Save Me from Myself (album)
Encyclopedia
Save Me from Myself is the debut studio album
by American rock
musician Brian "Head" Welch
. After failing to meet a July 2007 release, the album was released on September 9, 2008 by Driven Music Group
. Tentatively, the album's working title was It's Time to See Religion Die, however, it was confirmed that its final title is Save Me from Myself.
which he helped form in 1993, saying moral reasons caused his departure. Welch stated he had distanced himself from the band for one or two years, "I just wanted to fade away, it was crazy. I was so gone." Welch wished to "rededicate [his] life to Christianity
". Shortly after, Welch asked Korn's bassist, Reginald Arvizu
, to produce the album, however, he received no response. While looking for a home in Arizona, Welch entered the recording studio. He immediately began writing; "entire songs would just come out: drums, bass, guitar, strings, choir, lyrics, everything... It was as if God was just downloading these songs inside me." After months of songwriting, "about three albums worth of material" had been created.
On the experience of working with other musicians again since his departure from Korn, Welch attests, "It's been a long time since I've connected with people musically and, now that the wounds have healed from my past addictions, I'm ready to feel the magic again."
, and would release Save Me from Myself on September 9, 2008.
A three-minute sample of Head's first single, "Flush", was posted on Welch's website on June 16, 2008. The single was released on July 8, 2008 on the iTunes Store
, and a music video
directed by Frankie Nasso of Nova Entertainment was filmed in Los Angeles
, and released on September 5, 2008. On August 26, 2008, Welch revealed the lengths of each song on the album.
, that ideas for lyrics and music often came from conversations with friends, including themes for "Re-Bel" and "Washed by Blood". The music has "a Christian, spiritual edge", while being an "extension of the Korn family". "I literally poured everything I had into Save Me from Myself," Welch explained in June 2008, "I know it's gonna inspire a lot of people."
The song "Flush
", Welch explains, was written musically first. Welch had accidentally locked himself in his studio, so he decided, "I'm gonna go back inside, grab my keyboard, and whatever my hands do, I'll make a song out of it." He had created the opening riff for "Flush". Lyrically, Welch cites, "the lyrics for 'Flush' are basically about flushing all the crap in life down the toilet and starting out fresh," Welch continued, "All the drama that I experienced with getting drunk and doing drugs all the time seemed interesting and amusing to write about."
Welch wrote "Re-Bel" after a friend told him about a child she knew with problems, due to poor treatment from his parents. The story reminded Welch of how he used to drink and not take care of his daughter when he should have. The lyrics of the song are about kids who run to God
due to negative things in their life so that "He could bring healing into their lives".
Welch said that the title track, "Save Me from Myself", is his most personal song. The verses talk about Welch's drug use, suicidal thoughts, depression, and lying. His favorite part "is when I'm screaming to God, thanking him for saving me from myself... and am living for Him now."
Welch said that "Die Religion Die" has multiple meanings to him. The song "encourages people to get out of the whole 'Sunday Christian' mentality" and helps them understand that God "dwells in us", not "in buildings". He wrote in his autobiography, "All of the man-made religion crap in this world has to die. Whether it's Christian man-made religion crap or some other man-made religion crap, it all has to die." Welch continues to explain, "All that prideful, controlling religious crap is what drives young people away from churches, and it has to go."
"Washed by Blood" was written after a conversation with another friend, who asked him "isn't it cool that we're washed by blood?" over breakfast one morning. Welch wrote that he was referring to the Bible
calling Jesus
' punishment and bleeding on the cross as being "washed by blood". After their meal, "suddenly, this music came into his head".
