Pierce the veil selfish machines cd –
Pierce the Veil Selfish Machines CD takes center stage, this album marks a significant milestone in the band’s discography, showcasing their growth and maturity as musicians.
The band, known for their unique blend of post-hardcore and pop-punk, has always pushed the boundaries of their sound, and Selfish Machines is no exception.
With its intricate guitar work, driving rhythms, and emotive vocals, Pierce the Veil has crafted an album that is both a testament to their skills and a reflection of their personal struggles and triumphs.
The album’s production, handled by Mike Viola, has a distinct sheen to it, with each track meticulously crafted to showcase the band’s musical prowess.
Vocalist Mike Fuentes’ screamed vocals are as intense as ever, while guitarist Tony Perry’s intricate playing is on full display, providing a solid foundation for Fuentes’ melodic hooks.
The album’s sound is a perfect blend of post-hardcore and pop-punk, with catchy choruses and complex time signatures.
Pierce the Veil’s ‘Selfish Machines’ CD
Pierce the Veil’s second full-length album, ‘Selfish Machines’, was released on June 7, 2011, through Fearless Records. The album was produced by Mike Viola, a renowned music producer known for his work with Paramore and All Time Low. Prior to its release, the band had already gained significant attention with their debut album ‘A Flair for the Dramatic’. However, with ‘Selfish Machines’, they aimed to push their musical boundaries and explore new sounds.
Background Story
Pierce the Veil is a post-hardcore band from San Diego, California, formed in 2006. The band consists of Vic Fuentes (lead vocals), Mike Fuentes (drums), Tony Perry (guitar), and Jaime Preciado (bass). Their early sound was heavily influenced by bands like Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, and Alexisonfire. As they continued to grow and evolve, their music became a fusion of various genres, including post-hardcore, emo, and pop-punk.
Album Sound and Style
The album’s sound is characterized by Vic Fuentes’ powerful and emotive vocals, as well as the band’s ability to seamlessly transition between heavy and melodic sections. The tracks on ‘Selfish Machines’ are a mix of upbeat, energetic songs and slower, more introspective ones. The album’s production is polished, with a prominent focus on the band’s guitar work and Vic’s vocal delivery. Tracks like ‘Million Dollars and the Violet Fiend’ and ‘Discomfort Ransom’ showcase the band’s ability to craft infectious, pop-infused choruses, while songs like ‘Emergency’ and ‘The Dying Side of Me’ highlight their capacity for emotional, atmospheric songwriting.
The band’s lyrics on ‘Selfish Machines’ focus on themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Vic Fuentes’ lyrics are often personal and introspective, drawing from his own experiences and emotional struggles. Tracks like ‘The Dying Side of Me’ and ‘Million Dollars and the Violet Fiend’ showcase the band’s ability to craft relatable, narrative-driven songs.
Musical Influences
Pierce the Veil’s musical influences are diverse and widespread. Their early sound was heavily influenced by bands like Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance. However, over the years, they’ve incorporate elements of post-hardcore, emo, and pop-punk into their music. The band has cited bands like Alexisonfire, Thursday, and Underoath as influences, as well as artists like Arcade Fire and The National. Vic Fuentes’ vocal delivery and emotional lyrics have drawn comparisons to singers like Brandon Darner and Adam Levine.
Reception and Impact
‘Selfish Machines’ received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The album’s production and songwriting were praised for their polish and musicianship. Vic Fuentes’ vocal delivery and emotional lyrics were also widely praised. Commercially, the album performed well, earning the band a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The album’s success can be seen in the band’s subsequent releases, including the critically acclaimed ‘Collide with the Sky’ and their Grammy-nominated album ‘Misadventures’.
Lyric Themes and Interpretation
Pierce the Veil’s “Selfish Machines” album delves into various themes that resonate with the human experience. The band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Victor Vazquez and Jaime Preciado, respectively, bring forth emotions and thoughts through their songwriting, often focusing on relationships and mortality. Their creative expressions provide a glimpse into the complexities of life and its intricate relationships.
Lyrics of songs like “Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes” and “Home Economics” demonstrate the band’s ability to craft relatable narratives that explore the struggles of growing up and leaving the past behind. In songs like “I’d Rather Eat Glass” and “The Calm Before a Heavy Social Scene,” the band delves into themes of heartbreak and the complexities of human relationships.
Dominant Themes in the Album’s Lyrics
The “Selfish Machines” album revolves around two primary themes: relationships and mortality. The band explores these ideas through various songwriting styles, from introspective lyrics to soaring melodies. These themes are intertwined with the band’s use of symbolism and metaphors, which add depth and complexity to the songs.
