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Tin Armor

A Better Place Than I Have Been
2007
One Percent Press

Tin Armor - A Better Place Than I Have Been (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Jesse
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Published on August 7th 2007

"Walking in the park / sleeping in the car / Walking in the park / sleeping in the car" -- sung a cappella before the instruments kick in, this is how the album begins. The music is basic vintage-sounding drum, bass and guitar power-pop / pop-punk with just enough action in the chord progressions to garner a comparison to Ted Leo + the Pharmacists. The vocals follow lofty melody lines akin to a certain former Smiths lead singer's, but sung with the timbre of the guy from the Smoking Popes. Okay, fuck the rest of the comparisons, but at least we're all on common footing here.

We've got 12 songs, and as far as I know this is the band's debut full-length. The songs all hover around the two-minute mark, full of melodies and mini-harmonies. All in all, it should be an unremarkable experience. After enough time, the drum breaks in "Tall Shoes" start to run together with the bouncing bassline in "My Fatal Organ." But this must be the fifth or sixth time listening to this album, and I find little things in every song that I seem to like. The band carries the album through with a solid energy and change-up pace that strikes me almost as much as Dookie did when I was 10. I'm magnetically drawn to it, trying to find flaws but can only come to one conclusion: I've grown accustomed to its face.

Either that, or it's just completely unobjectionable music. That's not to say that I'm paying attention to the lyrics. Apart from the opener, we get other lyrics like "Don't you say it is inevitable because you've got a heart / I've got one too / Though I tried not to break yours / I did, I always do." Lines like these are a dime a dozen in breakup anthems, but for some reason when paired with music that has such a sunny disposition, I don't seem to mind.

Key cuts include "My True Step," which showcases the band's ability to write a solid uptempo pop song and "Red Fangs," which displays a slight tempo change and a slightly less saccharine tone. However, in order to counterbalance the unwavering praise, at the end of the album I don't really feel like clamoring my way to the start button in order to kick it off again. The mental bliss was only temporary, but I won't object to it if submitted again.



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    Posted by ifyoumakeit on 2007-09-24 00:53:38

    Tin Armor video for "My True Step" at Stay True Paltz.

    http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/video/music/tin-armor

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM (EDT)

    hey, those are some totally solid, well put together and thought out lyrics. better than i could ever write. but come on, tin armor isn't out to change the fucking world, and "out to change the world" kinds of bands seem to get the highest scores or something. i think thats kinda lame. lemme say again that i love these dudes and the drummer is too nice of a guy.
    -from the second person you quoted

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 11:28 AM (EDT)

    But, say a prayer for the brackish beasts of old, we've given time enough to before. We're civilized but there's no proof, we found a ceiling but there's no roof.

    "That's not to say that I'm paying attention to the lyrics."
    - Oh yea, what's there to pay attention to?

    I know that callous lakes divide and division preys on minds not made of stone, But don't forget, please reminisce While steady drops are dripping on your head, Clearing moss while making brand new crevices.

    "nothing to really analyze or over analyze. "
    - you're right, totally plain jane.

    Seriously, I can't believe that you two are talking about the same record I've been listening to.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 9:15 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Not sure what the hype is regarding this band, have seen them twice. Just don't get it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 2:09 PM (EDT)

    " i saw em at 141 moreland in atlanta and have listened to it more often then not ever since."
    score is for 141 moreland!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 9:48 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    good time music

    Posted by AsYouWere on 2007-08-07 20:28:17

    3 matts = awesome

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 8:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "i like this band, but how do you give so many stars to a record where your review keeps saying that the record is okay at best?"

    the stars represent his enjoyment of the band even though this might not be the most inventive, technically impressive music. score is for jesse humanizing himself.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 6:06 PM (EDT)

    it could have gotten more stars, to the first commenter. i think this score is appropriate, which was surprising to see from this reviewer. one of the reasons i love this record is because its not intimidating. its simply good music. nothing to really analyze or over analyze. just some catchy shit. its no perfect 10, but thats why i love it. i saw em at 141 moreland in atlanta and have listened to it more often then not ever since.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 1:43 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I can't say enough good things about this band. I listen to the first song over and over and over.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 11:38 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    solid record. great for summertime even in ohio!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 4:17 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This band is amazing. Even in my city, where nobody moves at shows, nobody can resist but to dance like maniacs when Tin Armor comes to town.

    Posted by ihateallofyou on 2007-08-07 01:49:33

    i like this band, but how do you give so many stars to a record where your review keeps saying that the record is okay at best?

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