Referring to the art theme of the cover of the album, Welch explained, "It represents me being trapped in addictions, and getting set free from it from the angel that is standing behind me."
stated, "The content is so much more positive that anything released by Korn, that I can look past the absence of hooks to find a great deal of hope," also noting a lack of hooks
. Hit Parader
praised the musical aspect, stating, "though his lyrical messages may now be more positive and uplifting than anything found in the Korn hard rock catalogue, the style of music brought forth here is as heavy as anything Mr. Welch has ever presented before." The magazine went on to praise the album's lack of "preachy" messages, "throughout Save Me From Myself Head manages to present his inspirational messages without necessarily preaching his beliefs to the metal masses." About.com
writer Chad Bowar stated that, "although many of the songs are slow in tempo they don't lack in intensity." Chad Bowar went on to mention the variety of musical styles on the album, "There is a lot of musical diversity, and you'll hear everything from melodic mainstream rock to traditional metal to very dissonant and unsettling harmonies." It has been proposed that the album has a distinctive sound, very reminiscent to Korn
, but different in the matter that its uplifting.
The general praise of Save Me from Myself has not been unanimous, however. Reviewing for Metal Edge, Madeline Phillips felt that, "Sadly, in pursuit of greater spiritual understanding . . . Welch seems to have lost all sense of a relatable musical identity and direction," and that despite some noteworthy riff
s and decent melodies, the album is "not just alienating - quite frankly, it's boring."
Save Me from Myself shipped over 7,800 copies in its opening week. It debuted at number twenty-seven in New Zealand
, number sixty-three on the Billboard 200
, number seven on the Independent Albums
chart, and number three on the Christian Albums chart.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
musician Brian "Head" Welch
Brian Welch
Brian Phillip Welch , better known as Head, is an American musician best known as the former guitarist and co-founder of the nu metal band Korn...
. After failing to meet a July 2007 release, the album was released on September 9, 2008 by Driven Music Group
Driven Music Group
Driven Music Group is a record label founded by former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, Mark Nawara and Greg Shanaberger. The company has a distribution deal with Warner Music Group.-Current artists:CrossbreedFlotsam & JetsamGodheadEven The Dogs...
. Tentatively, the album's working title was It's Time to See Religion Die, however, it was confirmed that its final title is Save Me from Myself.
Background and production
In February 2005, Welch left KornKorn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
which he helped form in 1993, saying moral reasons caused his departure. Welch stated he had distanced himself from the band for one or two years, "I just wanted to fade away, it was crazy. I was so gone." Welch wished to "rededicate [his] life to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
". Shortly after, Welch asked Korn's bassist, Reginald Arvizu
Reginald Arvizu
Reginald Quincy "Fieldy" Arvizu is the bassist for the nu metal band Korn, and guitarist for the hard rock band StillWell.-Musical career:...
, to produce the album, however, he received no response. While looking for a home in Arizona, Welch entered the recording studio. He immediately began writing; "entire songs would just come out: drums, bass, guitar, strings, choir, lyrics, everything... It was as if God was just downloading these songs inside me." After months of songwriting, "about three albums worth of material" had been created.
On the experience of working with other musicians again since his departure from Korn, Welch attests, "It's been a long time since I've connected with people musically and, now that the wounds have healed from my past addictions, I'm ready to feel the magic again."
Promotion
On June 5, 2008, Welch posted a video announcement on his website. The video announced that Welch had officially signed with Driven Music GroupDriven Music Group
Driven Music Group is a record label founded by former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, Mark Nawara and Greg Shanaberger. The company has a distribution deal with Warner Music Group.-Current artists:CrossbreedFlotsam & JetsamGodheadEven The Dogs...
, and would release Save Me from Myself on September 9, 2008.
A three-minute sample of Head's first single, "Flush", was posted on Welch's website on June 16, 2008. The single was released on July 8, 2008 on the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, and a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed by Frankie Nasso of Nova Entertainment was filmed in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and released on September 5, 2008. On August 26, 2008, Welch revealed the lengths of each song on the album.
Musical and lyrical themes
Welch wrote in his autobiography, Save Me from MyselfSave Me From Myself
Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story is the autobiography of former Korn guitarist, Brian "Head" Welch...
