The songs that appear on “Draw a Line” were all written before 2010. Songs like “End of the World Blues” and “Change” were partially fueled by the author's dissatisfaction with the G.W. Bush years and the foolhardy Iraq War. It's notable how these songs strongly resonate with listeners today, which shows the timeless quality of the tunes. The working man's anthem “Clock in, Clock out Blues” was inspired by working as a dishwasher and other low paid jobs in the author's early twenties. “Draw a Line” and “Don't Tell Me” are Rock n Roll songs about the futility of dictators and war, and the importance of thinking for yourself and resisting top-down, mindless, cult-like authority. “Mr. Brown,” with its sardonic lyrics, is the most recently penned tune and its funky bassline was recorded in one take, after a few practice takes of course.
Three of the songs that you hear on “Draw a Line” first appeared on Faris's first solo album (Through the Woods, 2005) which had a mellow, psychedelic, folk vibe. These three songs were chosen to get the full band treatment, to take them to the next level, and the new arrangements really shine. The intimate vocals and dissonant, incessant guitar riff in “Golden String,” a favorite of the band's fans. “Priest” with it's gut wrenching harmonica, and lyrics that were influenced by the poetry of William Blake. And “Land of Sleep” with it's dreamy, softer parts that suddenly turn into a slamming wall of distorted guitar and crashing cymbals.
Recording for the album “Draw a Line” officially began in 2016.
Guitar and drums were recorded live, with a scratch track vocal, to capture the vibrant energy of the band. The basic tracks took two years to complete. Then Faris wrote and recorded the bass guitar parts, and overdubbed the vocals that would appear on the album.

Draw a Line is a Rock n Roll record. It lives where rock meets the blues and punk rock. In The Burnished' music, the distorted rhythm guitar and warm vocals ride on the tight rhythm section of Faris' basslines and Steve's hypnotic, syncopated and driving drums. The average song is under three minutes, wasting no time to get straight to the point. The guitar solos are short and sweet, an influence Faris gets from The Beatles. Live, they play as a three piece, with their friend Matt P on bass. Both Faris and Steve are huge fans of all kinds of music, their vast knowledge of songs, bands, and music history is a bond they share as friends and bandmates. This album is cutting edge and refined, like a blade of burnished steel.