Short Songs

Untitled

Short Songs is the sixth studio album by the Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein. Unlike the band's previous fifth studio albums, the album has an untraditional number of 22 songs, though as the album title suggests, all songs are short and under 90 seconds. Only 11 of the songs are original songs, while the other 11 are covers of songs by notable punk and hardcore bands that influenced Silverstein, such as Green Day, Dead Kennedys, Gorilla Biscuits and NOFX. It is the band's second release on Hopeless Records and like their last album, was also produced by Jordan Valeriote.

Background information

Silverstein entered the studio in October 2011 with producer Jordan Valeriote, who produced their last studio album Rescue as well as the Transitions EP, to record a new album which was described by the band as a "mini-album" and "an extension of Rescue." The band intended to record the album sooner-than-later as the material came together very quickly and the band wanted to release it fast, instead of making the fans wait for their next proper album. The album was scheduled for a January 2012 release. In a promotional video describing the project, Silverstein drummer Paul Koehler said, "Most people might associate a 'short song', with a fast punk rock vibe, but that's not always the case. There will still be a ballad, a breakdown, and some singalongs, all amidst these quick songs. The idea is to give the listeners a mini-Silverstein album, and take them through all of the peaks and valleys they could expect from any of our original albums." The cover to the Dead Kennedys' "Short Songs" was recorded with additional guest vocals from many singers of notable punk and hardcore bands, including Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, Chris #2 of Anti-Flag, Chris Hannah of Propagandhi, Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada and many more. Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats also recorded guest vocals on the song "xOn the Kneesx".

In December 2011, the band streamed for free three songs off the album: "SOS", "Brookfield", and Gorilla Biscuits' "Good Intentions", as well as their cover of NOFX' "It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite" through PunkNews, and two other songs: "Sin & Redemption", and Green Day's "The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink", through Alternative Press.

Track listing

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sick as Your Secrets"
2.	"Sin & Redemption"
3.	"SOS"
4.	"Brookfield"
5.	"La Marseillaise"
6.	"World on Fire"
7.	"Sleep Around"
8.	"My Miserable Life"
9.	"Truth & Temptation"
10.	"One Last Dance"
11.	"See Ya Bill"

Side B

No.	Title	Length
12.	"Short Songs" (originally by Dead Kennedys)
13.	"236 E. Broadway" (originally by Gob)
14.	"Good Intentions" (originally by Gorilla Biscuits)
15.	"Destination: Blood!" (originally by Orchid)
16.	"Coffee Mug" (originally by Descendents)
17.	"xOn Our Kneesx" (originally by The Swarm)
18.	"Scenes from Parisian Life" (originally by The Promise Ring)
19.	"It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite" (originally by NOFX)
20.	"Quit Your Job" (originally by Chixdiggit)
21.	"The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink" (originally by Green Day)
22.	"You Gotta Stay Positive" (originally by Good Clean Fun)

Personnel

Silverstein

• Neil Boshart – lead guitar
• Josh Bradford – rhythm guitar
• Billy Hamilton – bass, backing vocals
• Paul Koehler – drums, percussion
• Shane Told – lead vocals

Guest musicians

• Chris #2 (Anti-Flag) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Liam Cormier (Cancer Bats) – vocals on "xOn Our Kneesx"
• Nick Diener (The Swellers) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Chris Hannah (Propagandhi) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Mike Hranica (The Devil Wears Prada) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Paul Rousseau (Burst & Bloom) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Jimmy Stadt (Polar Bear Club) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Daniel Tremblay (I am Committing a Sin) – vocals on "Short Songs"
• Scott Wade (Comeback Kid) – vocals on "Short Songs"

Production

• Jordan Valeriote – production