Mostly everyone knows the Columbus-based band Twenty One Pilots because of their two breakout singles, "Ride" and "Stressed Out," the latter of which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Most people do not know that the album that these two songs are off of, "Blurryface," is not their first album, not even their second album. In 2013, they released "Vessel," an album that gained them mainstream attention. Before that album, however, they released a self-titled effort in 2011 that started their rampant fan base's love for them, and that is the focus of this article for this week.
In 2011, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun released their first album under the name of Twenty One Pilots. The two men, being Christians, are not very open about their faith, but they openly address it on the powerful "Addict With A Pen." The song talks about how wanting to be washed over with God's grace. The song endeared them to many people, not just the Christian community; it shows off Joseph's skill for writing very deep and intellectual lyrics that are seen in later songs such as "The Judge."
While the album is far from perfect, the influences that it plays with are seen in today's music that they put out. For example, the often-underrated "Taxi Cab" talks about leaving this life behind and looking for to what God will be like in the afterlife. The song "The Judge" from the album "Blurryface" talks about seeing God as The Judge of good and bad and how that carries on into the afterlife.
Another thing that this album influenced was Joseph's ferocity when it comes to his rapping prowess. His flow that he shows off on current songs like "Lane Boy" and "Ode To Sleep" can be seen being cultivated on the song "Fall Away." The song is topped off with an insane second verse from Joseph which includes him talking about how selfishness takes him away from acting right toward himself and others.
This album means so much to the careers of these two men because this was the first time they had a chance to be themselves with their music and people accepted them for it. The voices of these two men in music means so much. They sing songs for the people who are seen as "not cool" or "loners." They bring people together in ways that they would never have been together before. They sing songs for people to feel. Can you remember the last time someone made you feel something when you heard their music? I cannot.
This album started all of that. There are songs on here that will make you feel happy and make you feel sad. It is the first piece of music that made me look at myself and question what I can do better. That's why it should be revisited.
