I think Neon is still my favorite Shades Apart record overall, but it's September, and this is one of my all-time favorite Shades Apart songs, so... "September Burns" it is.
Shades Apart really should've been more popular in the mid- to late-'90s. While they did get a major label shot and do alright, I suppose, the opportunity probably surfaced a smidge too late. It should've happened around the time of Save It—their cover of "Tainted Love" still kicks ass, and just think how many bands kinda blew up on the backs of (much lesser) cover songs alone?
Shades Apart was on a hell of a tear from '93 to '97, though. Whatever you want to call their high-energy pop-punk meets alternative emo rocking post-hardcore this-or-that, it's fuckin' great, and they were a damn amazing band of songwriters.
Although, I must confess: I've still never listened to Sonic Boom. That cover art... I just can't forgive it. I'm stubborn that way. Maybe in another five to 10 years I'll finally be ready? Ha...
