Where do I start? With the sorrow that this beautiful, monumental and much-loved band is no more? With the joy and elation that it even existed at all? With the adoration and respect of its creative ingenuity and wonderfulness? With the thankfulness and gratitude for seeing band members play their energetic hearts out and give fresh, innovative life to their remarkable songs? With the admiration and awe of what friendly, kind and warm people play this memorable music?

I don’t even know.

I’ve been writing for a long time, and I just don’t think I can craft my words carefully and complimentary enough to justify what this band meant to me and so many others. The kids of Columbia were lucky enough to have been graced with their presence a few times. Heck, one of our own even swapped spit with a member. I’ll do my best to keep the details out.

So Columbia and Braid go way back. We have a history together. We love the same movies; we appreciate the same cover songs. Columbia loves Braid. We’re friends to the end. I promise.

I remember the first time I saw Braid. I think. It was in Cleveland at a rundown concert hall. Chris was in his bleach-hair phase, and Damon was wearing his thick headphones so that he could zone in on his drumming completely. It was intense, happy and fun.

At least I think that was the first time. That’s actually something that’s pretty hard for me to keep track of because this band takes its ranks among those I have seen the most times. Gosh, what was the final tally: 10? 12? Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, "Big deal for me. Shut up, scenester, we don’t care."

Now hold on. Be nice. Alas, I do have a point. Whatever the final number is, I never got tired of seeing Braid rock out. Show after show, city after city, fest after fest, Braid stood the test of time. Whenever the band took the stage, it demanded everyone’s attention. There was never a heart that wasn’t touched, a foot that wasn’t tapped, a head that wasn’t bobbed or a tear that wasn’t shed.

I never was disappointed. I never was bored, and I never was without emotion. The memories of the band’s memorable, heartfelt and energetic performances mean as much to me as does the band’s entire stock of music.

So we’re sad that Braid is gone. We’ll miss these guys and their music. I think We covered that. Let’s go into further analysis of this documentary, retrospective collection.

The organization is commendable. We are lead through the Braid history chronologically according to recording dates.

We are given the chance to grow with the band as it progresses through the remarkable six years and define and refine its style. Screams to melody, Roy to Damon, it’s all here, especially the much-sought-after tracks from long-gone comps. Let us welcome them and celebrate their arrival.

This collective is a piece of our whimsical music history, however indie it may be. Braid was among the original purveyors of this melodic and hard-hitting sound. Its songs go deep personally and emotionally with complex-yet-simple instrumentation, structure, melody and lyrics. Each song is a glimpse into someone’s broken heart, swirling head and honest emotion.

- Devon Ritter