My Latest CD Binge

As of March Eighth, 2007, I have no job. This is a great misfortune for me, due to the fact that I greatly enjoy purchasing albums, whether they be new releases, CDs released in years gone past, or gently used records from The Exchange. I always took great pleasure in pulling 30-40 bucks out of each check, while the rest lay dormant in the bank, waiting to be blown off on prom, IYC, driving classes, Christmas/Birthday gifts, College Admission Expenses, etc. Fortunately, Uncle Sam likes to open up his doors to the citizens once a year and say 'I'm sorry for being so greedy, I'll make it up to you by letting you fill out all these totally pain-staking documents and give you some of your money back'. Thank God for this. I got my refunds as of a week ago, and was pleased with the sum. What makes it better is the fact that I have $100 more coming. I paid a friend of mine who sold me a computer, put some in the bank, and kept just $30 to pick up some new releases that I was greatly anticipating. The anticipation was not in vein, I am pleased with each purchase, and I have decided to discuss them here, after listening to them many times through and getting a feel for them.


Unfortunately, I could not find album art. This is a shot of the band.

Shadows Fall - Threads of Life
I have been waiting a long while for this CD to come out. I have been waiting so long, it got to a point where I went against what I find acceptable, and formed some expectations. That's, right, I went into listening to this album with a rather closed mind. Luckily for me, Shadows Fall has managed to pull off a brilliant release. This record shows that the composer in all of them has completed his soul searching, and knows what he wants. Many will be disappointed simply because Brian Fair has vocals less dense in the area of screaming, and has allowed clear-throated singing and energetic growls to filter through. This, of course, does not mean that his distinctive wolf-like wailing is not present. It is present, and prominent. The guitar work on this record is amazing, even when the raging solos break out, the rhythm underneath is feeding the listener some very sweet ear candy. Some people refer to Shadows Fall as 'metalcore', a widely hated genre in the metal community, but that term needs to be thrown out the window. Shadows Fall is a modern band. They are a thrash band with a modern twist on it. I'm sure if some old-school metal elitist read this, he would hate me for calling Shadows Fall thrash, but I don't care. They aren't Kreator, they aren't Slayer, they aren't Megadeth. This is thrash in 2007, God forbid we should move forward. Old school thrash kicks ass, but we should embrace this as well. Shadows Fall put a gem on the shelves.
My rating: 9/10


Once again, album art is unavailable. Yet another band shot, before the original bassist Joe [on the right] left the band.
Chevelle- Vena Sera
Typically, I stay away from the whole alternative/hard rock/etc. genre, but I don't really force myself to. Many of these bands just repel me, such as Seether. The simplistic riffs and radio-friendly sound/lyrics make it all the worse. For some reason, I even find myself becoming quite queasy after listening to it enough, I kid you not. However, I can always make exceptions where appropriate; such is the case with Chevelle. This may be due to the fact that they are only like these bands in very few ways. They somehow manage to fit snugly into the genre, but defy it at the same time, like a rebellious youth speaking out against the parents who let him stay in their house. First off, the conveyance of emotion is amazing. You can feel a darkness in the riffs and the vocal style. In any other band, the vocals are merely done with style for the sake of....style. Chevelle's riffs are rather simplistic, but still rock pretty hard, and fit well with the music. You may remember me speaking of Nirvana, and how songwriting is more important than technical proficiency. This applies here. I can play a few Chevelle tunes, and I can tell you that they rock pretty hard, and are very fun to play. Pete's voice does not seem all too unique or special, but at the same time, unlike that of those who seem to play music in a similar vain. While other bands attempt to go down the middle of the vocal path, going for a rough and gravely growl, Pete goes from one side to the other, going from smooth and clean singing to all out screaming. I'll wait a while, someone is bound to tab out this album. I plan on learning few tunes. The only downfall of this album is the fact that it shows no evolution or progression, it seems like 'This Type of Thinking...' Part II. A small price to pay, considering they are different tunes, and that record rocked anyway.
My rating- 8/10, an easy 9 if it weren't for that last point I made.


Modest Mouse- We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Surprisingly, I was anticipating this even more so than the new Shadows Fall outing. I haven't been waiting as long, but the magnitude of my anticipation was twenty fold that of Threads of Life. I knew a 2007 release was in the making, but it wasn't until Micah showed me the music video for 'Dashboard' that I knew the new work was on the horizon, and that's when I got pumped. When I listened to this record for the first time, I was surprised at how it grabbed me just the first time through, a rarity. First, I was glad to see it still had the quirkiness of their previous release. One may think that through their commercial success, they would gear themselves towards a more mainstream and 'normal' sound, if you will. Not true. Also, they manage to put that one track on there that is very emotionally scathing, entitled 'Parting of the Sensory'. This song definitely strikes a chord with me, and I still have yet to find words to describe such a feeling. Overall, I would say Modest Mouse is back in the game with a great sense of refreshment. I've said this so many times before, but I don't care, really. Modest Mouse have shown progression, but still maintain the same tasty flavor as 'Good News For People Who Love Bad News'. This record has made me want to look into their older works, as well as hearing several tracks off of 'Lonesome Crowded West'. A very solid release.
My rating- 9.5/10, no joke.