Southern Weather

In October 2005, Gillespie was in New York City and had the urge to do some straight-forward rock songs. After telling his manager, he was put in a studio where he started working on material. That evening, he received the songs from the studio and posted two demos ("I Mostly Copy Other People" and "Never Say "I Told You So"") on his Myspace profile. Gillespie was recording with Underoath (for Define the Great Line) at the time and, as their drummer and co-vocalist, was in a several week period between tracking drums and doing the vocals. To keep himself productive during this lull, he wrote a bunch of songs{{Cite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/The_Almost_The_Southern_Weather_hit_created_by_Underoaths_drummer/27961/p1/ |title=The Almost: The 'Southern Weather' hit created by Underoath's drummer |last=Cummings, Tony |date=July 10, 2007 |website=Cross Rhythms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916023327/http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/The_Almost_The_Southern_Weather_hit_created_by_Underoaths_drummer/27961/p1/ |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |access-date=January 2, 2020}} that differed from the band's sound and fit a more alternative rock vein.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/2007/04/11/underoath-drummer-unveils-new-solo-project-the-almost/ |title=Underoath Drummer Unveils New Solo Project: The Almost |last=Chart Attack |date=April 11, 2007 |website=Chart Attack |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302161453/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2007/04/11/underoath-drummer-unveils-new-solo-project-the-almost/ |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |access-date=January 2, 2020}}

Southern Weather was produced by Aaron Sprinkle; Gillespie was initially going to work with someone different until an A&R representative at Tooth & Nail Records suggested Sprinkle. Gillespie didn't know Sprinkle beforehand, but admired his work with Pedro the Lion. Recording sessions were held at Compound Recording in Seattle, Washington with Zach Hodges acting as the additional engineer. Gillespie tracked the drums on a kit made by former Pearl Jam drum tech Aaron Mlasko. Gillespie used a number of snares to achieve as many different tones as he could. For "Dirty and Left Out", the drums were recorded into one microphone with a tambourine taped to the bass drum.{{Cite web |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2007/09/aaron-gillespie/ |title=Aaron Gillespie of Underoath |last=Losey, Steven Douglas |date=September 2007 |website=Modern Drummer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411094616/https://www.moderndrummer.com/2007/09/aaron-gillespie/ |archive-date=April 11, 2018 |access-date=January 2, 2020}}

"Dirty and Left Out" also features an additional vocal from Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk, who grew up with Sprinkle. Though Gillespie had considered the album finished by this point, Sprinkle recorded Enigk's part while Gillespie was busy touring with Underoath. J.R. McNeely mixed almost every track (except for "Say This Sooner") with assistant Lars Katz at Compound Recording. "Say This Sooner" was mixed by David Bendeth with engineer Dan Korneff at the House of Loud in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. John Bender handled additional vocal recording at the same studio. The recordings were then mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City.

Musically, the album has been described as alternative rock, emo, pop rock, coming across as less aggressive in both the music and vocals than Underoath's screamo stylings. Though Gillespie received writing credit for all of the songs, Underoath guitarist Tim McTague helped him write one of the tracks. Gillespie performed nearly all the instrumentation on the record. Sprinkle contributed additional guitar and keyboards; Kevin Suggs adds pedal steel guitar. Discussing "Say This Sooner", Gillespie said: "I've had struggles along the way [growing up in the Deep South]. But I am very much informed by Southern values and I think the songs speak to that." Alternative country-influenced "Dirty and Left Out" was written after Gillespie and Sprinkle listened to Ocean Beach (1995) by Red House Painters. The track, along with "Amazing Because It Is", serves as a declaration of his Christian faith.

