Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 9.0
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8.0
Tracklisting
2) In My Waking Life
3) Freakish
4) You Vandal
5) Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off to Heaven
6) My Sweet Fracture
7) Jodie
How many years has it been since you've heard Saves The Day play "Jodie"?
The easy answer is "far too long."
Saves The Day's "Bug Sessions Vol. 1" is a collection of classic Saves The Day tunes, redone acoustically for the fans. It was released as a tour-only EP on the current tour with Circa Survive and Moneen, so be sure to pick it up at one of these shows (for 10$), because there are already copies circulating on EBay for $30+.
The arrangements of the songs do not stray from their source material, except for a few instances in "You Vandal" and "Jodie" in which the tempo is slowed down to better suit the acoustic environment, featuring Chris' twelve-string guitar. Also, Dave's solo on "Certain Tragedy" is a bit more bluesy and definitely feels right at home with the unplugged sound.
The two tracks the shine the brightest have to be "In My Waking Life" and "Jodie." The guitar in the former is truly beautiful and stands out much better than it did when it was swimming in quiet distortion on "In Reverie." The latter is great because, well, it's "Jodie." It hasn't been played by Saves The Day in more than five years live, letalone on any sort of recording. It truly is a treat hearing the classic tune with a more modern Chris Conley voice and attitude.
"Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off To Heaven" is easily the most well known Saves The Day B-side, and it gets a simple acoustic makeover on this EP. Nothing special added or removed, but it still holds up on its own because it is one of Saves The Day's best tunes. The post-chorus guitar is incredibly clean and plays without fault.
Though all of the tracks are great, I'd have to say that this EP is for the hardcore fans only, and rightfully so, as it is only offered at the live shows on this tour alone. I wouldn't suggest it as someone's first listen to Saves The Day, but in the grand scheme of STD records, it may end up being a bit forgettable.
Conversely, another promising facet of the "Bug Sessions Vol. 1" happen to be in the title itself: "Volume 1." Perhaps Chris, Dave, Manny and Pete will continue this idea and eventually cover every Saves The Day song on the next "Bug Sessions" album. As long as things don't degenerate into "NOW! That's what I call Saves The Day!"
Aw, who am I kidding. I'd love that.