Proper Dose by The Story So Far: Growth and Maturity in its Finest Form
This review was written out of love and appreciation. I am not a music aficionado, just a long-time fan of The Story So Far. Their band members include: Parker Cannon, vocals, Kelen Capener, bass, Kevin Geyer and William Levy, guitars, and Ryan Torf, drums
Pop punk has been (and continues to be) supplemental to the emotional coping mechanisms of the youth. From blink-182 to Green Day, these lyrics of rebellion help ease the anger that comes with the rampant hormonal shifts of adolescence. As with any genre, it gradually changes, and we find ourselves with new bands at the forefront, helping to propel the music ever forward. The Story So Far, or TSSF, is this band to me: they began with Newfound Glory influences in 2007 (also taking their name from a Newfound Glory song) with their EP, 5 songs, and evolved toward their formative Under Soil and Dirt record with its release in 2011. More recently, they released Proper Dose in September 2018, and Parker Cannon, the lead vocalist of TSSF, draws from his own experience to help shape the overall tone and progression of the album. This review was written out of love and appreciation. I am not a music aficionado, just a long-time fan of The Story So Far. Their band members include: Parker Cannon, vocals, Kelen Capener, bass, Kevin Geyer and William Levy, guitars, and Ryan Torf, drums
Pop punk has been (and continues to be) supplemental to the emotional coping mechanisms of the youth. From blink-182 to Green Day, these lyrics of rebellion help ease the anger that comes with the rampant hormonal shifts of adolescence. As with any genre, it gradually changes, and we find ourselves with new bands at the forefront, helping to propel the music ever forward. The Story So Far, or TSSF, is this band to me: they began with Newfound Glory influences in 2007 (also taking their name from a Newfound Glory song) with their EP, 5 songs, and evolved toward their formative Under Soil and Dirt record with its release in 2011. More recently, they released Proper Dose in September 2018, and Parker Cannon, the lead vocalist of TSSF, draws from his own experience to help shape the overall tone and progression of the album. While it is “softer” than the rest of their discography, the lyrics and musicality are much more thoughtful and emotional. Proper Dose is a paragon of growth and maturity for the band, while still retaining their signature “sound.”
A significant change in a band’s “sound” is a fear shared by all fans, which is why new releases are often met with a hint of hesitation. Luckily enough, the first track, Proper Dose, which is also the name of the record, dispels this fear immediately. It is an instant attention-grabber, and it infuses pop and punk elements expertly. Its catchy guitar riffs and lyrics are infectious; it feels as though you’re in the front row, swaying with the pit at one of their concerts. Proper Dose does an excellent job setting the backdrop for the entire album, succinctly introducing and preparing the listener for Cannon’s honesty regarding his struggles with substance abuse.
Keep This Up is more descriptive with this struggle, and it maintains the upbeat tempo established by Proper Dose. It elaborates his reasoning behind its consumption, his longing for thrill and the loneliness caused by the distance from his friends and family-infused with the music (which was also confessed by Cannon himself in an interview with UK publication, Kerrang! prior to the album’s release.) The progressions are quicker, and the breakdown is stylish, and it ends on a note of desperation and sadness, if you keep this up, you’ll die here all alone / yet you fill your cup / nodding off, nodding off now.
This note of desperation is continued in Out of It; but, there are differences between the version included on the album and its single release back in 2017. There are those who argue that the included version is too overproduced, which lessens the quality and emotional impact of the song. However, lyrically, the song is still strong, adding more imagery to Cannon’s downfall with the instruments creating a fuller picture of the narrative.
The tone of the album slows down as if to signal the start of an epiphany. Take Me As You Please, Let it Go, and Upside Down are better when listened together and in this order. All are slower, acoustic songs, which fans have craved since Clairvoyant. What begins as apathy and defeat in Take Me As You Please transitions into an intervention and argument between the narrator and a separate individual (notice the change in perspectives within the first verse); and finally, Cannon begins to question what he needs in Upside Down, posing, I don’t want this as a job / help me find something more, and is this really what you want? This reflection of the burnout felt from non-stop touring helps Cannon unpack the catalyst for his substance abuse and start seeking help.
