After five years of writing, recording, trashing dozens of ideas (we have a special folder called the “jank hole” for that specific purpose), and a few direction shifts, it’s finally done. Our new album is, as they say, in the can.

When I listen to the completed songs, it’s impossible for me to just sit back and enjoy them as a finished album. I wish that I could. By now, I’ve heard the songs literally hundreds of times, and for every part of the finished song I hear, I remember at least a few ideas that either didn’t work in that same place, or how the song was stitched together piece by piece. I’m sure that a lot of musicians and artists feel this way. I really wish that I could listen to the new album with no expectations – just like you can (well, on Oct 29 anyway).

Being so close to the album, I have absolutely no idea what you, and most people, will think of it. Totally impossible…

All I know is that we poured our damn hearts out on this thing. The music, lyrics, and actual recording represent the best that we can do at this point in time. The subject matter (which I’ll probably babble on about in a future blog) is honest and speaks to me as a “thirty something” as much as our 2001 demo spoke to me as a early twenties kid trying to find his way. The band feels, as we always have, that as long as we make honest music, it matters less if we miss a chord or two, or aren’t the most popular band in the world (or even San Jose)…If you get something out of this, then we have done our job.

Even if it’s using our new album as a drink coaster.

(Hear the first track “Problems and Solutions” here.)

- Zack Rivals