"With Settlefish's debut album, Dance A While, Upset, you are immediately struck with the anthematic qualities of the songs this band creates. The opening track Breeze cruises along like its name, building and fading, charging and retreating, using everything from drums, bass, guitar and vocals to a small horn section in an attempt at getting the point across. Then the chaotic aggression of Blindfold The Leaves takes your breath away in a completely different, but equally effective manner. The angular guitars are screaming as the drums beat them without a second thought, then the whole thing erupts into a rhythmically peculiar and overall mind-bending experience. Settlefish has shown a lot of promise here, as Dance A While, Upset oozes with energy and conviction in a way that sounds refreshingly new and exciting." - Alarm

"Italy's Settlefish access the right amount of honesty and poignancy on Dance A While, Upset, and they've managed to at once do something different and do something right. Fueled by battling guitars and dueling scream-singing, the dark, heavy and passionately broken ten-track record achieves a stirring sound of its own. Meandering amongst the desperate and melancholy (On Symmetry Pebbles), the hardcore-inspired and noise-drenched (Blindfold The Leaves) and the forceful and infectious (Artificial Synapse), Dance A While, Upset builds and broods, invites sadness and pleasure and aims to bring its listeners to their knees. Creating honest music that's culled directly from the heart, the quintet's explosive sound could come from none other than their own." - Alternative Press

"After witnessing Settlefish's impressive jaunt across America, the rock-listening public is at last able to enjoy Italy's latest post-punk desperadoes in the comfort of their own homes. Settlefish wowed many concert attendees and press folks (this one included) by being both distinctly different from their label mates and extremely energetic, and newly-minted fans will be pleased to know that the fellas don't disappoint on Dance A While, Upset. Jonathan Clancy's terse vocals and lyrics have a Cedric Bixler quality, but Settlefish is moodier and more technical than ATDI, and their guitar work is of a different species. What you'll really hear is the dissonant patchwork of pre-cello Cursive given a noisy kick in the pants by way of a third guitar. Yes, this is actually a three guitar band in which all three axe-slingers have a purpose other than increasing the volume, and with the complement of some blistering bass playing, you're left with a sensory bombardment of stabs, strums and feedback. The six strings really shine on Blindfold The Leaves when they culminate for a noisy finish of Sonic Youth-like proportions; the band also does a fine job exploring the warm and fuzzy end of the spectrum on Measures Can Divide; and then there's the spazz-core coda of Camouflage Iris, which has less to do with astute guitar playing and more with a remarkable rhythmic intensity. Such flashes of smart musicianship pulls Settlefish out of the rec ball field of emo and into the expansive arena of rock and roll. These rookies lay down slow-building rock like grizzled vets." - Splendid

"When it comes to uncompromising quality and singular attributes, Settlefish leaves its mark on indie rock with its debut, Dance A While, Upset. The atypical framework of these ten tracks seems to follow along the lines of glacial, subdued intros that twist and convolve into odd and disparate directions. Songs like Symmetry Pebbles build into cymbal-filled chaos and rickety guitar noodling; Camouflage Iris explodes into a maelstrom of blizzard-like percussion and alarm-bell guitar textures; the slow, quiet escalation of The Beauty That Corrodes evolves into a pendulum rhythm, and later a rippling, nebulous guitar effect. Still, there are plenty of examples of Settlefish getting right to the point, unleashing hellacious and stout rock capable of putting hair on your chest. The bass sizzles and pops, and at one point Settlefish launches into something resembling free-form jazz. Pilot has a serious hammering effect, but with lots of calms before the storm. The instrumentation on Artificial Synapse is controlled chaos coupled with the serpentine basslines. The closing number, Northern Town, is ten minutes of extremities and a whirring ambience is the only constant. Dance A While, Upset cements Settlefish as one of the most unique acts on the extensive Deep Elm roster." - The Journal Review