, that ideas for lyrics and music often came from conversations with friends, including themes for "Re-Bel" and "Washed by Blood". The music has "a Christian, spiritual edge", while being an "extension of the Korn family". "I literally poured everything I had into Save Me from Myself," Welch explained in June 2008, "I know it's gonna inspire a lot of people."
The song "Flush
Flush (Brian Head Welch song)
"Flush" is a song by American rock musician Brian "Head" Welch that was released as the first single from his debut album, Save Me from Myself, on July 8, 2008 exclusively on the iTunes Music Store.-Production:...
", Welch explains, was written musically first. Welch had accidentally locked himself in his studio, so he decided, "I'm gonna go back inside, grab my keyboard, and whatever my hands do, I'll make a song out of it." He had created the opening riff for "Flush". Lyrically, Welch cites, "the lyrics for 'Flush' are basically about flushing all the crap in life down the toilet and starting out fresh," Welch continued, "All the drama that I experienced with getting drunk and doing drugs all the time seemed interesting and amusing to write about."
Welch wrote "Re-Bel" after a friend told him about a child she knew with problems, due to poor treatment from his parents. The story reminded Welch of how he used to drink and not take care of his daughter when he should have. The lyrics of the song are about kids who run to God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
due to negative things in their life so that "He could bring healing into their lives".
Welch said that the title track, "Save Me from Myself", is his most personal song. The verses talk about Welch's drug use, suicidal thoughts, depression, and lying. His favorite part "is when I'm screaming to God, thanking him for saving me from myself... and am living for Him now."
Welch said that "Die Religion Die" has multiple meanings to him. The song "encourages people to get out of the whole 'Sunday Christian' mentality" and helps them understand that God "dwells in us", not "in buildings". He wrote in his autobiography, "All of the man-made religion crap in this world has to die. Whether it's Christian man-made religion crap or some other man-made religion crap, it all has to die." Welch continues to explain, "All that prideful, controlling religious crap is what drives young people away from churches, and it has to go."
"Washed by Blood" was written after a conversation with another friend, who asked him "isn't it cool that we're washed by blood?" over breakfast one morning. Welch wrote that he was referring to the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
calling Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' punishment and bleeding on the cross as being "washed by blood". After their meal, "suddenly, this music came into his head".
Referring to the art theme of the cover of the album, Welch explained, "It represents me being trapped in addictions, and getting set free from it from the angel that is standing behind me."
Reception
Save Me from Myself has been generally well-received by critics. Some praised the album's message, "Even though the music of Save Me from Myself isn't quite on par with the super hit material of Korn from the late '90s, it is nevertheless a very good nü-metal album with an amazing story of redemption." Andrea Goforth of Christianity TodayChristianity Today
Christianity Today is an Evangelical Christian periodical based in Carol Stream, Illinois. It is the flagship publication of its parent company Christianity Today International, claiming circulation figures of 140,000 and readership of 290,000...
stated, "The content is so much more positive that anything released by Korn, that I can look past the absence of hooks to find a great deal of hope," also noting a lack of hooks
Hook (music)
A hook is a musical idea, often a short riff, passage, or phrase, that is used in popular music to make a song appealing and to "catch the ear of the listener". The term generally applies to popular music, especially rock music, hip hop, dance music, and pop. In these genres, the hook is often...
. Hit Parader
Hit Parader
Hit Parader is an American music magazine focusing on the genres of hard rock, pop, and heavy metal.The magazine was originally started as a pop song lyric magazine by Charlton Publications in 1942. Charlton sold off the magazine before the company went under in 1991...
praised the musical aspect, stating, "though his lyrical messages may now be more positive and uplifting than anything found in the Korn hard rock catalogue, the style of music brought forth here is as heavy as anything Mr. Welch has ever presented before." The magazine went on to praise the album's lack of "preachy" messages, "throughout Save Me From Myself Head manages to present his inspirational messages without necessarily preaching his beliefs to the metal masses." About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
writer Chad Bowar stated that, "although many of the songs are slow in tempo they don't lack in intensity." Chad Bowar went on to mention the variety of musical styles on the album, "There is a lot of musical diversity, and you'll hear everything from melodic mainstream rock to traditional metal to very dissonant and unsettling harmonies." It has been proposed that the album has a distinctive sound, very reminiscent to Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, but different in the matter that its uplifting.
