Scars and Souvenirs - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

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Originally from Vancouver B.C. and signed by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback to his 604 Records label (where the band is still signed in Canada), Theory is following up a very successful sophomore album cycle (GASOLINE) that included the huge radio hits "Santa Monica," "No Surprise" and "Hello Lonely." Theory are road dogs and expect to be on the road for 2 years straight to support their new album SCARS & SOUVENIRS. The balanced 13-track effort is the polished and passionate testament to seven years of hard work, heavy touring and diligent attention to its craft. From the swirling grinds of the first single "So Happy" to the soaring melodicism of "Not Meant to Be" and "By The Way," Scars & Souvenirs is a broad-reaching endeavor that puts singer/guitarist Tyler Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner and bassist Dean Back high in the rock pantheon, achieving creative growth without sacrificing the hard-hitting power that got them here in the first place.

"It's the Scars & Souvenirs of your life," Connolly explains. "The songwriting on the record is really about someone's past or and present, their relationships and how they shape everything. It's more metaphorical than physical scars and trophies.We're just a hard-working band, man. We want to be out there for a couple of years and play these songs to everybody we possibly can." Tyler also contributed guitar and appeared in the video for Chad Kroeger's #1 smash hit "Hero," the theme song to the massive Spider-Man movie.

Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

So let's jump on the Nickelback reference April 10, 2008
12 out of 15 found this review helpful

Though I didn't like this album quite as much as the first two, it is still a good album. Yes, there are similarities in sound and vocals between Nickelback and TOAD, but one of the greatest distinctions, in my opinion, is whereas Nickelback tends to only have 2, maybe 3 good songs per CD with the rest just filler, virtually every song on a TOAD CD is decent, and there is never a bad song. Personally, I like TOAD better. They rise above Nickelback in just about every aspect except fame. I hope they eventually earn the fame they deserve.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Album April 2, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

I get sick and tired of people always comparing this band to Nickelback. The only reason people say this is because they were produced by Nickelback. I didn't know they were produced by them until after I listened to their first and second cd, and not at one point did I think of Nickelback. Sure, their not the most original band in the world, but it is a fact that their songs are 100 times better than Nickelback and they get 100 times less credit than Nickelback.

Once again, Theory of a Deadman didn't fail to impress me, excellent songs on every cd, excellent live band, excellent new album.

4 out of 5 stars

Not Nickelbak? April 4, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Okay, so a new TOAD CD is out, and all the Nickelback references are already being stirred up. Let's get this straight, they were discovered by Nickelback, and Tyler has a very similar voice to Chad, but since when does that mean that just cause someone has a voice similar to someone else you gotta say all they make is generic crap? Well in the end it shouldn't but sadly it does. My word of advice, is if you liked any of TOAD's first stuff check this out, and sadly it's true if you like any of Nickelback's stuff you'll like this.

Though as a CD in general, if you like a hard rock ballad type CD you'll enjoy this.

1 out of 5 stars

On second thought, it only deserves one star. June 9, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful

It saddens me to write this review for a band in Theory of a Deadman that has produced some of my all-time favorite music. "Scars and Souvenirs" represents one of the wisest purchase decisions I have made in quite sometime in that I did not actually purchase it for myself; it was, rather, a gift for someone else, and therefore I had the chance to listen to it and decide if I wanted a copy for myself before actually buying my own copy.

The answer to that would be a definite "no." It pains me to write this, but there really were not three songs on this album that I liked. Two songs, that's it. "So Happy," while being far from original, is a decent tune, even with the blatant ripoff (or homage, depending on your perspective) of Alice in Chains on that introductory vocal harmony. The next song, "By the Way" is also a solid track and possibly the best cut on the record. It is something of a ballad, but its somewhat darker tone definitely reminded me of some of the material from the band's self-titled record - a good thing in my book.

After that, I got nothing. Musically, the only other point on the entire record that stands out to me is the first twenty seconds or so of "Bad Girlfriend" - or basically until the lyrics begin. Now, Theory of a Deadman have never really been Shakespeare when it's come to lyrical matter, but for the past two records, the lyrics were usually at least decent and if not the most original, then at least they seemed sincere. The lyrics on this record, for the most part, come across as absolutely banal and insipid. "Bad Girlfriend," especially, comes across as a cheap imitation of Buckcherry's "Crazy Bitch," a song that I can't understand why anyone would want to imitate in the first place.

This record is chock full of ballads, and unlike previous TOAD ballads such as "In the Middle" or the amazing "The Last Song," none of them are the least bit memorable. Instead, they all seem like desperate attempts at securing some moderately successful singles which will shortly thereafter fade into total obscurity. Also, I'm not sure who handled the production for this album, but there was a lot of what can only be described as "excessive crap" thrown into the songs. There are several songs with some sort of electronic beats or even an organ at one point which, while being potentially great ways to add some spice to the sound if executed properly, nonetheless add absolutely nothing to the song and come across as nothing more than superfluous garbage.

One other song which could have been nice to hear was "Hate My Life." While certainly not the least bit original, it is a nice playful little tune that would have been an interesting change of pace on an album like "Gasoline." After suffering through the previous six songs on this album, though, it just comes across as annoying.

If you are a newcomer to Theory of a Deadman, having just heard "So Happy" on the radio, I'd recommend downloading a single copy of "So Happy" and then checking out "Gasoline" before buying this. Not only is it simply a better album in my opinion, but the songs you'll find on that album are actually much more similar to "So Happy" than those found on "Scars and Souvenirs." For older fans of the band, definitely take a listen before you buy it. It is a way, way different sound that will no doubt be appealing to some, but for those like me, it will simply leave you asking, "Why...?"

5 out of 5 stars

Wow....I definitley did not see this coming....Best album of 08' April 1, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I was able to get my hands on a copy of this album 3 weeks ago. For some reason my local record store got one copy early and i was lucky enough to purchase it (and for only 6$). Being a fan of their last album i was looking forward to purchasing it and was expecting another good solid album. But once i started listening i was immediately proved wrong. The album seemed too good to be true and i was just waiting for there to be a flaw on the album, like most albums have, but there were none. I've constantly been listening to it over the weeks and i am yet to get close to becoming sick of it. This album is incredible from top to bottom and i would never have expected this. There is a nice balance of softer rockers and hard rockers, and they've managed to change up their sound a little bit while remaining true to their style, and are consistent all the way through. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this album,not only because it is by far their best effort to date, but also it is one of the best album i have heard in years, and might be the best album i own (and i own several hundred albums). Every song is terrific so its hard to choose a favorite, but i really love "By The Way" and "All Or Nothing". If you've never heard of them give them a chance because this is a must have for any modern rock fan, but is not only limited to those who just like rock. If this album does not make this band huge in the states then i don't know what else will. Think of Theory as Nickelback...but 5 times better (and i love nickelback).

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