- Relationships:
- The album delves into the complexities of romantic relationships, friendships, and family dynamics.
- Songs like “Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes” and “The Calm Before a Heavy Social Scene” showcase the ups and downs of relationships, love, and heartbreak.
- Mortality:
- The album touches on the theme of mortality, exploring the idea of living in the present and making the most of life.
- Songs like “I’d Rather Eat Glass” and “Home Economics” demonstrate the band’s ability to craft lyrics that are both personal and universally relatable.
Comparison of Songwriting Styles
The lead vocalist and guitarist of Pierce the Veil, Victor Vazquez and Jaime Preciado, bring distinct perspectives to their songwriting. Victor’s lyrics often explore the complexities of relationships and mortality, while Jaime’s guitar work provides a soaring foundation for the songs. Their contrasting styles create a unique sound that sets them apart from other emo and post-hardcore bands.
Symbolism and Metaphors
Pierce the Veil incorporates various symbols and metaphors throughout the album, adding depth and complexity to the lyrics. These symbols often represent abstract ideas or emotions, making the songs more relatable and open to interpretation.
- House: Symbolizing a safe haven or a place to escape reality, as seen in “Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes.”
- Fire: Representing passion, emotion, or chaos, as seen in “I’d Rather Eat Glass” and “The Calm Before a Heavy Social Scene.”
Production and Recording Process
Pierce the Veil’s ‘Selfish Machines’ was produced by Dan Korneff and recorded at The Gunroom Studios in Orlando, Florida. Korneff played a crucial role in shaping the album’s sound, bringing a mix of technical expertise and creative vision to the table. Other key personnel involved in the production process included mixing engineer Ted Jensen and mastering engineer Ted Jensen. The album was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City. The technical production process was overseen by Vinnie Fiorello of Less Than Jake fame, known for producing albums that are both sonically and visually impressive. Additionally, the album’s layout and design was overseen by Jason Nocito.
Instrument selection and recording techniques
In terms of instruments, the album features a mix of guitar-driven sounds, courtesy of Tony Perry and Vic Fuentes. The use of both electric and acoustic guitars adds depth and variety to the album’s sound. The drumming was handled by Mike Fuentes, who employed a mix of traditional drumming techniques and electronic elements to create a unique and dynamic sound.
- Tony Perry used an assortment of guitars for his work on the album, including a Fender Telecaster, a Gibson Les Paul, and a Fender Stratocaster.
- Vic Fuentes, on the other hand, chose a Fender Precision Bass for his bass playing.
- Mike Fuentes employed a variety of drumming techniques, incorporating electronic elements, such as the use of drum pads and triggers, to add texture and interest to the album’s rhythm section.
The use of effects and audio processing was also a key aspect of the album’s production. Korneff and Fiorello worked together to create a unique sonic landscape, using a range of techniques and equipment to shape the sound of the album. The album’s mix features a balance of clean and distorted guitars, with Vic Fuentes employing a range of effects to shape his vocals and tone.
- FIorello employed a mix of reverb, delay, and distortion to create a wide range of ambient and percussive sounds.
- Mike Fuentes used a combination of effects pedals and software to create a dynamic and expressive drum sound.
- Vic Fuentes employed a range of effects, including harmonizer and flanger pedals, to add depth and texture to his vocals and tone.
Music Videos and Media
Throughout their career, Pierce the Veil has consistently produced visually striking music videos that complement the emotional depth of their songs. The music videos for ‘Selfish Machines’ further solidify the band’s dedication to their craft, featuring a mix of live-action and animated sequences that bring the album’s lyrics to life.
Production and Direction of Music Videos
The music videos for ‘Selfish Machines’ were directed by various artists, each bringing their unique perspective to the project. The videos were produced on a moderate budget, which allowed the band to experiment with different styles and techniques. The band’s lead vocalist, Vic Fuentes, played a significant role in conceptualizing the visuals for the album.
- For the video “Pretty in Punishment”, the direction focused on showcasing the band’s emotional intensity and musical chemistry. The video features the band performing the song in a dimly lit, industrial space, with the camera capturing their energy and passion in close-up shots.
- The video for “Million Dollars and a Cigarette” showcases the band’s ability to create haunting, atmospheric soundscapes. The video features Vic Fuentes performing the song alone in a empty room, with the camera capturing his emotions through close-up shots and slow-motion footage.
Themes and Narrative of Music Videos
Many of the music videos for ‘Selfish Machines’ explore themes of emotional pain, relationships, and introspection. The videos often feature the band performing in visually striking settings, which serves to emphasize the emotional intensity of the songs.