The general praise of Save Me from Myself has not been unanimous, however. Reviewing for Metal Edge, Madeline Phillips felt that, "Sadly, in pursuit of greater spiritual understanding . . . Welch seems to have lost all sense of a relatable musical identity and direction," and that despite some noteworthy riff
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
s and decent melodies, the album is "not just alienating - quite frankly, it's boring."
Save Me from Myself shipped over 7,800 copies in its opening week. It debuted at number twenty-seven in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, number sixty-three on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, number seven on the Independent Albums
Independent Albums
The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels...
chart, and number three on the Christian Albums chart.
"Flush" controversy
The content of the music video has reportedly caused select retailers to pull Save Me from Myself from their shelves. This prompted Welch to provide his explanation for what transpires in the video:Track listing
Chart positions
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... ) |
27 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
63 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
3 |
| US Independent Albums Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... (Billboard) |
7 |
| US Rock Albums (Billboard) | 21 |
| US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) | 13 |
Personnel
- Brian WelchBrian WelchBrian Phillip Welch , better known as Head, is an American musician best known as the former guitarist and co-founder of the nu metal band Korn...
– vocals, lead and rhythm guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Archie J. Muise, Jr. – rhythm guitar
- Trevor DunnTrevor DunnTrevor Roy Dunn is an American composer, bass guitarist and double bassist.Dunn came to prominence in the 1990s with the experimental band Mr. Bungle. He has since worked in an array of musical styles, notably with singer and Mr...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Tony LevinTony LevinTony Levin is an American progressive rock musician, specializing in bass guitar, Chapman stick and upright bass ....
– bass - Josh FreeseJosh FreeseJosh Freese is an American session drummer and songwriter. He is a permanent member of A Perfect Circle, The Vandals, and Devo, having formerly played drums for Nine Inch Nails from late 2005 until late 2008, and for Guns N' Roses from mid-1998 to 2001. Freese has appeared on close to 300 records....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Jennea Welch – vocals
- Doug Angle – vocals
- Christian McCullen – vocals
- Elijah Jurewics – vocals
- Hailey Cooper – vocals
- Taylor Cooper – vocals
- Greg Shanaberger – production supervisor
- Mark Nawara – production supervisor
- Carlos Castro – engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Randy Emata – editing, synthesizers, programming
- Ralph Patlan – editing, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Bruno Canale – engineer, guitar technician
- Fernando Romay – engineer, guitar technician
- Rafael Patrón – production coordinator
- Patrick Essman – production assistant
- Clint Keener – production assistant
- Evren Goknar – masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
- Travis SmithTravis Smith (artist)Travis Smith is an American graphic artist best known for designing heavy metal album art. He has been called "renowned" by Alternative Press and "unquestionably one of the most talented graphic artists in metal today" by Chronicles of Chaos...
– artwork, layout - Alonso Murillo – photography, photo editing
- Bob ClearmountainBob ClearmountainBob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He...
– mixing
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America North America North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas... |
September 9, 2008 | Driven Music Group Driven Music Group Driven Music Group is a record label founded by former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, Mark Nawara and Greg Shanaberger. The company has a distribution deal with Warner Music Group.-Current artists:CrossbreedFlotsam & JetsamGodheadEven The Dogs... |
Compact disc Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... |
| 12" vinyl | |||
| Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
December 12, 2008 | Soulfood Music Distribution | Compact disc |