Description
Sense Field - Living Outside – CD
Released on December 9, 2003, Living Outside is the fifth and final studio album by Sense Field, the influential post-hardcore and emo band from California. Known for their deeply emotional songwriting and melodic sensibilities, Sense Field had been active since the early 1990s, playing a pivotal role in shaping the emo and alternative rock scenes.
This album followed Tonight and Forever (2001), which brought them mainstream attention with the hit “Save Yourself”. However, Living Outside leaned into a more polished, radio-friendly rock sound, incorporating elements of alternative rock, power pop, and post-hardcore while retaining their signature emotional depth.
Living Outside continues Sense Field’s evolution from raw, post-hardcore energy to a more melodic, anthemic rock sound. Compared to their earlier, heavier records like Building (1996), this album is cleaner, more accessible, and atmospheric. The production is slick and polished, with shimmering guitar tones, soaring choruses, and Jonathan Bunch’s passionate vocals at the forefront.
While the album embraces a radio-friendly approach, it still carries a strong emotional core, with introspective lyrics and uplifting, anthemic melodies. Fans of bands like Jimmy Eat World, The Juliana Theory, and Further Seems Forever will find much to love here.
Track Highlights
“Burn” – The album’s lead single and most well-known song, featuring a huge, soaring chorus and heartfelt lyrics about perseverance and emotional pain.
“Running Behind” – A melodic, mid-tempo rocker with introspective lyrics and an anthemic quality.
“You Own Me” – A deeply emotional song with beautiful melodies and a swelling chorus, one of the album’s standout tracks.
“No Medicine” – A catchy, upbeat song with a punchy rhythm and an energetic vocal performance from Bunch.
“I Refuse” – A more intense, driving track that hints at the band’s post-hardcore roots, with a passionate, urgent energy.
“On Your Own” – A slower, more atmospheric song that builds into a powerful, uplifting chorus.
“Guillotine” – A moody, emotionally charged track with dark, introspective lyrics.
“Haunted” – A dynamic, emotional song that balances delicate moments with powerful bursts of energy.
As with all Sense Field albums, Living Outside is deeply personal and introspective. Jonathan Bunch’s vocal performance is filled with sincerity, making every lyric feel raw and relatable.
Living Outside received positive reviews, with critics praising Bunch’s vocals, the album’s anthemic melodies, and its emotional sincerity. However, it didn’t achieve major commercial success, likely due to label struggles and the evolving rock landscape of the early 2000s.
Sadly, Living Outside became Sense Field’s final album, as the band broke up in 2004. Tragically, Jonathan Bunch passed away in 2016, making this album a poignant final chapter in the band’s career.
Despite their breakup, Sense Field remains a highly influential band in the post-hardcore and emo scenes, with Living Outside serving as a testament to their ability to blend raw emotion with soaring, anthemic rock.
Living Outside is a powerful, emotional album that stands as a fitting swan song for Sense Field. While it leans toward a more polished and radio-friendly sound, it retains the heart and sincerity that made them such a beloved band in the emo/post-hardcore scene. If you’re a fan of melodic, heartfelt rock with deep emotional resonance, this album is definitely worth revisiting.
Nettwerk Records
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Burn
Running Behind
On Your Own
You Own Me
I Refuse
No Medicine
Feel What You Feel
Take What You Want
Memory
A Letter To Elise
Haunted
