Title: Cradle To The Grave
Release Date: February 5, 2012
Recorded: Nov 2011 – Jan 2012 Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre: Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Pop Rock, Rock, Emo
Label: Nomad Records!
Producer(s) Giovanni Rose, Riot! In The Boulevard

Cradle To The Grave is the sophomore album by American rock band, Riot! In The Boulevard, set for release on 5, February 2012 though Nomad Records! Worldwide it is the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2011 self-titled debut album which went on to sell over three million copies worldwide and became one of the best selling albums of 2011.
The album was produced by Giovanni Rose and recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, California between November 2011 to January 2012. This album marks the official inclusion of Adam Benjamin as Rhythm Guitarist, he was a part of the band’s debut album but wasn’t included in an official capacity, but prior to the album’s recording he was officially announced as the fifth member of the band.

Album Background
Following on from their self-titled debut in 2011 and the subsequent tour in support of it, the band took a brief break before reconvening in November to begin working on the material for their sophomore album, They recorded the album between November to January. The band recorded the album at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, California, the same studio that they recorded their debut album, the album was produced by Giovanni Rose and each member of the band also had a major role in the production of the album. During the build-up to the album’s release, Amy often teased fans on what to expect, taking to her twitter account she posted, “A slightly darker second album? … Who knows? Maybe.” A couple of days later she posted a photo of some lyrics scribbled down on an old piece of paper which teased fans on the new material even further. The band then announced that Adam Benjamin was to become the official 5th member of the band and the build-up to their sophomore record only increased from then onwards.

Fans swamped the bands message boards after they confirmed the date for which they would begin recording the album and they kept things quiet for a little while which only helped build anticipation with many fans eager to know more details about the album. A few days before Christmas, a promo for the album was posted with the official release date for the album and it’s title, fans swamped the bands website once more as this news spread quickly and a blog update after the bands Christmas break was the final update from them regarding the album, until it’s release date at least.

According to lead singer and primary songwriter, Amy Meyer, “This album is our growth record, we could have rested on our laurels and created something just so-so that would easily please the mainstream audience but when I sat down and started planning the album, I decided that I wanted to remember the 16 year old me and I questioned what that version of me would write about and the album’s themes are therefore mostly confusion, anger, frustration and ultimately trying to understand what love is and why it causes so much pain.”

Tracklisting
1. Twilight Of My Youth (3:53)
2. Dearly Beloved (ft. Billie Beckett) (2:51)
3. Remember Me As A Place In Time (4:57)
4. You Use Me (Like A Puppet On A String) (3:07)
5. A Million Miles Can’t Break Us (3:17)
6. The Rules Of Love And The Games You Play (3:26)
7. The Cradle To The Grave (5:36)
8. Your Heart Is Where I Need To Be (3:28)
9. Lonely, Bitter, Fragile, Broken (Welcome To Your Life) (3:17)
10. My Echo, My Shadow, You And Me (4:57)
11. Making The Best Out Of What I Never Had (3:26)
12. My Revenge Is Your Death (5:14)
13.Trying, Crying, Smiling And Dying (7:38)
14. Trading Love And Faith In The Aftermath Of Heartbreak (5:37)

Personnel

Band
Amy Meyer – Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, Lyrics, Production
Justin Mullen – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lyrics, Production
Jason Greenberg – Bass Guitar, Lyrics, Production
Nathan Mullen – Drums, Percussion, Production
Adam Benjamin – Rhythm Guitar, Lyrics Production

Other
Giovanni Rose – Producer, Mixing
Keith Dugan – Mix Engineer
Selma Jenson – Mastering, Mixing
Maria Estevez – Art Design, Photography
Billie Beckett – Vocals on track #2
Tamara Franklin – Cello on track #14
Nevada County Choir – Backing Vocals on track #14

Title: Dearly Beloved (ft. Billie Beckett)
Genre: Alternative Rock, Rock
Length: 2:51
Recorded: Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California
Label: Nomad Records!
Written: December 2011
Writer(s): Amy Meyer

