Review Summary: The new release by Chiodos shows a more medolic, mature side of the band. The band ranges its style of music from slow, to upbeat, to heavy. Listen to this album with fresh ears because whether you loved or hated the last release, you may be surprised.
Chiodos
A band you've most likely heard of somewhere. The Michigan band blew up in the underground scene with their debut full length "All's Well That Ends Well." The relationship that most people have with this band is either love or hate. Some people think the music is extraordinarily amazing, and others absolutely hate it. But with there second full length album "Bone Palace Ballet", their sound has changed and matured. The vocals are much better and definitely more mature, the guitars work very well together and the lead guitarist shines in many different parts. The drums arent fantastic but are very solid and go good with the record, as is the bass. The keys add a cool atmosphere to the band and although they lost most of the circus-like sound in the last record, the keys matured with the rest of the album and add a lot to the band.
No matter what you thought of their previous works, give it a second chance and listen to this CD with a fresh mind. However, don't expect a carbon copy of their last CD, because this one has a sound of its own.
Track 1: Is It Progression If A Cannibal Uses A Fork?
The first song on the album is rather dark, even as it starts out, both the lyrics and the instruments. It has a nice mix of upbeat tone, but dark atmosphere, and of course a catchy chorus. A couple good screaming parts also, the singer uses screaming more sparingly in this record, but at times where it is more effective. There is also a talking part towards the end of the song, which adds some originality to the song. For the first track, its a pretty good opener but don't judge the rest of the CD on this song.
Score: 4.5/5
Track 2: Lexington. (Joey Pea-Pot With A Monkey Face)
One bad thing about this CD is the song titles are rather ridicilous, come on guys! Anyways this song is quite different from the first. It starts out with a nice piano and snare intro. The verse of the song appears to be a bit boring at first, but then you notice how much the singer's voice has improved from the last record. The song then goes into a bouncy, catchy chorus. Overall the song is pretty good, but a little too long and has some boring parts.
Score: 4/5
Track 3: Bulls Make Money, Bears Make Money, Pigs Get Slaughtered
This song has a rather catchy intro that sucks you into the song. The verses and choruses are alright, but the song really starts to stand out about halfway through, theres some guest screaming from the singer of Underminded (he also appears in the last song), over an alright breakdown. The song then fades out with some annoying noises. Overall this one is alright, but not one of the best on the CD.
Score: 3.5/5
Track 4: A Letter From Janelle
This song shows more of a medolic side of the band, and they do quite the good job. This song has a very cool atmosphere, something you have to listen to yourself. Other than that nothing really stands out about this track, its nice to sit back and listen to, and has a nice outro as well. The best slower track on the record.
Score: 4/5
Track 5: I Didn't Say I Was Powerful, I Said I Was A Wizard
You think this is going to be another softy at first, with a nice accoustic intro, but it quickly tricks you and becomes very upbeat. This is another of the songs that have its moments and other moments are kind of boring, nothing really stands out.
Score: 3.5/5
Track 6: Teeth The Size Of Piano Keys
This is the upbeat heavier song that you are craving after listening to the last one. It starts out with a cool riff with a weird time signerature. The vocals are at their best on this song, as is the overall tone of the band, the instruments all work together very well on this track. My favorite on the CD, and it has some amazing slower and heavier parts.
Score: 5/5
Track 7: Life Is A Perception Of Your Own Reality
This is another of the more lighter upbeat songs, but this one turned out well. It has a cool strings intro, which flows smoothly into the song. This one has some very catchy verses and choruses. The vocals have a bit of Coheed and Cambria, and the overall song is just catchy as hell.
Score: 4/5
Track 8: If I Cut My Hair, Hawaii Will Sink
This one is another of the more darker songs. It starts off somewhat dull but pulls into a more exciting moment soon after, with another catchy chorus. This song has its moments but other parts are boring.
Score: 3/5
Track 9: Intensity in Ten Cities
This is the bands attempt at a slow ballad song. It was obviously meant to be the "Lindsey Quit Lollygagging" on the new record, and while trying to be epic, it ends up being boring. My least favorite on the record, it just doesnt catch my attention like the other songs.
Score: 2.5/5
Track 10: The Undertaker's Thirst For Revenge Is Unquenchable (The Final Battle)
A good way to the end the CD, its probably the second best song and is one of the more heavier ones. It has an awesome breakdown with screaming at the beginning. The guitar works well at this part, one chugging away and the other playing a cool riff in the background. This song goes from heavy to soft and back again many times. But it has some exciting parts, including where the singer of Underminded does more guest vocals. One of the better tracks on the CD, dont stop listening before you get to this one.
Score: 5/5
Overall the band goes to more extremes at some parts of the album, with some very dark songs, and others very light. The band sounds much more devolped and matured since the last album. There are many exciting moments in the album, but other parts are just blah and boring. Give the album a chance though, you may enjoy their new sound.
Reccommended Tracks:
Is It Progression If A Cannibal Uses A Fork?
A Letter From Janelle
Teeth The Size Of Piano Keys
The Undertaker's Thirst For Revenge Is Unquenchable (The Final Battle)