"Settlefish plays beautiful, energetic and emotionally intense music on On Dance A While, Upset. Settlefish are like a perfect blend of post hardcore, emo and indie rock. By the time you get to the third track, you are completely immersed and absorbed into the world that is Settlefish. I love how the songs are brooding, building up more and more until there's a final explosion of loud guitars and screaming that sends your jaw straight to the floor. I don't really know too much about the post hardcore scene in Italy, but i know that if other bands over there sound anything like Settlefish, then Italy has an awesome music scene. Dance A While, Upset is an excellent record and debut from Settlefish." - Calamity Project

"The first thing that you notice when you listen to Dance A While, Upset is that the vocals are a little more intense, the music a little slower and sadder, but with more power than recent releases I've heard. Perhaps it's the fact that Settlefish hail from Italy that gives them a different musical perspective. The recording beautifully captures the uniqueness of this music, where overproducing it would have killed much of the mood. The songs are very well written and actually trigger an emotional response in the listener. I have to say that this is probably the best thing that Deep Elm has put out in the last few years." - Geek America

"Listening to Dance A While, Upset from Settlefish, I'm reminded of what the intensity of post-hardcore is all about. Songs like Blindfold The Leaves and On Symmetry Pebbles really stick out in my mind. This is music to think about, and music to listen to when you're thinking. Settlefish are from Italy and definitely have their own flavor. The thing I really like about this band is the amount of sincerity they exemplify through their music. Something about the way the singer uses the words to paint a picture; he's a very visual writer and this definitely has very well-written lyrics. All in all, I'm digging this band and they're doing something a little bit different, a little bit their own, but still have enough appeal to win over a lot of kids. Look out for Settlefish." - Standup Jack

"Italy-based Deep Elmers Settlefish create a sense of panicked urgency from the moment the listener hits play. Stripped down and positively gripping, Jonathan Clancy's vocals escalate into a haze of angry grappling as Breeze takes its course, while On Symmetry Pebbles echoes the vibes of Karate, with tearing vocals and crescendos that hit hard inside your chest, requiring deep breaths all round. And so Deep Elm comes up trumps once again, unsurprising indeed, but still never ceasing to impress. Settlefish's music is raw, it's real, there's no facade and no boredom, just utter brilliance." - Rock Sound

"It's easy to be emo-phobic given the mainstream's current infatuation with and subsequent annihilation of heart-on-your-sleeve-core. But while bands like Jimmy Eat World and Good Charlotte use big egos and even bigger budgets to achieve watered-down results, emo remains a vital, underground sound for bands with more grounded attitudes and humble production sounds. Okay, if you had told me all of that before hearing Italy's Settlefish, I might have sounded the bullshit alert too. But, after six minutes of album opener Breeze, or, as I call it, heaven, I'm utterly convinced of emo's continuing relevance. Dance a While, Upset doesn't fade away either; the remaining nine songs are each quirky, angular, lovely and driving in their own right. As long as Deep Elm keeps bringing us bands like Settlefish and Benton Falls I'll keep one foot aboard the good ship emo." - Jersey Beat

"Whoever said Italy is only worth its weight in noodles and tailoring skills presumably has yet to hear the country's freshest musical export, Settlefish. Their latest album offers a consistently gratifying listen, tendering plenty of tactful transitions within each brilliantly inventive song. If their technique was crafted to guarantee all listeners remain steadily attuned, it most definitely worked, and with flying colors. Settlefish's songs render an uncommon musical grace; and their proficient, silvery guitars and steady, trance-inducing drumbeats stylishly shift from serenading to blaring while accounting for just about all that lies between. The band's sound is all their own, while, at select points, recalling the raw inspiration of the early emo days, and on rarer occasion resembling a slightly less ambiguous At the Drive-In ("Blindfold the Leaves"). Dance Awhile, Upset is sharp and magnificently scattered, and establishes the band's tremendous array of talents and overall musical competency, and all in the time it takes to bake a pie." - Real Detroit Weekly