‘Dearly Beloved’ is a song by American teenage rock band, Riot! In The Boulevard. Written in December 2011 by Amy Meyer, it was written during the recording process of the band’s 2012 sophomore album ‘Cradle To The Grave’ and was one of the final songs recorded for the album, it’s also the only song on the album to feature another well-known artist, in the shape of Reported Failure vocalist, Billie Beckett. According to Amy, “Billie was the only option for the collaboration in my opinion, I think there’s a friendship between Riot! and Reported Failure, they’re a band we respect hugely and so I’m delighted that Billie agreed to work with us on the song.” At just under three minutes long it’s one of the shortest songs from the album.

Song Description
A loud guitar riff from Justin Mullen introduces the song and the drums and bass quickly come into the song, creating a powerful theme and atmosphere for the track, the three instruments play powerfully throughout, only softening slightly during the trade-off vocals between Amy Meyer and Billie Beckett, the chorus brings a rather loud energy, the instrumentals usually soften mid-way through the song but remain loud and powerful from the beginning to the very end of the song, the beat of the drums are furious and are matched with the repetitive bass line, the guitar riff by Justin Mullen provides a moment of glory as he’s given the freedom to play a solo near the end of the song, a rare chance for the guitarist as the band usually put emphasis on melody and emotion but he takes his chance pretty well on this song. Amy’s vocals are sung loudly and angrily while Billie’s vocals are sang with power and emphasis.

Songwriter’s Comments
“I wrote Dearly Beloved in December, we had around twelve songs confirmed for the record but we kept bringing new material to the studio and this was one of those new songs that I had written during the sessions rather than prior to the album’s recording process. When it became clear that If we were to record this song we would have to bring in a male vocalist, the first option for me was Billie Beckett, I mean we’ve been fans of Reported Failure for a while now and he’s an incredible musician so he was my first choice. Billie was the only option for the collaboration in my opinion, I think there’s a friendship between Riot! and Reported Failure, they’re a band we respect hugely and so I’m delighted that Billie agreed to work with us on the song.
It’s a kind of love song and we had the basis of it written before Billie entered the studio, we made a couple of changes after playing it together for the first time and the recording of the song was quite fluid and it all happened within a short space of time for us.”
- Amy Meyer

Song Lyrics

Amy Vocals
Billie Vocals
Together

Do You Remember When We Were Young?
Sure, We Spent Our Days Wrapped Together Bathed Beneath The Sun
Do You Remember Our First Kiss?
How Could I Forget, It Was The First Time I Ever Felt Bliss
Do You Remember When You Said I Was The One?
Sure Enough, I Do, I Felt Like This Is Where We Belong
So How Come When I Opened My Eyes, You Were Gone?
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I Was Scared Of Growing Old That Day
It Was Dumb To Make Our Plans In Such A Naïve Way
Time Changes Things And In The Moment I Was Scared
But I’ll Still Maintain That What I Did Was Right
I Couldn’t Lie To You And Stay With You That Night
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Did You Ever Think About The Heart That You Let Fall?
Well Did You Ever Think Of Me
Did You Ever Think Of Me
Did You Ever Think Of Me
At All!
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Dearly Beloved Did You Ever Think Of Me
When I Was Wrapped Alone With My Insecurity
Every Night Your Face Was Always There
Staring Down At Me And Just Reminding Me
With The Silence In The Air
---
Did You Ever Think About The Heart That You Let Fall?
Well Did You Ever Think Of Me
Alone With My Empty Soul
Did You Ever Think Of Me
At All!
---
Dearly Beloved Can You Ever Make This Right
Well I Still Dream Of You Wrapped In My Arms Every Single Night
Dearly Beloved Do You Think There’s Still A Chance For Me And You
Now I’m Older My Heart Is Clear That This Picture Could Come True
Dearly Beloved Will You Ever Hurt Me Again
I Promise Nothing That I Do Will Ever Leave You Pain
Dearly Beloved Come Over And Please Just Hold Me Tight
I’ll Never Let Go This Time
Dearly Beloved We’ll Be Fine