The adage, when you’re down, there is nowhere left to go, is easily applied to the next act of this album, and this rise is also portrayed in the shift of tone and tempo. Where it was briefly slower and acoustic, it now becomes fast-paced, reflective, and redemptive.
After realization comes panic; thus, comes the start of the turn in tone of this album, which is illustrated in If I Fall. Cannon admits, I know you’re upset / I’ll stop it, I’ll quit, and while he is disappointed in let[ing] down some of [his] closest people, he begins to take responsibility for his actions and asks simply, will you be there if I fall? TSSF’s drummer, Ryan Torf, is quick and steady with his drumming; it likens to an anxious heartbeat, especially in the chorus with its rapid succession. The guitar solos by William Levy and Kevin Geyer are almost elegant, perfecting what began in the self-titled album back in 2015; however, instead of harsh distortions, these effervescent notes are magical and light. This song is strong in its relatability; when hasn’t someone felt as though they’ve let their partner, their friends, or family members down? Defeat and rising above it is such a universal event, and this commonality makes this such a powerful song.
Need to Know picks up where If I Fall left off, expressing fears and raw vulnerability from Cannon’s withdrawal, but also his perseverance towards getting better.
Line is a transitional track and can be interpreted as a relapse song, with the repeated confession, feel your hand inside of mine / fill it all the way up to the line / wait, no I don’t, never mind. The song sounds almost ethereal, or trance-like, and it conveys a concentrated longing for company and reassurance with the simple wish for physical contact.
Growing On You provides listeners another perspective, an account of a loved one witnessing Cannon’s journey towards recovery. It is the calm before the storm; Line eases the listener into this more even, soothing pace leading up to Growing On You. While there are hints of bitterness, Are you leaving me now, for the high that you chase? / And will it be worth it when that's all that you taste?, the speaker of this song ultimately commits to remaining with Cannon, or rather, waiting on [him], confessing, I'm growing on you.
And both a climax and resolution, Light Year concludes the album with mixed emotions: regret, release, and ultimately, hope. It sounds like this song marked the beginning of this album or at least the first sparks of Cannon sharing his story, I finally came down / ready to let it all out. Though he should be proud of his accomplishments, he is confused (how did I get here? / feels like a lightyear), and there is residual fear (I should have no fear / yet my hands are slick.) Some may say that it wasn’t as resounding an album ending as Framework or Closure, but it marks their growth. In his interview with Kerrang!, Cannon mentioned wanting to step away from the hardcore sound and develop something much closer to his current emotional state. Light Year is evidence of his development, and its execution is superb.
The direction of The Story So Far is the reason for its continually expanding fan base. They never greatly deviate from a concrete pop-punk sound, yet they establish themselves apart from the rest with careful, precise lyrics and musicality with standouts like Keep This Up, Upside Down, and If I Fall. I’ve loved TSSF since I was in high school, and I haven’t missed a local show since 2015. The dedication and effort each member puts into the track is reflected so profoundly every time I hit ‘play.’ It was as though I grew alongside them. In my adolescence, I was angry and wallowed in my loneliness, akin to the tone of Under Soil and Dirt. This anger peaked with What You Don’t See, and transformed into sadness and confusion with the self-titled album. While I haven’t undergone the same struggles as Cannon, I appreciate his thoughtful reflection now that I’m in my mid-twenties, when I would have much preferred a more “explosive” expression of my emotions in my youth. Knowing the events leading up to Proper Dose, I commend TSSF for sticking together despite these tumultuous times, and Proper Dose is evidence of their commitment and love for each other and their listeners. If albums accurately reflect the growth and mindset of their bands, there is much excitement for the future of TSSF.
5/5
Keana Aguila Labra (she/her) is an INFJ, bisexual Virgo who resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. She examines literature & media through a cultural and feminist lens with poetry, prose, articles, and CNF essays. Knowing the importance of representation, her work is evidence that Filipinx Americans are present in the literary world. Her book reviews may be found on Medium: @keanalabra.