"Amazing Because It Is" sees Gillespie emulating the vocal style of Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba, and features horns (performed by John Painter) and cello (performed by Matt Slocum), which were arranged by Slocum. Gillespie went to a church, which invited their youth groups{{Cite web |url=http://www.purevolume.com/thealmostt |title=The Almost |publisher=The Almost. Myspace |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218004550/http://www.purevolume.com/thealmost |archive-date=February 18, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2020}} at Calvary Fellowship (based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington) to add a choir singing "Amazing Grace" as the chorus. "Everyone Here Smells Like a Rat" has a mixed Thursday-meets-Oasis vibe to it, and features guest vocals and bass additions from the Starting Line frontman Kenny Vasoli. Vasoli also contributes bass to the album's title-track "Southern Weather". "Never Say "I Told You So"", which has guest vocals from Sprinkle, and "Call Back When I'm Honest" are musically reminiscent to songs on Taking Back Sunday's Louder Now (2006). Closing track "Everything That Makes Me Sick" begins with carnival-esque sounds before the guitars start.

On November 28, 2006, "Southern Weather" was made available for streaming via the band's Myspace profile.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1541 |title=The Almost (Aaron from Underoath) post new song, first shows |date=November 28, 2006 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822202026/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1541 |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/21105/the-almost-underoath-debut-new-track|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416174858/https://www.punknews.org/article/21105/the-almost-underoath-debut-new-track|title=The Almost (Underoath) debut new track|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=November 30, 2006|archivedate=April 16, 2021|access-date=February 7, 2022}} In January 2007, the band went on their first tour, a US headlining tour with support from Forgive Durden and Classic Case.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1548 |title=The Almost (Aaron from Underoath) touring w/Forgive Durden |date=November 30, 2006 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822200844/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1548 |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}} The group's touring line-up consisted of Gillespie, guitarists Jay Vilardi and Dusty Redman, bassist Alex Aponte and drummer Kenny Bozich. Vilardi was friends with Underoath's drum tech and lived in Gillespie's area; Vilardi recruited the other members, except for Bozich, who was discovered by Gillespie's wife at a church. On January 31, Southern Weather was announced for release in April, and its track listing was revealed.{{Cite web |url=http://melodic.net/news/the-almost-to-release-southern-weather-april-3rd |title=The Almost To Release "southern Weather" April 3rd |last=Roth, Kaj |date=January 31, 2007 |website=Melodic |access-date=January 2, 2020}} "Say This Sooner" was posted online on February 7, before being released as a radio single on February 13.{{Cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/mail/archive/eweekly/alternative/2007-2-6.html |title=AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly |date=February 6, 2007 |website=AllAccess |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821234347/http://www.allaccess.com/mail/archive/eweekly/alternative/2007-2-6.html |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/22112/first-new-song-from-the-almost-underoath-sunny-day-real-estate|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210110108/https://www.punknews.org/article/22112/first-new-song-from-the-almost-underoath-sunny-day-real-estate|title=First new song from The Almost (Underoath, Sunny Day Real Estate)|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=February 7, 2007|archivedate=February 10, 2022|access-date=February 10, 2022}}

On February 28, "I Mostly Copy Other People" was made available for streaming.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1822 |title=The Almost (Aaron from Underoath) post new song |date=February 28, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822232345/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1822 |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}} A music video was released for "Say This Sooner" in March;{{Cite web |url=http://melodic.net/news/check-out-the-new-video-with-underoath-drummer-aaron-gillespie-the-almost |title=Check Out The New Video With Underoath Drummer, Aaron Gillespie, The Almost |last=Wippsson, Johan |date=March 26, 2007 |website=Melodic |access-date=January 2, 2020}} it features Gillespie traveling through time, and received heavy rotation on MTV. The clip was directed by Shane Drake and filmed in Southern California. Southern Weather was made available for streaming on March 25, before being released as a joint venture between Tooth & Nail and major label Virgin Records on April 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/22920/media-the-almost-to-stream-debut-album|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213213536/https://www.punknews.org/article/22920/media-the-almost-to-stream-debut-album|title=The Almost to stream debut album|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Moran, Chris|date=March 25, 2007|archive-date=February 13, 2022|access-date=February 14, 2022}} Following this, the band supported Saves the Day and Say Anything on a small number of dates.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1735 |title=Saves The Day/Say Anything co-headlining tour revealed |date=February 1, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822220652/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1735 |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}} In April and May, the band supported Paramore on their tour of the US,{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1825 |title=Paramore announce spring dates |date=March 1, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822232549/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1825 |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}} and appeared at The Bamboozle and Cornerstone Festivals.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/21496/underoath-emery-to-play-cornerstone-2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207193557/https://www.punknews.org/article/21496/underoath-emery-to-play-cornerstone-2007|title=Underoath, Emery to play Cornerstone 2007|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Reinecker, Meg|date=December 28, 2006|archivedate=February 7, 2022|access-date=February 7, 2022}} From late July to mid July then late July to late August, the band went on the Warped Tour.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1997 |title=Throwdown added to Warped 07; Madina Lake drop off |date=April 26, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828104249/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1997 |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=August 21, 2016}}

