Try This with Your Eyes Closed
Alesana · 2005
33 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock
A whirlwind of emotional intensity, blending melodic hooks with aggressive instrumentation and intricate lyrical storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Apology — Opening with haunting melodies, this track sets the tone for the album's emotional journey, showcasing Alesana's unique blend of melody and aggression.
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Red and Dying Evening — The song features intricate guitar work and poignant lyrics that reflect on themes of loss and regret, encapsulating the band's signature sound.
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Congratulations, I Hate You — With its dynamic shifts between soft verses and explosive choruses, this track exemplifies the band's ability to convey raw emotion through contrasting musical styles.
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Goodbye, Goodnight, for Good — Closing the album on a reflective note, this track combines vulnerability with powerful instrumentation, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of the band's artistry.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Alesana's debut showcases strong emotional dynamics but lacks some depth in songwriting and production polish.
What we noticed
- Several tracks utilize dual vocal lines, alternating between clean singing and harsh screams, which enhances the dynamic range throughout the EP.
- The final track features a gradual build-up that culminates in a powerful climax, leaving a lasting impression as it closes the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional intensity throughout
- mid-tempo flow for focus
- lyrical storytelling with depth
- short tracks for quick listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of fast-paced thrills
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2005, Try This with Your Eyes Closed was Alesana's debut studio album, marking their transition from a local band to a recognized name in the post-hardcore scene. The album came after the success of their EP, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax, which helped them gain a loyal following and set the stage for this full-length debut.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Devil Wears Prada· Pierce the Veil· Sleeping with Sirens
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Endings Without Stories
The moment shifts perspective by directly addressing an unresolved relationship, emphasizing feelings of abandonment.
This shift in narrative focus deepens the emotional weight of the song, contrasting with earlier more distant reflections.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Apology 4:09
- 2 Endings Without Stories 3:42
- 3 And They Call This Tragedy 4:28
- 4 Not a Single Word About This 3:30
- 5 Red and Dying Evening 2:57
- 6 Congratulations, I Hate You 3:56
- 7 Early Mourning 3:45
- 8 Goodbye, Goodnight, for Good 3:37
- 9 Beautiful in Blue 3:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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