Life Is Not a Waiting Room

Life Is Not a Waiting Room is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail, released on October 7, 2008 through Vagrant Records. Following the release of the band's second studio album Still Searching (2006), bassist Mike Glita left the band. He was replaced by Jason Black of Hot Water Music shortly afterwards. In early 2008, they were demoing new songs, and by April 2008, they had recorded their next album at Salad Days Studios in Fells Point, Maryland with producer Brian McTernan. Life Is Not a Waiting Room is a post-hardcore and metalcore album about the end of frontman Buddy Nielsen's relationship and dealing with his alcoholism and depression. Life Is Not a Waiting Room received generally favorable reviews from critics, some of whom praised the musicianship, while others commented on Nielsen's lyricism. It reached number 18 on the Billboard 200, as well as the top 20 on various Billboard component charts, including topping the Independent Albums chart. "Family Tradition" was released as the album's lead single in August 2008; the band went on a headlining tour of the United States to close out the year. In early 2009, the band performed on the Saints & Sinners tour and embarked on a tour of Europe, prior to an appearance on the Warped Tour. Guitarist Heath Saraceno left the band after the latter; they ended the year with another headlining US tour. Background and production Sense Fail's second studio album Still Searching, produced by Brian McTernan, was released in October 2006. In August 2007, it was reported that the band was in a studio. In October and November 2007, they went on a co-headlining tour of the US with New Found Glory. During this, Senses Fail wrote some new guitar riffs for future material. In December 2007, it was announced that bassist Mike Glita left the group on mutual terms. In addition, the band revealed they had started writing for their next album the week before. Throughout January and February 2008, the band wrote material in guitarist Garrett Zablocki's basement; during this period, they started demoing what they had. On January 27, 2008, it was reported that Jason Black of Hot Water Music was filling in on bass. Black heard of Glita's departure and called McTernan, who had previously produced Hot Water Music. Black queried if the band needed a bassist and asked for contact information. At the time, Brendan Brown, vocalist/bassist for The Receiving End of Sirens, was planning to join Senses Fail.