Iwrestledabearonce
It's All Happening


3.0
good

Review

by Thor USER (73 Reviews)
June 2nd, 2009 | 269 replies


Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Review Summary: It's All Happening shows signs of a more mature and focused iwrestledabearonce. But really, they're still pretty damn goofy.

Iwrestledabearonce is clearly a divisive band, and it’s easy to see why. Their self-titled EP from 2007, while featuring their token spastic grindcore/metalcore sound, was marred with goofy interludes and throwbacks to Inspector Gadget and Super Mario Bros. While I do enjoy that EP from time to time, I fully accept its flaws and simply treat it as a guilty pleasure. While iwrestledabearonce’s sense of humor certainly hasn’t gone away with this album, it’s used in a much more contained fashion and shows a new sense of focus. It’s All Happening clearly isn’t the strongest effort that this band could produce, but hey, they’re young and clearly progressing. Iwrestledabearonce is also progressing quite rapidly as musicians, which is the most obvious through Krysta’s vast improvements both with her now surprisingly brutal low growls and crystal-clean melodic singing.

It’s All Happening’s strongest moments come from the contrast between electronica and the huge, soaring metal moments that follow. Listeners were given a taste of this last year when “Tastes like Kevin Bacon” was released. While the first half of that song is definitely iwrestledabearonce, it doesn’t really get going until the song settles down, and finally explodes with what is vocalist Krysta Cameron’s most menacing performance to date. The band runs with this electronic/metal contrast on several other songs, such as the beginning to “I’m Cold and There Are Wolves after Me” and “The Cat’s Pajamas”, the latter of which is probably the least gimmicky, and therefore, the most accessible and focused song on the album. “Pazuzu for the Win” is another incredibly focused song from this group, as it shows both their most effective use of breakdowns and much more compelling riffs than on previous songs in the album. It’s All Happening really reaches its peak right in the middle of the record and truly blew me back in parts.

Even though the general goofiness can be a major turn-off for many of those who aren’t fans of the band, it’s enjoyable in spots. While iwrestledabearonce do have a problem with dicking around a little too much on this album, there are a few instances where it’s simply fun to listen to. “You Aint No Family” would be a great example of this, where the band enters a full on hoe-down section, followed by a horse neighing before entering yet another chug-a-lug-a-wee breakdown. Sure, iwrestledabearonce does have a severe case of musical-ADHD, but in a few spots it pays off. Some of their goofiest moments will clearly become some of their most memorable on the record, and some of the most effective parts of their live performance. “See You in Shell” would probably be the only other tune that shows a very strong use of vast musical contrast. The song, starting off with their technical grindcore sound, quickly enters the album’s most technical breakdown with Krysta’s best clean vocals to date. And then not too much later you’re hit with a full on disco-break. It sounds outright silly on paper, but man would it make for an interesting song in concert.

I want to outright love this band and album, but the same reason I was drawn to them in the first place is the same reason they are now holding themselves back. While you can see in certain songs that iwrestledabearonce is clearly progressing and maturing as musicians, you can also see that the band doesn’t want to abandon their sense of humor which made them so popular so quickly. I’d give them a few more albums before they are a completely focused and effective force in the metal world, but for now I’ll gladly take my breakdowns with my hoe-downs and just accept It’s All Happening for what it is: fun metalcore.



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user ratings (679)
3
good
other reviews of this album
Rationalist (2.5)
This band crafts interesting tidbits here and there, but riddles these interesting bits with music t...

Zipzop5565 (1.5)
Attempting to stand out amongst a sea of female-fronted bands, Iwrestledabearonce’s endeavor is mo...

Comatorium. (4)
Eclectic, weird, and heavy. Also better than ANY other female fronted band out there....

anachronisticanarchy (3)
An enjoyable experience plagued by gimmicks and a hint of mediocrity....



Comments:Add a Comment 
Thor
June 2nd 2009


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

It's probably pretty obvious that I haven't reviewed since January.

Athom
Emeritus
June 2nd 2009


17244 Comments


quirky

elephantREVOLUTION
June 2nd 2009


3055 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

the same reason I was drawn to them in the first place is the same reason they are now holding themselves back.




i feel the same way but i still love this band. nice review

HighandDriving
June 2nd 2009


3288 Comments


Fuc k I should be liking this band/album as much as I am.

I'm not sure about a rating yet but it will prob be around 3, their gimmick wears off quick imo.

iamSeraph
June 2nd 2009


928 Comments


nice cover. will check it out soon.

AliW1993
June 2nd 2009


7511 Comments


sounds decent, i'll listen to the stream


luci
June 2nd 2009


12844 Comments


Album sucks but the singing is great

marksellsuswallets
June 2nd 2009


4884 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Pazuzu For The Win is awesome.

MaskAtTheMasquerade
June 2nd 2009


2924 Comments


weird album art

gaslightanthem
June 2nd 2009


5208 Comments


i can't wait for this album cover to get off the front page

Wizard
June 2nd 2009


20564 Comments


Excellent review Thor. Band makes me laugh but I just can't take them seriously enough to actually purchase one of their albums.

ConorMichaelJoseph
June 2nd 2009


1870 Comments


Band name brings the lulz
Also, Pazuzu For The Win

Mordecai.
June 2nd 2009


8410 Comments


i'll probably check this out.. The Inspector Gadget breakdown on their EP was pretty fucking hilarious

cfbassist
June 2nd 2009


381 Comments


i've never listened, and usually this kind of stuff isn't my thing, but what song has the inspector gadget breakdown?

and on a related (kind of) note, the idea of a inspector gadget breakdown is not new...check the song anti circle by the roots (off of organix)

poweroftheweez
June 2nd 2009


1298 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

@ cfbassist - on their first ep, the song Ulrich Firelord.



album is alright. gets old mega fast.

Mordecai.
June 2nd 2009


8410 Comments


"Ulrich Firelord: Breaker Of Mountains" has the breakdown. It's off their EP

Undead
June 2nd 2009


145 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

this band is a joke



great review though.

PanasonicYouth
June 3rd 2009


7413 Comments


Good lord, this chick can scream. And sing?! I definitely am going to check this out.

SuckleMyKnuckle
June 3rd 2009


20 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Why is this in punk? Also great review.



This whole band wouldn't be as good without the samples, which says something. Real gimmicky, but fun.

iamthenightmare
June 3rd 2009


755 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

because it is grind and grind is filed under punk



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