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Touché Amoré Announces ‘Is Survived By: Revived’

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Melody Bot, Sep 25, 2023.

  1. Melody Bot

    Your friendly little forum bot. Staff Member

    This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply.

    Touché Amoré have announced a remixed/remastered version of Is Survived By. The full press release can be found below.

    It's not hyperbole to state that Touché Amoré's third album Is Survived By is the band's most pivotal album. Released September 24th, 2013 via Deathwish Inc., Is Survived By tackles the complicated nature of leaving a lasting legacy and the uncertainty that surrounds that; ultimately resulting in a record about learning to find the validation and love within one’s self. Produced by the legendary Brad Wood (Sunny Day Real Estate, Liz Phair, mewithoutYou), the recording sessions were a lesson in growth for the Los Angeles quintet– vocalist Jeremy Bolm, guitarists Nick Steinhardt and Clayton Stevens, bassist Tyler Kirby, and drummer Elliot Babin– as the band transformed from a group of individuals who play hardcore songs to the established headlining act that Touché Amoré is today.
    
    For the past decade it's been bittersweet as the band has felt less than satisfied with the record's sound, a result of their overthinking and underpreparedness. 
    
    The album’s 10 year anniversary felt like the perfect time to tap Wood and Emily Lazar (the same team behind Stage Four) to remix and remaster Is Survived By. "I've always had a really hard time with the way this record sounds," explains Bolm. "I've unfortunately been oversharing and vocal about that for a number of years, but when we went to Brad to remix it, the main direction that I gave him was to make this sound more like Stage Four, and I think he killed it. He found that middle ground to where everything now compliments each other and there’s far more clarity overall."
    
    No longer does Is Survived By feel claustrophobic as if each layer of sound is fighting one another. Instead, Bolm's signature vocals flow in unison with Stevens and Steinhardt's creative, thoughtful guitar work, while the stellar rhythm section of Kirby and Babin provide a fervent punch to each song. Side A favorites like "Just Exist" and "DNA" hit with a new intensity, while the lusciousness within "Harbor" feels more defined. The Side B tracks may benefit the most; the Interpol influence shines throughout "Kerosene" and the slow burn build on "Non Fiction" is heard with more definition than ever before. There is a new found sense of brightness throughout the album's twelve tracks without losing any of the character from the original recordings. The lessons Bolm has learned over the years were also applied to the remaster. "I do feel a lot better about it," he says. “Everything kicks and everything pumps on this remix and remaster and I feel like 'Wow.' I almost feel like I'm hearing these songs for the first time again."
    
    It wouldn't be an official Touché Amoré project without elaborate and immersive packaging courtesy of guitarist Nick Steinhardt. The now iconic artwork of the band standing in the shadow of the Los Angeles skyline is vibrant as ever, with 5 expanded colorways featuring a different essay about the album from each band member + a new "wildfire" orange with liner notes containing references to that era. Essays from Balance and Composure's Jon Simmons, Drug Church and Self Defense Family's Patrick Kindlon, producer Brad Wood, and more. Touché Amoré always give the full 100% to the visual medium as it does to the music, and this 10th anniversary reissue is no different.
    
    Is Survived By is a cathartic record about wanting to be heard and understood and how you'll be remembered— a perfect snapshot of understanding your past and looking towards the future. It's why this record remains incredibly cherished by so many listeners, achieving that legacy it set out for a decade ago. “When I hear people say that this is their favorite record, it honestly makes me feel really, really good because it reminds me that my ears are different from the listeners," Bolm reveals. "That's  important to remember. So to have something that you have felt down about, be praised, I mean, you can't ask for anything better.”
    Pre-order Is Survived By ahead of its January 19, 2024 release date here and look for more news from Touché Amoré soon.
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  2. I wrote that bio!
     
  3. frankfromquebec

    She calls it a mayonegg

    I never had a problem with the sound on Is Survived By, which is my favorite album from them. Stoked for the remaster though !
     
    disambigujason likes this.
  4. ballroomtrance

    Regular

    I wish I had the ears to understand the breadth of difference in Bolm’s ears. It’s a very subtle difference for me. I notice a significant difference in the clarity of cymbals, but I’d love to hear a descriptive analysis. I want to read what that language sounds like to him, how he describes the distinct differences.
     
  5. Bartek T.

    D'oh! Prestigious

    Also had no problem with the sound initially, but at the same time I'm pretty sure I haven't revisited that record in a long time, so I'm still excited for it to be remixed, especially as Stage Four was a step up for sure