Review Summary: Enter Shikari never fails to disappoint with this powerful follow up to "Take to the Skies".
Enter Shikari is:
Roughton "Rou" Reynolds - Vocals/Synth
Liam "Rory" Clewlow - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Batten - Bass Guitar/Vocals
Rob Rolfe - Drums
When Enter Shikari hit the scene a couple years ago, they took the genre by storm by not only by their catchy gang chants, breakdowns, and accents. But, Enter Shikari brought a new type of sound, by fusing catchy electronic synth hooks and drum machines to create an electronica atmosphere amongst their chaotic hardcore sound. Their debut album "Take to the Skies" was received well in the UK and overseas here in America. Enter Shikari went on to play Warped Tour, and a large following emerged for them, especially here in the States, and in their home country in the UK. We were all on our toes waiting for what Shikari would impress us with next.
"Common Dreads" is first a foremost one of the more ambitious efforts of Enter Shikari. The songs are definately not as hard hitting and "in-your-face" as "Take to the Skies" was, but the songs are stronger, more powerful, and heavier in their own fashion. The album starts out with an ensemble of sound clips which prepares the listener for the assault that's about to come. The album's message is imminent after this sound clip, after many different repetitions of the phrase "We Must Unite" in different languages. The intro track then blends it's way into "Solidarity", one of the heavier songs on the album, and it is clear Shikari had changed the recipe a little bit. Rou Reynolds's vocals sound especially well done throughout the entire record, but more prominently on this song. The synth effects are clearly heard, and are way differentiated than the stereotypical sawtooth plastered all over "Take to the Skies" (see Mothership and No Sssweat"). The screaming is not as prominent throughout the whole album, not going to lie. The vocals are more yelled and rarely screamed with Rou's inhale technique. But don't get me wrong, Rou gets the job done on this record. Solidarity features one of the only inhale screams, reminiscent of "Take to the Skies", clocking in at around 8 seconds. The vocals on this record are definately not a problem, for Enter Shikari.
The electronic effects take more prominence in tracks such as "Step Up", "Wall", and the stand-out track "Zzzonked." "Zzzonked" is a particular stand out, due to the aggressive nature throughout the whole thing. "Zzzonked" is by far the hardest hitting, heaviest track on the whole album. The ending is graced with different rave elements and concludes with a breakdown to leave you amazed. After this track (6, I think), you get the point of the album. You just get it. Shikari is out to impress with other musical techniques.
"Common Dreads" also features many electronic interludes (i.e. "Havoc A" and "Havoc B". These interestingly put together interludes end up being unforgettable. The lyrics of these interludes, and the catchy choruses of these songs WILL be stuck in your head for days and days to come. I can assure you all that. Enter Shikari may have changed up their musical formula a bit, but don't let that fool you into thinking that they softened up or turned their back at all. Tracks like "Juggernauts" and "No Sleep Tonight" are a much more upbeat "poppy" kind of vibe than we are used to from these boys, but the other songs on the album leave much more of a lasting impression.
The only 100% negative thing I can say about this album, is that this album is very opinionated and has major political undertones, and that may or may not hinder one's interpretation and appreciation of the album. But, as a musician and listener, I take most of that with a grain of salt, and appreciate the music for what it is.
Enter Shikari has changed, everybody. But, the result is this interesting and aggressive blend of Electrocore. Give it a listen, and try it all out.
Enter Shikari's sophomore album impresses and earns a solid 4/5 from me.
