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Chin Up Chin Up

We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were
Skyscrapers (2004)
Flameshovel Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Meg
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 8th 2005

With the ongoing absence of Braid, the indie rock scene continues to suffer. Very few bands nowadays even attempt to mirror the sound that Braid so boldly portrayed. But allow me to point out the keywords in the previous sentence: very few. This is where Chin Up Chin Up eloquently enter the picture.

We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers is a flat-out, feel good album riddled with two vocalists and haunting keyboards. The album’s mellow feel and guitar tones perfectly represent the message Chin Up Chin Up is trying to convey: hope, “persevering through tragedy,” and “the redemption of optimism.” None of the aforementioned subjects have ever been too far from Chin Up Chin Up, as midway through the writing for We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers, the band’s bassist, Chris Saathoff, was killed in a hit-and run-accident.

Chin Up Chin Up took the tragedy and used it to fuel the passion for this release, and it shows. The positive message should be visible to even the most unenlightened listener. The album’s first track, “Why Is My Sleeping Bag A Ghetto Muppet,” presents itself as the album’s most standout track, with its layered vocals and catchy chorus. Imagine if Azure Ray’s breathy vocals came from a man; this man would be Nathan Snydacker and this album, We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers, would carry the same, willowy effect in that of Hold On Love.

They’ve played with Broken Social Scene, the Appleseed Cast, and Pedro The Lion. They’ll remind you of the Cure, the Rapture, Braid, and maybe even a little Mineral. But what they’ll definitely do is satisfy even the most critical of indie rocker’s ears.

MP3s
We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers
Virginia, Don't Drown

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Anonymous (August 6, 2005)

what's up 35 year old cock suckers? not to much over here just enjoying reading your comments. this is why punk news is a bunch of anal loving, cock sucking, titty licking douche bags LoLz IM So0o0o MATURE!!!11one. You guys have nothing constructive to say ... ever. Cut the girl a break, 50 bucks says you would never say this to her face (a recent study shows that e-bully's do exist, and for the most part they are fags that have no friends) Congratulations!

-Pat Marquez
443 858 6055
pat.marquez@ABSOLUTEPUNK.net
www.myspace.com/patmarquez

Stalk me fuckers! I'll be in Chicago soon.

Anonymous (July 14, 2005)

"The starting line and saetia rules."

thats gotta be a joke.. i dont even know why im posting this because im so sure thats a joke... thats gotta be like an oxy moron or something... u may have just cancelled musics whole existence or something.. thast was weird

Anonymous (July 11, 2005)

i really like c.u.c.u. and am hopefully seeing them on friday. can't wait for that rerelease!

stevejonestherealbones (July 11, 2005)

"They sound like Braid would if Braid still existed and were utterly crap."

hmmm...i dont understand..this sentence is a little redundant...

why do you need the "and were utterly crap." thats implied by saying they sound like braid

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Anonymous (July 11, 2005)

I listened to four MP3s of this band. Then I fell asleep. They sound like Braid would if Braid still existed and were utterly crap.

Crookedsuperhero (July 11, 2005)

Girls aren't punk.....

Anonymous (July 9, 2005)

the score is for ME.

how about that fuckos

Anonymous (July 9, 2005)

The starting line and saetia rules.

Anonymous (July 9, 2005)

Score is for Sally. Yeah, what a duder supreme.

Marlon (July 9, 2005)

Except she isn't underage... Way to try to be witty and smart and fail Scott.

maverick (July 9, 2005)

Way to be, like, two weeks ago, Jones.

This score's for Sally Field being underage.

-Scott

stevejonestherealbones (July 8, 2005)

wait what? is sally field the same person as susan suranden from that abspun.net link?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Marlon (July 8, 2005)

Gotta love the ole' rumor mill. It's where all the gossip about all the cutest PN couples comes through!

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

Is she really Brian's "hottie"? If so, when/where is the wedding? Give me them details, yo!

theundergroundscene (July 8, 2005)

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

well THAT explains why he got all defensive!

whoopsie poopsie

Jesse (July 8, 2005)

Brain?

Jesus.

Oh, and no disrespect to you, "Sally," for referring to you as a hottie. Please, take it as a sleazy copliment, I ask you.

Jesse (July 8, 2005)

Damn Brain, you snagged a hottie.

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

omg you work at hot topic too

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

>http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?userid=41124

look at that list of all those cool indie scene cred bands.

"there's a great big world beyond the scene..."

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

sally is so fukking scene!

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

22.96 posts on average per day............HOLY CRAP! You are wonder woman!!!!

Sally_Field (July 8, 2005)

>lol sally fields is such a scenester myspace bimbo
>how have your mirror shots been lately?

best post, ever! it's so true! hahahahahahahahahaha

LOL totally I know I'M sooOOoo GaY!1111!11111

No but seriously. Bimbo. Come on. I'm closer to a butch dyke than a bimbo.

Is this worthy of an LOL, undergroundscene?

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

scary, this girl is born in 1987.
i think i was rocking "Slippery When Wet" at that time.

or am i just that old?

inagreendase (July 8, 2005)

What's on her page that qualifies her so highly?

Wait, wait, let me guess -- the D-Generation X wallpaper, right?

Seriously, what are you referring to?