Review Summary: Dogs Blood washes away Old Crows and Young Cardinals, Watch Out!
...Not Really, but it is good.
For those still waiting for the second coming of Watch Out!, sorry.
Alexisonfire has put forth its new EP, Dog's Blood, which shows the band much more concerned with how they sound to themselves rather than to the listener. For those who think this is a bad thing, sorry again.
Dog's Blood has Alexisonfire sounding angrier than they have on their previous outings. The EP opener, Dog's Blood, kicks off with a snarling riff and pounding drums and explodes with George Pettit screaming over the top, sounding more pissed off on one song than he did on the entire OC/YC album. But then the song shifts; and becomes a stripped down affair with Dallas Green singing a mournful tune. But the bridge is more like the eye of a storm, as George and Wade MacNeil come crashing back in trading lines like they never really stopped. This song should feel familiar to those who listened to their self-titled effort, as I instantly felt like I was in 2002 listening to "The Kennedy Curse."
Alexisonfire sounding like themselves is seen on , with Grey borrowing lines from "Young Cardinals." Oddly enough, the song sounds more like something found on Crisis. 'Black as Jet' is impossible to place, with regards to their previous albums, but could be considered to be a harbinger of things to come. Thats what the listener is left with as 'Vex' has no vocals, something that hasn't been seen on any of their previous albums. But for a song with no lyrics, it certainly does speak to the listener. The guitars trade riffs and passages and the rhythm section of Chris Steele and Jordan Hastings keep things interesting, yet grounded. The lack of lyrics may have to do with the lack of Dallas Green. Dallas Green, is notably missing from the songs. With the exception of the title track, he is sticking to 6 string and doing it admirably, 'Grey' and 'Vex' might have the best guitar work heard from Alexisonfire in awhile.
Don't confuse the rating though, Dog's Blood as an LP with similar songs merits a 4 at least. But remember, this is only a 4 track EP, with one track containing no lyrics. Dog's Blood is very good, super concentrated, but lacks the depth and production (possibly on purpose?) that Crisis and OC/YC had, respectively. Easily the best EP out right now.
Must listen to Track- Grey
