Too Close To Touch was one of the pivotal post-hardcore acts of the 2010s. The world lost beloved vocalist Keaton Pierce with his unexpected passing on March 25, 2022. In 2024, the band officially concluded with their release of For Keeps, featuring unreleased songs and collaborations with friends of Keaton and Too Close To Touch. Yesterday, in remembrance of Keaton, I did a deep dive back into their discography, as this band was there for me through many difficult times. These are ten of my favorite Too Close To Touch songs in no particular order.

"Pretty Little Thing" - Nerve Endings

I hear your call, you're crying out
I scream your name
Pretty little thing, Intention only when in need

"Pretty Little Thing" may have been the song that put Too Close To Touch on the map. The track was featured in Epitaph Records' Hot & Fresh Music Sampler from 2015 and is one of the most beloved tracks from their pivotal debut album Nerve Endings. "Pretty Little Thing" is unlike most of the songs on this list and the band's discography, having an upbeat tempo and describing the push-and-pulls of a toxic relationship. The song has a massive chorus fit for arenas and was a staple of their live performances until the conclusion of the group.

Aside: Haven't Been Myself

Haven't Been Myself is the band's definitive album, and it is not really up for debate. Keaton Pierce found himself at the lowest point of his life following losing his little sister to cancer. He spilled his entire soul into the album, creating songs that still connect with millions. Haven't Been Myself has been there for me at my lowest, and I cannot recommend this album enough if you find yourself in the pits of despair.

"Miss Your Face" - Haven't Been Myself

I'm so sorry, she cut me deep, and hope hasn't found me since.

"Miss Your Face" is probably the best showcase of what made Too Close To Touch special. Keaton conveys his pain with a beautiful vocal performance. The chorus feels massive and hits like a truck with a melody that sounds like he is in pain. The lyrics convey self-reflection and the self-loathing of not being willing to move on from a toxic situation and faking happiness while also pointing blame toward the ex for the hurt they caused. Most of us can relate to having been with someone terrible for us but unable to separate, "Miss Your Face" is a true break-up anthem.

"Sympathy" - Haven't Been Myself

Don't you dare say I'm gonna make it
'Cause I don't believe a word you say
There's a sickness living inside me
You can spare me all your sympathy

"Sympathy" is a heartbreakingly beautiful song. The lyrics are haunting, and Keaton spills his darkest thoughts from a pit of despair. I, and many others, found this song in times of hopelessness, finding comfort in knowing someone gets it. "Sympathy" is about believing there is no way out and pushing away those trying to help. I have spilled many tears to this song, and it has only gotten more challenging to listen to since Keaton's passing.

"Eiley" - Haven't Been Myself

God, why didn't you choose me?

Titled after Keaton's sister, who passed away unexpectedly, "Eiley" is an emotional punch to the gut. It is one of Too Close To Touch's few songs that could be considered a metalcore track. The song is Keaton screaming his pain of losing a loved one into the recording, with the added sense of urgency needed to convey his despair. The song touches on the feeling of survivors' guilt– wishing your life would have been taken instead. The agony displayed in "Eiley" is a true masterpiece, unlike anything I have ever heard.

"Burn" - Burn

I've been wasting all the ways, I could have brought you back
But that's okay, I guess today I'll care a little less

One of the first singles released post-Haven't Been Myself, "Burn," is a continuation of those themes of depression described earlier. This song tells the heartbreak of falling apart post-breakup. The self-loathing of knowing you are at fault and cannot bring them back. From a production standpoint, I have always been in awe of how they control the loud-quiet dynamics in this single. The chorus hits like a ton of bricks.

"Hard To Love" - I'm Hard To Love But So Are You, Vol. 1

Is it the way he says he loves you?
'Cause I used to say that shit too

In 2019, Too Close To Touch began releasing a series of EPs titled: I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You. This series of releases is often forgotten when discussing Too Close To Touch's catalog, which is somewhat disappointing because some incredible songs are found here– one of my favorites being "Hard To Love." Too Close To Touch's first foray into the pop genre and the Keaton-focused production showcases how diverse his vocal talents and the rest of the band's instrumental talents were. "Hard To Love" flips the usual self-loathing on its head and says, "Yeah, I am pretty difficult, but you are also a problem."

"The Fear Of Letting Go" - I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 1

What's the point of letting go?
Wilt away when it takes control
When my thoughts break through my bones
I'm afraid it's me I've never known

Produced by a legend in the metal and alternative world, Erik Ron, "The Fear Of Letting Go" is a hauntingly beautiful track. This is another self-reflective track about digging deep and discovering that you are the problem. Finding that after losing everything, you have no way out. There is hope in this track; although the lyrics convey hopelessness, there is hope in realizing you have a problem and need to change. The beautiful production and instrumentation mixed with Keaton's heartbreaking vocals make "The Fear Of Letting Go" a hard song to not cry along with.

"F.I.N.E." - I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 2

I'm just fucked up, insecure
Neurotic, emotional

Continuing the pop style of "Hard To Love" from the previous EP, "F.I.N.E." is a song about denial of needing help– everyone else is the problem. This song relies on the catchiness of its melodies and instrumentation. These lyrics are not winning an award for poetry, but the quote above is a banger and enough to keep this a fun track. We all know someone in denial of their issues; if you don't, you probably are that person.

"Pick Me Up" - I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 4

I'm so sick of dealing with the devil in a glass house
Wait for me to break before you take a shot at my mouth

"Pick Me Up" off of I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You, Vol. 4 showcases the grit from Too Close To Touch's earlier releases and the new pop sensibilities from the EP series. The lyrics in the song seem to describe people wanting Keaton for the work he created but not the person he became to make it. People love him for his fame but are not there when he needs them the most. The song features a pretty cool breakdown at the end that hadn't been found in a song of theirs in years. Overall, this song is a funky bop.

"Novocaine" - For Keeps

Do you remember the way
You used to tell me it's okay?
'Cause I can't remember those days

Released on March 8, 2022, For Keeps is a collection of songs released to celebrate Keaton's life and Too Close To Touch's work. The album is emotionally heavy, knowing how much fantastic music the band had left in the tank and how incredible of a talent was taken from this earth early. I strongly urge you to check out this album if you have not done so already. The track from For Keeps that always hits me the hardest is "Novocaine," featuring Noah Sebastian of Bad Omens.

"Novocaine" is a reflection of all the ways that Keaton had numbed his pain in trauma instead of seeking help. He is describing the realization that he is no longer capable of being saved and the longing to go back and stop the sickness that is destroying him from ever occurring. The song reads like a letter to his loved ones who had supported him in the past, wishing he still believed it would all be okay in the end.