Sci-Fi Crimes- Chevelle Review

An article by Brad    1 Comment

I have a hard time reviewing music.  Let’s get this out of the way.  I know what I like, and I know what I don’t like.  In fact, music is so subjective, i don;t know how anyone reviews it.  It can be easier with a movie: how is the plot, how is the acting, how is the directing.  But music is much more subjective.  If you love a band, there’s a good chance you’ll love anything they release, regardless of what the critics say.  Because there is something about music that is hard to define.  Too often an album is defined and reviewed based on the complexity of the music as well as the evolution of the sound from previous albums.  But, in the end, how much does any of that matter?  For example, I love Disturbed.  And its quite obvious that the last album, Indestructible, is more mature, more refined, more varies, than The Sickness.  But does that make it a better album?  Not really.  If you like an album, you like it, despite what anyone else says, regardless of what the dissection of the music itself reveals.

But onto the new album by Chevelle, Sci-Fi Crimes.  And I’ll simply say that I like.  Its different than their four previous albums (yes, I’m including Point #1″).  It is a mature album than the earlier ones.  It sounds more refined.  And the individual songs seem to explore more themes and styles.  I’m not saying that I didn’t like the previous four albums.  I do.  Alot.  In fact, i wouldn’t even say that it is my favorite Chevelle album.  But it is fun to listen to as the each song offers something different.

Jarswas the first single, and while a good song, its far from my favorite.  But that shouldn’t surprise anyone.  How often is the first single the best song?  It often carries the catchiest tune but rarely is the best.  Case in point, their second album, “Wonder What’s Next”.  Send The Pain Below and The Red were the first singles, but far from the best songs.  But they were the most radio-friendly.  Closure is arguably the best song, with Comfortable Liar and Don’t Fake This not far behind.  In fact, The Red is probably my least favorite song from that album.

What sets this album apart from the previous offerings is that it starts strong, as all all of the previous albums do, with a song that sets the mood for the album, but it also ends very strong.  In this case,  Sleep Apnea, probably the best song on the album, sets the opening tone, and The Circus, the final song, closes it out perfectly.  Whats in between is interesting and enjoyable.  The music, as a whole, is slower, with less screaming and more vocal range from Pete Loeffler.  There are a few misses (unlike Wonder What’s Next, which is marred only by One Last Visitor, which is a little bizarre), but no songs I would skip over.  One of the best songs, “Fell Into Your Shoes” is very reminiscent musically and vocally of “Where is My Mind” by the Pixies, and even makes me think of the scene from Fight Club where the city burns to the sounds of the Pixies.

If you like Chevelle, you have probably already picked up the album.  And hopefully you weren’t disappointed.  But if you are interested but haven’t committed yet, go get it.  It may take a couple of listen-throughs to appreciate what you’re hearing, but its worth the cash and the time.

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