Short Songs is the sixth studio album by Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein. The release has an untraditional number of songs at 22, though as its title suggests, all songs are short and mostly under 90 seconds. Only 11 of the songs are original, while the other 11 are covers of songs by notable punk, hardcore, and screamo bands that influenced Silverstein, such as Green Day, Orchid, Dead Kennedys, Gorilla Biscuits and NOFX. It is the band's second release on Hopeless Records and like their last release, it was also produced by Jordan Valeriote. It is also the band's last release with long-time guitarist Neil Boshart, who left the band in the summer of 2012.
Background information
Silverstein entered the studio in October 2011 with producer Jordan Valeriote, who produced their last studio album Rescue as well as their Transitions EP, to record a new release which was described by the band as a "mini-album" and "an extension of Rescue". The material came together very quickly and the band wanted to release it fast, scheduling January 2012 release, instead of making their fans wait for their next proper album. 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 of 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 and many more. Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats also recorded guest vocals on the song "xOn Our Kneesx."
Release and promotion
On October 24, 2011, the band uploaded a video for the song "See Ya Bill" at their official YouTube channel. In December 2011, the band streamed for free three songs off the album: "SOS," "Brookfield," and "Sin & Redemption," as well as three cover songs: Gorilla Biscuits' "Good Intentions," Green Day's "The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink," and NOFX's "It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite," A music video for "Brookfield" premiered on January 23, 2012. The video was directed by Josh Bradford. On February 5, 2012, two days prior to the release of the album Silverstein uploaded the entire album onto their MySpace profile. Prior to the album's release while on tour with August Burns Red 200 Vinyl copies were made available. It came with a silk screened dust cover that was hand numbered.
Tracks 1–11 written by Silverstein. Lyrics by Shane Told, except "La Marseillaise" translated from "La Marseillaise" by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle and "See Ya Bill" by Josh Bradford. ;Set 1:
