack of seriousness and attention to detail in some of the songwriting doesn't serve this album. Although it's their second full-length, it really feels like a debut effort, especially in tracks 3 to 6. The lack of consistency in songwriting makes it seem like Digger's still trying to find their style and weakens the album as a whole.

Sure, their style was never anything earthshattering or groundbreaking, but Digger played a combination of pop-punk and emo that managed to combine the best traits of both genres. Their songs, especially on PoaUF, always seemed more genuine, honest, and heartfelt. This album just falls a little short of greatness.






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    Posted by thatswack on 2005-01-07 16:00:48
    My Score:

    I agree with the review. They seem like a compassionate, honest band. No over-production, or glossy image to be seen.

    Posted by housewrecker on 2004-12-17 15:34:21
    My Score:

    Bro I wish I was 19

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 6:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    said the 19 year old

    Posted by housewrecker on 2004-12-15 14:00:31
    My Score:

    Yes we all know I want my hat back is a great song, but come on, they have written tons of great songs. And all you youngsters that are stoked about the hat song need to go and buy Got Beat Up and Real Life Story of Teenage Rebellion by Chris's old band Weston.

    Posted by DestroyPopRadio on 2004-12-14 16:53:48
    My Score:

    My old band played with them in Santa Barbara one time. I thought they sucked, but the next time they came through the area, we were still playing to high school crowds of 100 or less and they were touring with Alkaline Trio. So, what do I know? Nice guys though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at 9:24 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    monte carlo was better than this but it still sounded like it was recorded for about 500 bucks over 2 days in the studio. the vocals were not so hot either. these guys alwasy sounded like that local band thats pretty good, but probalby doesnt desearve a record deal.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 13, 2004 at 6:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I I I. why is it so fucking emo to always talk about yourself? just review the music, dick.

    Posted by muskawo_ on 2004-12-13 00:03:45
    My Score:

    I agree with everyone who said they like "I want my hat back" Score is for them.

    Posted by JeffWithOneEff on 2004-12-12 01:18:55
    My Score:

    Monte Carlo was their best. soooo good

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 5:56 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    my friend loves this cd, i never got into them, but yea, they were a more honest and simple brand of pop punk. you cna' treally find that anymore, the pop punk scene shortly went to pasture after this.

    but the days when these guys and limp and old blink182....honest fun pop punk.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 3:41 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Powerbait is one of my all time favorite albums. This album is good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 2:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Their disc with the dice in the spine deserves points for the sheer awesomeness of the idea.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 4:15 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    score is for "I want my hat back"

    digger overall gets a 1.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 3:29 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    This album falls in to the category called "classci" in my book. I love this album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 2:11 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I fucking LOVE this album! Digger (and weston) did the emo-punk-duel vocals thing way before taking back sunday or brand new or any of those bands even exsited. They did it alot better too.......

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 10, 2004 at 11:44 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I want my hat back, 'cause I got a stupid haircut.

    I know it's not on this album, but, boy, does that song rule.

    Posted by swingline on 2004-12-10 22:14:04
    My Score:

    shelbyville

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