Following the tour's conclusion, the group went on a headlining tour in August and September, with support from Meg & Dia and former Beloved frontman Josh Moore.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2346 |title=The Almost announce post-Warped Tour headlining run |date=July 20, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828231533/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2346 |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=August 25, 2016}} A music video was released for "Southern Weather" on September 26{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2775 |title=The Almost post "Southern Weather" video |date=September 26, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320143752/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2775 |archive-date=March 20, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2017}} and the song was released to radio on October 2.{{Cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/mail/archive/eweekly/alternative/2007-9-25.html |title=AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly |date=September 25, 2007 |website=AllAccess |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822020736/http://www.allaccess.com/mail/archive/eweekly/alternative/2007-9-25.html |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016}} In November, the group supported the Starting Line and Paramore on their co-headlining US tour.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2696 |title=Paramore/Starting Line co-headlining dates (finally) revealed |date=September 12, 2007 |website=Alternative Pres |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319204331/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2696 |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |access-date=March 19, 2017}} The band performed alongside the Starting Line for a few shows in December.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_2877 |title=The Starting Line confirm December dates with the Almost |date=October 22, 2007 |website=Alternative Press |access-date=July 8, 2017}} In May and June 2008, the band went on a US tour alongside Emery, Envy on the Coast and Army of Me.{{Cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_3773 |title=The Almost plan June tour with Emery, Envy On The Coast |date=April 17, 2008 |website=Alternative Press |access-date=July 9, 2017}} "Dirty and Left Out" and "Amazing Because It Is" were reworked for the group's Christmas EP No Gift to Bring (2008).{{Cite web |url=http://melodic.net/news/the-almost-releases-ep-november-25th-christmas-songs-included |title=The Almost Releases Ep November 25th; Christmas Songs Included |last=Wippsson, Johan |date=October 24, 2008 |website=Melodic |access-date=January 2, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/almostaaron/ |title=Web Exclusive: A conversation with the Almost's Aaron Gillespie |last=Shultz, Brian |date=December 10, 2008 |website=Alternative Press |access-date=January 2, 2020}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1Score = 72%{{Cite web |url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=222284 |title=Almost, The - Southern Weather - Album Review |last=Beringer, Drew |date=March 20, 2007 |website=AbsolutePunk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221193728/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=222284 |archive-date=February 21, 2013 |access-date=February 19, 2014}}

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1027514}}

| rev3 = Chart Attack

| rev3Score = Unfavorable{{Cite web |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/2007/04/17/the-almost/ |title=The Almost — Southern Weather |last=Chart Attack |date=April 17, 2007 |website=Chart Attack |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302163500/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2007/04/17/the-almost/ |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |access-date=January 2, 2020}}

| rev4 = Cross Rhythms

| rev4Score = {{Rating|9|10}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/The_Almost/Southern_Weather/23330/ |title=Review: Southern Weather - The Almost |last=Fitzgerald |first=Trevor |publisher=Cross Rhythms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016124639/http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/The_Almost/Southern_Weather/23330/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=February 19, 2014}}

| rev5 = Jesus Freak Hideout

| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SouthernWeather.asp |title=The Almost, "Southern Weather" Review |last=Pearson |first=Trey |date=April 3, 2007 |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214024614/http://jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SouthernWeather.asp |archive-date=February 14, 2014 |access-date=February 19, 2014}}

