Review Summary: The best release by Chevelle to date, and in my opinion the 2nd best album of 2009.
Chevelle’s 2009 release of Sci-Fi Crimes was something I waited for with great anticipation, partly because I heard “Jars” on the radio a month earlier, but also because I had just heard of the group and bought “Vena Sera.” I also remember that I was sick on August 31st, and had to wait a day to get it at Wal-Mart. Anyway, The moment I had this CD loaded and ready in iTunes, and started listening to Sleep Apnea, I was hooked.
Sleep Apnea-
Great album opener with the riff. Love it. After a few listens however, it fell short in the rest of the album. This is one of Pete’s more interesting songs for me lyrically.
All in all though, the song should have been called “Insomnia” or something like that, because it doesn’t describe sleep apnea. At all. Anyway, it’s an okay song.
(8.5/10)
Mexican Sun-
A lot of people feel this song is lacking, in any sense of purpose. I actually really like it though, the lyrics are still a bit strange. “WATCH THE TAIL, BOY!” screamed twice in the song, just really doesn’t make sense. Maybe that’s why I love it. There’s just an edge in the song that makes me want to keep listening over and over again.
(9.5/10)
Shameful Metaphors-
This song should be a single. It probably won’t be. Much like Saferwaters, the song reaches out and strikes my heart, which is something not many songs do to me. “So why then, has all my life made no sound?” The lines seem perfect for DomFera’s “Kenny Bassender” It’s just an amazing song. End of discussion.
(9.5/10)
Jars-
I’ll start of by saying this song is the most played song on my iTunes. That’s out of over 800 songs. There’s something addictive about the chorus. “We can’t both become the pawn that’s made to fall.” Like the rest of the album, the song is very tongue-in-cheek and mocking, but more so still trying to get a true message about the environment across.
(9/10)
Fell Into Your Shoes-
Bullcrap. That what this is. Bullcrap. If Chevelle wants to have 11 songs on their record, by all means, that’s fine. Just don’t have it be a bad song. The guitar gets annoying very quickly. Long story short, Interlewd is better than this.
(2/10)
Letter From A Thief-
Okay, after that long, ridiculous piece of dung, Letter From A Thief is a welcome back to the album. The song is about when some of their stuff got stolen in a show in DFW, Texas, and I can say, that the song didn’t have the rough hard rock I thought it would. Although maybe for the chorus, it’s only an okay song.
(8/10)
Highland’s Apparition-
Whew. I thought Bend The Bracket was good. This takes Chevelle to a whole new level on acoustic songs, and if they keep this up, and have one of these type of songs on each album, I’d be amazed. Now that they’ve raised the bar, I’m afraid they won’t be able to match it again.
(9/10)
Roswell’s Spell-
After coming of Highland’s Apparition, there’s a big switch in genre. But I like it.
I always have liked when the heaviest and softest songs are next to each other on albums. Either way, the softer parts of the song draw out the best. “That’s why, I’m burning out inside, with a need to know.” The lyrics are really the main focus here, since the instruments are lacking.
(8/10)
Interlewd-
It’s an interlude. Not many times is it in the middle of an album. This would’ve gone better if it actually drew into “A New Momentum” but not everything works how it should, right? Honestly, they could’ve put bonus track “Leto’s Headache” here instead and still have 11 tracks.
(2/10)
A New Momentum-
Really, there’s nothing special here, and the song falls back into the pattern with Letter From A Thief. It’s an average song, and there’s nothing that really makes it stand out.
(7/10)
This Circus-
Personally, I think this is one of Chevelle’s best songs yet. Everything about fits perfectly into each other, and the last minute of it makes a great album closer.
(9.5/10)
In conclusion, Sci-Fi Crimes is a great record, and in comparison to every other Chevelle album, this tops them all as the best of the best.
PROS:
Great lyrics that make you think about the song’s meanings.
Drum work in “This Circus”
Best Chevelle acoustic song (Highland’s Apparition)
Addictive choruses.
CONS:
Fell Into Your Shoes and Interlewd have no point.
Songs like “A New Momentum are forgettable.
OVERALL:
B+, 2nd best album of 2009
(NOTE: THIS IS MY FIRST REVIEW)