"Settlefish has an edgy sound that fits comfortably in the indie rock canon yet remains all their own, and Dance A While, Upset is highly deserving of multiple listens. The true power of the songs comes through after you get by the fact that they're playing loud and intense. Perhaps it's Jonathan Clancy's voice, the use of so many guitar parts that work together so well, or the addition of double-bass and even horns at times. But I think it's the band's quieter moments where the brilliance comes through. Gruff and urgent, yes, but also deeply personal. The highly technical yet angular and intense sound brings to mind the best of At the Drive-In. Still, many of the songs draw little such comparison, and these are the band's best...even more powerful and intense than most hardcore songs I've heard. Settlefish confronts the typical emo cliche and turns it on its ass. They are developing their own highly unique sound in an edgy and intense way. Settlefish may be the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the year for me. These songs are deep and personal, highly effective and powerful. Dance A While, Upset is truly an amazing album that just gets better with multiple listens. Cheers to Deep Elm for discovering this Italian band and bringing them to our attention." - Delusions Of Adequacy

"Arriving with little warning, Italy's Settlefish make one thing very clear on Dance A While, Upset; they're here to knock your socks off. Incredibly detailed, technically flawless and so damn infectious, the songs are equal parts raw punk energy and carefully sculpted, intricate indie rock melodies. The end result is an unforgettable debut bursting at the seams with potent screaming guitars, elaborate drum beats and a voice like no other. It's as if the band was able to capture a thunderstorm in a bottle, unleashing it into cautiously structured and incredibly precise melodies. These unexpected, unpredictable explosions of rich sound are what really give Settlefish life and make these ten songs so ridiculously addictive. Day after day, week after week, Dance A While, Upset will stay fresh and keep the rest of your record collection on the shelf collecting dust." - Punk Rock Reviews

"I read the lyrics on Dance A While and became obsessed with Settlefish before I ever heard a note. The lyrical imagery was phenomenal, yet when I finally decided to listen, I was not disappointed either. With their brand of post-hardcore, they have definitely pushed the bar even higher for the Deep Elm crew, who have already released a bevy of excellent albums this year from Brandtson, Red Animal War and Benton Falls. The moving drum lines and the urgent crunching dissonance of the guitars make Settlefish a very interesting listen, but the vocals of Jonathan Clancy are what make this band stand out. I can honestly say that this is one of the best albums I have heard all year. Settlefish's energetic take on music has restored faith in music. This will be in my top 20 of 2003 list and I can guarantee that Dance A While, Upset will not disappoint." - Indieworkshop

"The great thing about Dance A While, Upset from Settlefish is that it will appeal to such a wide audience. Punk fans will love it because of its powerful energy and spirit, while the musical technicality and vocal depth will attract indie and emo enthusiasts alike. Imagine a more melodic At The Drive-In on ritalin. For their debut, Settlefish draws you into a contradicting musical dream world of both peace and chaos. Soft, sweet melodies are unpredictably interrupted by a whirlwind of screeching guitars and screaming vocals. Each song builds up until Jonathan Clancy finally explodes with screams of lyrical creativity. Settlefish rolls you up to the mountian's edge overlooking a beautiful horizon, then suddenly pushes you off. Undoubtedly, Dance A While, Upset will stir up a storm of emotions and when the dust finally settles, it leaves you wanting more." - Bettawreckonize

"Settlefish's debut, Dance A While, Upset is destined to become a Deep Elm classic. The band is able to piece together elements of post-hardcore with other more indie touches. Songs like Breeze and Pilot show their influences, from almost slow spoken words to faster chords. In the end though, Settlefish never loses sight of their goal and they write clever and original music played with heart." - Truepunk

"There's a lot to Dance A While, Upset, and I think it's the array of Canadian-socialization of American-influenced genres mixed with European open-mindedness that helps lose a definition when trying to explain what Settlefish can truly sound like. Take the emotional guitars of Low, the Gainesville sound of Hot Water Music and throw in some At the Drive-In time changes and guttural explosions. Sometimes lush, calm and with a soft lull, Settlefish will suddenly pounce the listener with chaotic dissonance and distorted power-chords reminiscent of old Gravity and Ebullition bands. Dance A While, Upset is an album with many highlights." - Feast of Hate and Fear

"Settlefish's music is unconventionally elegant, laced with nuance and unpredictability that at times seems out of place for a band whose songs are so firmly rooted in the squall of feedback and the beat of the traps." - Connect Savannah