This is the band's first full-length release, and is their best to date in my opinion. The band has gone through numerous line-up changes over the band's short history. Nick 13 is the only original member. The line-up for this album wasn't meant to be permanent. Adam Carson is the drummer for AFI, but was/is good friends with Nick 13 and decided to help out his buddy in time of need. The same can be said about Peltier, except for the fact that his main band was the Quakes.
Songs Piece By Piece:
Track #1 - Prelude: Nightfall
This is an intro to the album and just like the other two Tiger Army releases, the famous (sorta) line "Tiger Army Never Die" is yelled in there. But to start the song off, there is a weird effect. I'd say it's from a guitar, but really, I don't have a clue what it comes from. Then a funky fresh bass line comes in along with some random strums on the guitar. The whole atmosphere is created very well through all this. It's kind of eerie, but groovy I guess you could say. Then after the instruments stop for a second, the volume and distortion is kicked in on guitar while one chord is held. Then the famous (sorta) line is shouted. Then all the instruments come back in, but this time much louder, faster, and more agressive. Tim Armstrong, Davey Havok, and Thomas Johnson sing backup vocals on this track after the line is said. The song ends in a single chord repeated nearly every two seconds for 4 times, but on the fourth time, the chord is changed and held and leads right into the next song. It's an intro, so stand alone, it doesn't get what it deserves. It is one of, if not the, best CD intros I've heard though.
3/5
Track #2 - Nocturnal
Like I said, the first song's distortion flows right into the beginning of this song and then a loud strike of all instruments come in for a brief split second and then an awesome stand-up bass line follows with more strikes of guitar and drums following. This goes on for a little while. Then the "strike" parts are repeated and after that a cool guitar riff comes in that leads to the first verse. The chorus has a really good chant thing going for it completing this song's anthem-type theme. After another verse and chorus, the song seems over, but then a really cool high pitched guitar riff comes in and is played through once by itself. It's played again, but then with the bass and drums playing as well. This is the song that really got me into the band when I heard them play it live. Excellent track.
5/5
Track #3 - Fog Surrounds
All intruments burst on the intro on this one only stopping right before the verse for a small guitar riff. The verse is pretty catchy, but I especially like the pre-chorus. The guitar chord is held and the you can hear the thumping bass really well. The chorus is pretty catchy too. The second time through, right before the chorus, a guitar solo comes in and it's sort of similar to the one at the end of "Nocturnal" in tone and whatnot, but you can tell the difference. The end is great too. You hear the "whoa's" of the background singers. I like the lyrics in this song because of the imagery it gives.
5/5
Track #4 - True Romance
The guitar starts off this song. The bass is really catchy throughout the entire song really. But the main part I love about this song is that it features my favorite singer, Davey Havok, doing background vocals. You can really tell it's him. The chorus mainly consists of Havok doing the vocals. The only real complaint I have about this song is that it ends abruptly after Nick 13 shouts "I took your f'ucking life!" Other than that, it's an excellent song.
4/5
Track #5 - Devil Girl
The song starts off with vocals and right away, you notice the effect on his voice. This is a pretty good rockabilly song. It's got a really sweet guitar solo in the middle. Other than that, the musical aspect isn't up to par for the band. The main thing this song has is Nick 13's crooning vocals. It's a good song. Not worth skipping, but there's better in this style by this band as well as others.
3/5
Track #6 - Never Die
It starts out just like your standard Tiger Army song, but that's not a bad thing. Really though, this song is more complex than any other on the CD. It really had to grow on me. It became one of my favorites after seeing them perform it live. The crowd always goes insane when this song is played. This is another anthem on the album when in the middle of the song "NEVER DIE!" is chanted many times over and over. Some parts in this song are dark, some are soft and mesmerising, some are fist-pumping. But the part right after the chant is the best in my opinion. There are screams and fast-paced playing that is filled with energy. Good song but it might need to grow on you, but when it does...
5/5
Track #7 - Moonlite Dreams
This song starts off with a cool heavy distorted intro on guitar then all instruments join in and the drums are played especially fast. Although a fast song, the vocals are sang slowly in the first verse. It sounds really good. The screams in the chorus compliment Nick 13's vocals really well. The chorus seems to stop the song, but then it picks right back up using the first guitar riff. The bridge I really like. It always gets me pumped listening to it. An excellent energy-filled song.
5/5
Track #8 - Trance
This song was a favorite the first time I heard it's mesmerizing rolling drum beat fade in. That same drum beat continues throughout the whole song if I'm not mistaken. It works really well with the theme and lyrics of the song. The bass and drums are the stand out instruments in this song. The guitar is always there, but it usually is muted with only a little solo and the occasional rythym part. Not too much you can say about this song except that it works well.
5/5
Track #9 - Twenty Flight Rock
An old rockabilly song that is a cover of the Eddie Cochran tune. Some of you may be familiar with the song already. The song starts off with a nifty bass line and then the vocals come in with an effect on them. This is a really cool rockabilly song that is much improved from the previous one on here, Devil Girl. This also is the only track to my knowledge the band will not play live presently because for a period of time they played it every show. I guess they got sick of it. The solo in this song is really cool too. Not perfect, but still worth a listen.
4/5
Track #10 - Werecat
The intro to this song sounds somewhat familiar. To me, this intro sounds a lot like the one to Moonlite Dreams with only minor change. The verse is nothing too special and the vocals have a different effect on them in this song as well. The thing I think this song has going for it is parts when the song fades out, then blasts right back in when you don't expect it. It's a good song, no doubt, but there's better on this album.
3/5
Track #11 - Outlaw Heart
A country song that is pretty different from the rest of the album. The slide guitar is pretty nicely done here. Their other country songs are better in my opinion. While this song is pretty cool, the complaint I have is that it kind of drags on a little long. Other than that, it's a good track. It's just starting to grow on me, so maybe later, I'll like it more, but right now here's how it stands.
3/5
Track #12 - Neobamboom
This is my favorite song on the album and my favorite Tiger Army song of all. The song begins with a cool guitar riff that serves as the verse and the bass is really cool moving from high to low and back and forth. It's really cool. In the middle of the song variations of the riff are done. This is also done near the end of the song. It's really short, but I love it.
5/5
Track #13 - Last Night
Good thing this was the last song on the CD because if I had to hear another intro similar to Moonlite Dreams again, I would be disappointed. But it is the last song, so it's alright. :) This song is all about the guitar. There are cool low riffs followed by solos that'll make you want to pick up your air guitar in the car when you're cruising around town. The vocals in this song are good in some parts, but could be improved in others. Other than that, it's a good one.
4/5
Analysis:
A lot of the pyshobillies we see today started out listening to Tiger Army. I would say they are more of a starter psychobilly band for those who do not know much of the genre. They are more accessible to the punk population because of the more distorted riffs and catchy hooks and also for the fact that they are on Hellcat. They are certainly not definitive of the genre. But this album especially can be taken as a look into what the genre may become in a few years. I think everyone should give this album a try. It's not for everyone, especially music fans outside it's genre. But I really can't tell you if you would like this album. You really have to give it a listen to see for yourself.