| rev6 = LAS Magazine

| rev6Score = 4/10 {{Cite web |url=http://lostatsea.net/review.phtml?id=5905655646260cd472d25 |title=LAS Magazine review |last=Hernandez |first=Pabs |date=April 25, 2007 |website=LAS Magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213001255/http://lostatsea.net/review.phtml?id=5905655646260cd472d25 |archive-date=February 13, 2017 |access-date=February 12, 2017}}

| rev7 = Melodic

| rev7Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=5560 |title=The Almost - Southern Weather |last=Spinelli, Tom |date=September 24, 2007 |website=Melodic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010095746/http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=5560 |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2017}}

| rev8 = Spin

| rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JLfyLhoR-H4C&pg=PA84 |title=Reviews: New CDs |last=Kelly, Trevor |date=May 2007 |website=Spin |access-date=January 2, 2020}}

| rev9 = Yahoo! Music

| rev9Score = Favorable{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/43542214|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525114946/http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/43542214|title=Southern Weather|work=Yahoo! Music|author=O'Connor, Rob|date=May 9, 2007|archivedate=May 25, 2007|accessdate=January 27, 2020}}

}}

Southern Weather debuted at No. 39 on the US Billboard 200, selling about 29,000 copies in its first week.Katie Hasty, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052919/now-24-trumps-duff-mcbride-timbaland-at-no-1 "'NOW 24' Trumps McBride, Duff, Timbaland At No. 1"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211151144/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052919/now-24-trumps-duff-mcbride-timbaland-at-no-1 |date=December 11, 2007 }}, Billboard.com, April 11, 2007. As of June 2007, the album has sold 72,000 copies in the US.{{Cite web |url=http://melodic.net/news/the-almosts-gillespie-playing-2-sets-at-warped-tour-new-e-card |title=The Almost |last=Wippsson, Johan |date=June 19, 2007 |website=Melodic |access-date=January 2, 2020}} "Say This Sooner" has also been released to mainstream radio and has reached as high as No. 7 on Modern Rock Tracks.

All songs written by Aaron Gillespie.

{{track listing

| headline = Standard edition

| title1 = Say This Sooner

| length1 = 3:14

| title2 = Drive There Now

| length2 = 3:11

| title3 = Dirty and Left Out

| length3 = 3:42

| title4 = I Mostly Copy Other People

| length4 = 3:22

| title5 = Southern Weather

| length5 = 3:28

| title6 = Stop It

| length6 = 3:36

| title7 = Amazing Because It Is

| length7 = 4:24

| title8 = Everyone Here Smells Like a Rat

| length8 = 3:18

| title9 = Never Say "I Told You So"

| length9 = 2:59

| title10 = Call Back When I'm Honest

| length10 = 3:24

| title11 = Everything That Makes Me Sick

| length11 = 3:31

|total_length = 38:07

}}

{{track listing

| headline = iTunes bonus tracks

| title12 = Hold On

| length12 = 3:54

| title13 = Say This Sooner

| note13 = acoustic

| length13 = 3:03

}}

Personnel per booklet.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Southern Weather |others=The Almost |year=2007 |type=booklet |publisher=Tooth & Nail Records |id=TND524812}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

The Almost

• Aaron Gillespie – lead vocals, all instruments except where noted

Additional musicians

• Aaron Sprinkle – additional guitar, keyboards, guest vocals (track 9)
• Kevin Suggs – pedal steel guitar
• Matt Slocum – horns and string arrangement and cello (track 7)
• John Painter – horns (track 7)
• The Youth Group at Calvary Fellowship – choir (track 7)
• Kenny Vasoli – guest vocals (track 4), bass guitar (tracks 4 and 5)
• Jeremy Enigk – guest vocals (track 3)

{{col-2}}

Production

• Aaron Sprinkle – producer, recording
• Zach Hodges – additional engineering
• J.R. McNeely – mixing (except track 1)
• David Bendeth – mixing (track 1)
• Dan Korneff – mixing engineer
• John Bender – additional vocal recording
• Lars Katz – mixing assistant
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Parker Young – photography
• Siesta – design

{{col-end}}

{{reflist}}

{{The Almost}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2007 debut albums

Category:The Almost albums

Category:Virgin Records albums

Category:Tooth & Nail Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Aaron Sprinkle