SONG: "The Rope"
ARTIST: Smile Empty Soul
ALBUM: "Swan Song" EP
YEAR: 2025
PLACE OF ORIGIN: Santa Clarita, California
YEARS ACTIVE: 1998 - Present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
The Smile Empty Soul song "The Rope" is about being on the run, specifically from what frontman Sean Danielsen describes as an "authoritarian wave" that is diminishing freedoms, symbolizing the tightening of a "rope" around people's necks.
SMILE EMPTY SOUL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
2003 - Smile Empty Soul (Lava Records)
* Peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200
* Certified Gold
2006 - Vultures (Bieler Bros. Records)
* Peaked at #169 on the Billboard 200
2009 - Consciousness (F.O.F. Label Group)
* Peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200
2010 - More Anxiety (F.O.F. Label Group)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2012 - 3's (eOne Music)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2013 - Chemicals (Pavement Music)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2017 - Rarities (MRAfia Records)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2018 - Oblivion (Smile Empty Music)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2020 - The Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1 & 2 (Smile Empty Music)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2021 - Black Pilled (Smile Empty Music)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
2023 - Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse (Smile Empty Music)
* Did not chart on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON SMILE EMPTY SOUL:
Smile Empty Soul formed as a band back in 1998, hailing from Santa Clarita, California. It would take the band 5 years of honing their sound before they would release their debut full length self-titled album in 2003. This album proved to be the pinnacle of the band's success thanks in part to the singles "Bottom Of A Bottle" , "Nowhere Kids" and "Silhouettes". This album would eventually be certified Gold. In 2005, the band was supposed to release "Anxiety", but problems with their record label halted that release. More on that later. In 2006, the band dropped "Vultures". This album featured the single "The Hit". Great song! 2009 saw the band release "Consciousness". In 2010, "Anxiety" was released as "More Anxiety" which featured the entire album as well as bonus tracks. 2012 and 2013 saw the releases of "3's" and "Chemicals" respectively. Around this time, frontman/guitarist Sean Danielsen began to release some solo material. A rarities collection was released by Smile Empty Soul in 2017 simply titled "Rarities". A proper studio album was released in 2018 called "Oblivion". 2021's "Black Pilled" is the last full length album released by Smile Empty Soul to date. The band released a compilation of most of their recent EP tracks in 2023 titled "Four Horsement Of The Apocalypse". The band's most recent release was an EP in 2025 called "Swan Song". Smile Empty Soul is kinda like a post-grunge/alternative metal type of band. It truly is Sean Danielsen's baby. He is the chief songwriter, writes all the lyrics and pretty much is the whole vision of the band. He is the only constant in a revolving door of band members. Smile Empty Soul is a very dark band. Themes of neglect, abuse, depression, addiction all weave through Smile Empty Soul's material. I got into these guys right from their debut album. The minute I saw the "Bottom Of A Bottle" video they had me! I love their style. Crunchy guitar riffs, most of the time just 3 chord bangers. Simplicity works. Just ask band's like The Ramones or AC/DC. I find Smile Empty Soul's music to be raw and emotional. Sean Danielsen just puts his soul out there in his music. Great band. Underappreciated band in my mind.
SIMILAR ARTISTS:
Trapt
The Exies
12 Stones
Trust Company
Seether
TEN SMILE EMPTY SOUL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Bottom Of A Bottle
2. Silhouettes
3. The Hit
4. We're Through
5. Savior
6. Don't Need You
7. False Alarm
8. Afterlife
9. Sunburn
10. Sides
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