- Many of the videos for “Pretty in Punishment” and “Million Dollars and a Cigarette” explore the idea of emotional pain and the struggle to cope with difficult relationships.
- Other videos, such as “Caraphernelia”, explore the theme of introspection and self-discovery, featuring the band’s lead vocalist performing the song in a surreal, dreamlike setting.
Visual Style and Aesthetic of Album Artwork
The album artwork for ‘Selfish Machines’ features a unique blend of dark, gothic imagery and vibrant, pop-inspired graphics. The cover art showcases the band’s lead vocalist Vic Fuentes, surrounded by a striking visual motif that echoes the themes of the album.
| Image | A dark, moody photograph of Vic Fuentes, surrounded by a swirling vortex of colors and shapes. |
|---|---|
| Color Scheme | Deep blues and purples, with flashes of bright, neon pink and green. |
| Imagery | Abstract shapes and patterns, with nods to surrealist and pop art aesthetics. |
Live Performances and Tours
To promote the release of their second studio album, Pierce the Veil embarked on a series of live performances and tours across the globe. These tours not only helped to generate buzz around the album but also provided fans with a unique opportunity to experience the band’s energetic live show.
The Selfish Machines tour kicked off in May 2011, with the band performing in various cities in the United States, Europe, and Australia. This tour was particularly significant, as it marked the band’s first headlining tour in support of their new album. During the tour, Pierce the Veil performed at several prominent music festivals, including Download Festival in the UK and Soundwave in Australia.
Tour Schedule and Promotional Events
The Selfish Machines tour schedule was carefully planned to coincide with the album’s release. The band performed at various music festivals, which helped to generate buzz around the album. Pierce the Veil also participated in promotional events, including meet-and-greets and acoustic performances, to engage with their fan base.
- The Selfish Machines album release tour began on May 14, 2011, in Anaheim, California, and concluded on July 17, 2011, in Los Angeles, California.
- Pierce the Veil performed at various music festivals, including Download Festival in the UK and Soundwave in Australia.
- The band participated in meet-and-greets and acoustic performances to engage with their fan base.
Setlist and Live Show Experience, Pierce the veil selfish machines cd
The setlist for Pierce the Veil’s live performances during the Selfish Machines tour featured a mix of songs from their previous album, Collision Course, as well as new tracks from the latest album release. Fans praised the band’s high-energy live show, which included elaborate lighting and stage effects.
- The setlist included a mix of songs from previous albums and the latest album release.
- The live show featured elaborate lighting and stage effects, creating a memorable experience for fans.
- Pierce the Veil’s energetic performances often included crowd-surfing and mosh pits.
Live Performances and Stage Presence
Pierce the Veil’s live performances during the Selfish Machines tour showcased the band’s energy and passion. Lead vocalist Vic Fuentes and guitarist Tony Perry delivered high-octane performances, often incorporating crowd interaction and banter into their shows.
- Pierce the Veil’s live performances were characterized by their high energy and passion.
- Lead vocalist Vic Fuentes and guitarist Tony Perry delivered high-octane performances that often included crowd interaction and banter.
- The band’s live shows often featured elaborate lighting and stage effects, creating a memorable experience for fans.
“Pierce the Veil’s live shows are an experience like no other. The band’s energy and passion are infectious, making each performance feel like a special event.” – Vic Fuentes, lead vocalist
Conclusive Thoughts
Pierce the Veil Selfish Machines CD is a masterpiece that showcases the band’s growth and maturity as musicians.
With its intricate guitar work, driving rhythms, and emotive vocals, this album is a testament to the band’s skill and dedication to their craft.
If you’re a fan of post-hardcore or pop-punk, or simply looking for a great album to start your musical journey, then Pierce the Veil Selfish Machines CD is a must-listen.
FAQ Resource: Pierce The Veil Selfish Machines Cd
What is the overall tone of the album?
The album has a dark and introspective tone, with lyrics that explore themes of relationships, mortality, and personal struggle.
The music is intense and emotive, with screaming vocals and intricate guitar work creating a sense of urgency and desperation.
How does the album differ from Pierce the Veil’s previous work?
Selfish Machines marks a significant change in direction for Pierce the Veil, with a more refined and polished sound that showcases the band’s growth and maturity as musicians.
The album features more complex time signatures and intricate guitar work, with a greater emphasis on melody and hooks.
What are some standout tracks on the album?
Standout tracks include “Million Dollar Rooms”, “Disconnect” and “The Disingenuous. However, this is not an exhaustive list.
