Review Summary: It seems as if Chevelle didn't put as much thought into this record as it claims. Whatever the case, it's still not that great.
Chevelle was everything that a mainstream band should be. They were heavy, yet they had variety; and they had excellent musicianship, offering a more accessible sound that resembled the likes of Tool, Deftones, and whatnot. With the rousing success of their last album, it was probably no doubt that people were more than excited to see what else Chevelle had up their sleeve. When
This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) came out, audiences were singing its praise, claiming that it was even better than
Wonder What’s Next. But was it really? Sure it’s heavier than their last two records and it does offer some neat hooks, but that’s really all that this record is; a heavier Chevelle album with a few catchy rhythms to grab the listener’s attention. All in all, there’s very little substance to be found in this album. That’s not to say that this album is bad, it’s just not great.
Quite possibly the biggest issue on
This Type of Thinking is its immense lack of variety. Yeah there are tempo changes, but when you have songs that rely on the same guitar riffs over and over again, it gets boring very easily. The songs are indistinguishable, sounding the same almost every time the next song plays. The instruments feel too relaxed in their own comfort, relying on similar tempos which results in a lack energy throughout most of the album. Songs like ‘To Return’ feel drained of its energy right from the beginning, and ‘Still Running’ does nothing more than repeat the same lyrical lines and riffs over and over again that just feels lifeless and lazy. The album as a whole has this problem and makes it a tough pill to swallow in one sitting.
The next big issue with this album is its lack of originality. The production feels flat and sometimes unfocused. The drumming and guitar work doesn’t contain what made
Wonder What’s Next feel fresh and new. This album has more in common with something bands such as Three Days Grace or 12 Stones would create, both of which have even more dificulty with this issue. Most of this record feels like Chevelle recycled several of other bands’ (as well as their own) ideas, relying on half-hearted attempts at fitting in with more successful (albeit even less varied) bands that seem to hold similar ideas and throw them out at people like clockwork.
However, if there is one thing about this album that saves this record from being a total waste of time, it has to be Peter Loeffler’s vocals. He is the absolute star in the whole record as he practically kills it every time his voice is present (in a good way mind you). Granted he can’t save all of the songs from their laziness, but it’s during those moments when the band lets Pete become the front-runner when it becomes worth it in the end. He brings out the best in the album, particularly songs such as ‘The Clincher’ and ‘Vitamin R,’ both songs being the best on the record. Perhaps another good thing about this album is that despite its lack of energy, the album still knows how to bring out catchy melodies. ‘The Clincher,’ ‘Vitamin R,’ and the last two songs ironically enough are the only songs on the album in which the band as a whole seems to fully commit to themselves, and the result is absolutely fantastic. These songs do what the band most likely tried to accomplish in this record. They are catchy, well-written, and contain the most passion and drive in the album.
Again,
This Type of Thinking isn't bad, it just doesn’t bring out the energy and passion that made Chevelle's last album as good as it was. By all means,
Wonder What’s Next wasn’t the greatest album of all time, but it was mainstream rock done right. It felt original and ideal, and it did well as a result. This on the other hand almost goes the exact opposite direction. It feels like another typical mainstream rock album that we’ve already heard several times. It may not necessarily be a bad thing, but comparing it to
Wonder What’s Next, as well as their later albums, it’s just about as plain as it could be.
