Band : Senses Fail
Album Title : Life Is Not A Waiting Room
Label : Vagrant Records / Hassle Records
Distribution : PIAS
Release date : December 2008
Review : CD

“Life Is Not A Waiting Room”is the third full-length album of the post-hardcore band Senses Fail. The band was formed in 2002 in Ridgewood, New Jersey and earned success (mainly in the USA) with the previous albums, “Let It Enfold You” (2004) and “Still Searching” (2006).
After all the touring for “Still Searching”, bass player Mike Glita left the band in December 2007 to pursue his side project Knights In Paris. He was (temporarily) replaced by Jason Black from Hot Water Music, who participated on the new album.
The quintet of Senses Fail deliver emorock with a high quality label. More aggressive than before, with a good balance of passion and fury. Next to for instance Taking Back Sunday, I reckon Senses Fail are one of the top bands in the genre of emocore.
“Life Is Not A Waiting Room” is an uplifting and positive record about change in life, even after singer Buddy Nielsen’s break-up with his long-time girlfriend and the death of a huge fan who suffered from cancer and with whom Buddy spent his last days.
“Life Is Not A Waiting Room” contains 14 songs and has a playing time of 50 minutes.
Highlights are the acoustic opening track "Fireworks At Dawn", which is immediately followed by “Lungs Like Gallows”, "Garden State", “Family Tradition”, “Hair Of The Dog”, "Four Years", “Yellow Angels” and “Blackout”.
The European edition of “Life Is Not A Waiting Room” contains two exclusive bonus tracks, being the title track “Life Is Not A Waiting Room” and “DB Cooper”.
Senses Fail will play at the Groezrock festival in Meerhout, Belgium on April 17th 2009.

80/100

Erik.