Chevelle is a three piece alternative rock group from Chicago, Illinois. It is very surprising to see that for their first three albums, the band members were all brothers. The sound on their CD’s progressed with every album. "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)" is the name of this album and is my favorite of the three. The sound is a perfect mix of guitars, bass and drums. Not one of them steals the spotlight too much.
You all know of this band by their HUGE, and I mean HUGE radio single entitled "The Red". If you haven’t heard this song, there is something wrong with you. After their huge success with “Wonder What’s Next” in 2002, it was time for something new to be released.
Chevelle for this album:
Peter Loeffler - Vocals, Guitar
Joseph Loeffler - Bass, Vocals
Samuel Loeffler - Drums
Chevelle released this on September 21, 2004, and many thought they would go back to WWN to get song ideas. I think that is totally wrong, although it sounds similar.
The album opens off with a song that appears on Madden NFL '06 entitled
The Clincher. It starts out with a harmonic that leads into the drum beat and a catchy guitar riff. I think that this is the second single off the CD and is a good choice. It is very catchy. Not a bad way to open up an album. [b]Get Some[/B} sounds like it could’ve been placed on Wonder What’s Next, but it is in a good spot here. Everything sounds perfect and flows together nicely. Pete sings really nicely here and gets his message across. Guitar work is basic, nothing incredible. Something that somebody could easily pick up (it is that way with most of Chevelle’s songs).
Vitamin R (Leading Us Along) is the first single off of the CD and has had some pretty good success. It is also a very catchy song, along with Get Some. It has a major to minor feel to it. I tend to like these three the best because they flow perfectly together.
Still Running is a song that was available on The Punisher soundtrack. I don’t know how they got it on there right before it was released. The version on the soundtrack is a bit lower in production, and this is the full version. It starts out with Pete screaming something, I don’t know what. It opens up with him going
"Say it, say it
That it’s done
I want it, want it
Need it done" is the pre-chorus line that gets stuck in your head and he screams
"STILL RUNNING, NEVER WAKING UP, SAY IT" three times, that leads into the bridge. You will find the closest thing to come to a guitar solo from these guys in the bridge. It is a well crafted song.
Breach Birth is a song that is very technically played on the guitar. Very structured and complete. Gives you a sound like Breaking Benjamin, which is a good thing. A mini guitar solo is here in the bridge. The bass is audible, but tends to ride the guitar a bit too much.
Panic Prone is a near ballad, as it is soft throughout the entire song except the bridge. Pete sings exceptionally well and I actually find myself listening to this the most off of the CD. The bass is perfect for a song like this. You don’t need it to be special.
Another Know It All is easily the hardest song off of the CD, reminding me of Wonder What’s Next, the song from the first CD. It is similar in every way, except the bass is actually decent. It is a typical Chevelle sound and you won’t be disappointed.
Tug-O-War is probably my favorite off of the CD and is kind of like Another Know it all. It is a hard rocking song, but it has its differences. The chorus is well sung and is done perfectly. The guitar seems to highlight the song and it is very catchy. The bridge is very good as well.
To Return is the hard rocking ballad, if you will. The only song tuned differently than the normal Chevelle is very good. Sounds a lot like Tool on this song, without the buildups. One of the better songs on the CD.
Emotional Drought is another one of my favorites and is a hard rocking song from beginning and is the one guitar riff that is always stuck in my head. Sounds a lot like Dark New Day mixed with Breaking Benjamin in it. He starts to sing like Maynard James Keenan of Tool (and does a pretty good job) during the bridge. One of the best on the CD.
Bend The Bracket is the true ballad on the album, as it is the only one with an acoustic guitar, and only an acoustic guitar. The chord progression is very simple, but catchy. It is much better than their previous acoustic track One Lonely Visitor off of WWN.
Pros
Bass is much better than on previous albums
Singing
Guitar work isn’t recycled
Drums are catchy
Cons
Songs get repetitive
No guitar solos :(
Recommended Tracks
The Clincher
Still Running
Panic Prone
Tug-O-War
Emotional Drought
Bend The Bracket
Chevelle is a band that tends to have a Tool type influence and it shows, but for the better of it. If you can get the dual disc, get it. If not it is still worth the $13 I paid for it. A 4.5/5
