After 2007's Vena Sera, the Illinois hard rock band is back with their latest offering, Sci-Fi Crimes. Apart from the cringes of the SF fans over the name (I know you hate the term Sci-Fi), this is an album with a lot of expectations attached to it; Chevelle have gone from strength to strength since 2002's Wonder What's Next, and I for one was really curious to see what the band has brought to the table.
The album opener really raises expectations; Sleep Apnea begins with a refreshingly interesting piece of riffage, which promises to trump anything that Vena Sera had to offer in terms of punch-your-face riffs. As Pete Loeffler steps up to the plate to deliver the vocal side of the deal, you realise he's gone back to the vocal styles of This Type of Thinking(Could Do Us In); which is an extremely good thing. The same abstract form of vocals, the same inflections of voice perfectly complement the heavy riffs that the song provides.
Songs to follow largely maintain the same trend; they either have the punch of a song like Another Know It All or Emotional Drought; or the ballad-ish feel attached to songs like Well Enough Alone or Paint the Seconds. A special mention of the track Highland's Apparition; Chevelle have now added a full acoustic track to their repertoire. The lyrics are also classic Chevelle; poetry and rhyme, on odd timings and meters, juxtaposing a plethora of lyrical topics and themes. The result is that there is something in here for everyone.
The overall sound of the album is a new high point on the band's discography; they have successfully improved on all previous efforts, and have produced a sound which is both charachteristic Chevelle and completely unique at the same time. If you asked me to pick my favourite tracks from the album, I would be hard-pressed to do so; there really wasn't anything bad on the album. I shall however, pick a few: Sleep Apnea, Mexican Suns, Fell into your shoes, Letters from a Thief, The Circus and Highland's Apparition. Although I do recommend that you listen to the whole album.
Reception from the who's who of the music world have been lukewarm, to positive in some cases. Considering thats never stopped anyone from trying to corroborate the viewpoint, you will want to hear this album for yourself. I doubt you'd be disappointed.
Lyrics: 8/10 Riffs: 9/10 Overall: 8.5/10
The album opener really raises expectations; Sleep Apnea begins with a refreshingly interesting piece of riffage, which promises to trump anything that Vena Sera had to offer in terms of punch-your-face riffs. As Pete Loeffler steps up to the plate to deliver the vocal side of the deal, you realise he's gone back to the vocal styles of This Type of Thinking(Could Do Us In); which is an extremely good thing. The same abstract form of vocals, the same inflections of voice perfectly complement the heavy riffs that the song provides.
Songs to follow largely maintain the same trend; they either have the punch of a song like Another Know It All or Emotional Drought; or the ballad-ish feel attached to songs like Well Enough Alone or Paint the Seconds. A special mention of the track Highland's Apparition; Chevelle have now added a full acoustic track to their repertoire. The lyrics are also classic Chevelle; poetry and rhyme, on odd timings and meters, juxtaposing a plethora of lyrical topics and themes. The result is that there is something in here for everyone.
The overall sound of the album is a new high point on the band's discography; they have successfully improved on all previous efforts, and have produced a sound which is both charachteristic Chevelle and completely unique at the same time. If you asked me to pick my favourite tracks from the album, I would be hard-pressed to do so; there really wasn't anything bad on the album. I shall however, pick a few: Sleep Apnea, Mexican Suns, Fell into your shoes, Letters from a Thief, The Circus and Highland's Apparition. Although I do recommend that you listen to the whole album.
Reception from the who's who of the music world have been lukewarm, to positive in some cases. Considering thats never stopped anyone from trying to corroborate the viewpoint, you will want to hear this album for yourself. I doubt you'd be disappointed.
Lyrics: 8/10 Riffs: 9/10 Overall: 8.5/10
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