Seattle punks Success released their new album, Radio Recovery, a few weeks ago on Red Scare Industries and I have yet to see a review on any site (including our own) that didn’t praise it as one of the best releases this year.
Because everybody seems to love this album so much we thought it would be fun to get a little track by track commentary on the music and lyrics of each song from the band and publish it for your guys’ enjoyment. Check out singer Aaron Rev’s track by track break down below.
“Believe In”
Music-
I really wanted to write a by anthemic song to set the pace for the record. I wanted deuling guitar lines, a big singalong, and a big guitar solo. I think it really sets the pace for the album.
Lyrics-
“Believe In” is a song about me trying to remind myself that any sort of empowerment that I need will always come from within myself. No matter what we’re going through, being strong-minded and mindful about the current situation that you’re in is what will truly pull you through anything.
“22nd St”
Music-
This song has been around for a few years with us now. It has a solid bouncy energy that’s fun to play live.
Lyrics-
Our drummer David used to live right off of S 22nd St in Seattle and it’s not the best neighborhood. But when I was driving there one day I thought about all of the low income housing in the area. I decided to write a song about struggle, and how families have to find ways to be happy in rough situations.
“Revolution Schmevolution”
Music-
This is actually one of the first songs I ever wrote for Success. It’s fast paced mid-tempo, to the point, positive. Stereotypical Success.
Lyrics-
This has become somewhat of a “flagship” song for Success. It’s been a staple in our live set for years. I think that’s due to the fact that it’s written about something we can all relate to… needing to find the strength to make changes in our live for the better, and inspiring others around us to do the same.
“Mr Know It All”
Music-
Musically this is probably my favorite song of the album. This is the direction I’d like to see new Success records going. I feel like you get really hear the influence of bands like Cheap Trick, and Stiff Little Fingers in this song.
Lyrics-
This song is me having a conversation with myself about watching my steps in life, and making solid decisions. We could all use a good reminder of that from time to time.
“Nowhere Kids”
Music-
We’ve had this song around for a bit now. I’ve always loved it. But, it wasn’t till we acquired Sean (who now plays organ in the band) that this song really blossomed and took shape. The keys added a lot to this one for me.
Lyrics-
The majority of the members of Success grew up in a small town in Washington State called Enumclaw. It’s a farming town about an hour south of Seattle, towards Mt. Rainier. Growing up in a town like that will really shape your view of the outside world. It will seemingly narrow the opportunities the world offers. That’s why people get stuck. This song is about me and my friends, and how we got out.
“Lives That We Deserve”
Music-
This song is a little slower than we are used to, but thats exactly what the theme of this song was calling for. I think it really draws you in. It also has an epic breakdown leading to a solo that we’ve kind of stylized in Success over the years. It’s SUPER fun live.
Lyrics-
This song is a mixture of a few peoples different stories of struggle. One of which is my grandfather. He’s still to this day the hardest working, most positive person I’ve ever met. I wrote this song with him in mind, about how the real heroes in this world are all around us every day. The have their chin up, and they are pushing through their everyday struggle to have a life that suits them best.
“Head For The Hills”
Music-
“Hills” is just an awesome upbeat “barn burner” as we like to call it. It’s just pushing that tempo in your face the whole song. There’s a bunch of southern rock influence shining through in this one.
Lyrics-
I wrote this song about me and an old friend need to get out of the situation we we’re in. A lot of this song is me convincing her to take the plunge, and make that first step towards the door. So we got up, and got the hell out for a while.
“Flowers”
Music-
This is probably the “darkest” sounding song on the record. I think musically it’s a nice little break from the upbeat, major chord progressions. The first thing I wrote for this song was that fast paced “noodly” guitar line. Then it grew from there.
Lyrics-
“Flowers” is the closest I’ve ever come to writing a love song. I wrote this for someone I truly care about who was struggling with some really tough issues that kept effecting her life. We all need reminders that we loved and cared about, so I wrote Flowers to remind her I do.
“Impossible Truth”
Music-
This is a solid acoustic jam. Sweet and simple.
Lyrics-
Real simple concept for this one… Keep your chin up and push on. Life is rough, you gotta work to make it easier on yourself.
“Resignation”
Music-
This song was written with 80’s montage music in mind. Seriously. I wanted to write what I thought would be Success’s inspirational 80’s montage song. Totally nailed it. I also was looking for an excuse to put a “clean” guitar solo in a song.
Lyrics-
Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration. This is my attempt to keep myself and those around me motivated. I also really wanted to quote Bob Dylan in a song.