When Broken Is Easily Fixed cover

When Broken Is Easily Fixed

Silverstein · 2003

80 min · 19 tracks · post-hardcore

A raw blend of angst-driven melodies and intense, confessional lyrics that encapsulate the emo and post-hardcore spirit of the early 2000s.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Smashed Into Pieces Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Red Light Pledge — This track captures the essence of emotional struggle through its dynamic shifts between soft verses and explosive choruses, making it a standout representation of the album's themes.
  • →
    Giving Up — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics about despair and resignation, this song epitomizes the album's exploration of vulnerability and heartbreak.
  • →
    When Broken Is Easily Fixed — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching theme of grappling with pain and finding strength in brokenness, featuring some of the most evocative lyrics on the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends melodic elements with hardcore intensity, capturing early 2000s emo vibes effectively.

What we noticed

  • The first five tracks maintain a high energy level with aggressive guitar riffs and intense drumming, establishing a strong opening.
  • Several tracks feature alternating vocal styles between melodic singing and harsh screaming, creating dynamic contrasts.
  • The album's lyrics are confessional and personal, often reflecting themes of heartbreak and struggle, which is prominent in the verses.
  • The final track features a gradual fade-out, leaving an unresolved feeling that complements the album's emotional weight.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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

  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • introspective late-night reflections
  • raw, cathartic experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This debut album established Silverstein's presence in the post-hardcore scene.
Themes
emotional struggle· broken relationships· early 2000s angst
Career context
When Broken Is Easily Fixed is Silverstein's debut album, marking their introduction to the post-hardcore scene in 2003. This release set the foundation for their career, showcasing their ability to blend melodic elements with hardcore intensity and emotional vulnerability.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Smashed Into Pieces Start here 3:42
  • 2 Red Light Pledge 3:48
  • 3 Giving Up 4:12
  • 4 November 4:15
  • 5 Last Days of Summer 4:28
  • 6 Bleeds No More 3:16
  • 7 Hear Me Out 3:48
  • 8 The Weak and the Wounded 3:15
  • 9 Wish I Could Forget You 3:26
  • 10 When Broken Is Easily Fixed 4:18
  • 11 Friends in Fall River 3:18
  • 12 Forever and a Day 4:27

Disc 2

  • 1 Giving Up (live, unreleased) 4:20
  • 2 Giving Up (video) 4:20
  • 3 Smashed Into Pieces (live) 3:34
  • 4 Smashed Into Pieces (video) 3:43
  • 5 Band Interview 10:19
  • 6 Interview with Shane 3:07
  • 7 Equipment Run Through 4:54

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata