It is really easy to rag on alternative metal – simply change “alternative” to “nü”, and the classification instantly becomes negative. It is all for good reason: most of the bands categorized like this do indeed suck. Being an alternative metal band, it was surprising how many heads turned when Chevelle released the single “The Red” in 2002, followed by their surprisingly good full-length Wonder What’s Next. It was not the band’s first LP, but it was their first major foray into the rock charts, gaining a loyal fan base along the way. They followed it up with another strong output, 2004′s This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), while 2007′s Vena Sera continued the trend, but wasn’t as memorable as its predecessors. Now, since it is 2009, time has naturally run its course, and Chevelle are due for full-length number five (including the previously unmentioned Point #1), which is interestingly entitled Sci-Fi Crimes. From the look of the cover – the band’s most adventurous yet – it is easy to go into the listening process with high expectations. Are those expectations met? Read on and find out.
Like previous Chevelle efforts, Sci-Fi Crimes starts out strong; “Sleep Apnea” features a heavy riff, double bass, and a catchy chorus. Classic Chevelle, but not adventurous. “Mexican Sun” shows off frontman Pete Loeffler‘s chops – always one of the band’s best assets, but he has stepped up and is on full display for most of the album. Skip ahead to the first single, “Jars”: again, classic Chevelle, but with a bizarre lyrically-driven chorus (“Oil that tastes like blood/Stole the summer scent from me to you/You’re stabbing me through you/You’re stabbing you through him”) that really makes the track stand out. In fact, Sci-Fi Crimes is the band’s best lyrical voyage so far, with some of the tracks (“Jars”, “Letter From a Thief”) seeming to have a fitting sci-fi theme, while the rest all have religious undertones that are used to benefit the lyrics (not drown them in an annoying “holier than thou” attitude. How refreshing).
“Fell Into Your Shoes” feels like Chevelle Lite at first, but rotates between full-on metal riffage and a poppy chorus that is easy to digest. “Highland’s Apparition” is the album’s only acoustic track (every Chevelle album has one or two of them), but works mostly as a showcase for Pete Loeffler’s voice. Immediately after, you are greeted by the album’s heaviest track “Roswell’s Spell”, which is followed up by the (surprisingly interesting) jam “Interlewd” (hah, clever), and “A New Momentum”, another track that expands Chevelle’s understanding of the term “heavy”. The album’s finisher, “This Circus”, is the most fitting closer the band has put to tape so far – it eludes the typical “quiet ending” the band has used in the past.
No, Sci-Fi Crimes is not as musically adventurous as the cover suggests, but the band makes up for it with another solid effort backed by strong lyrics. Chevelle remain a trio that are a lot more than their nü-metal peers; heavy and melodic, which equals some damn good songwriting with replay value. Top that, Limp Bizkit.
(7.5/10)
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