Chiodos - Bone Palace Ballet
Artist profile:
Chiodos
Release Date: 29/10/07
Label: Equal Vision
Rating: ***
Out of all the sub genres to come out of the success of Emo, nobody would have expected its least accessible form to have gained any kind of mainstream success in the future. However the unthinkable has come true in the shape of a number five Billboard chart position and a massive US tour in support of Linkin Park that stops off at Madison Square Garden along the way. The band that has bought Emo’s heaviest sound to the masses is Michigan’s very own Chiodos and they’ve captured everyone’s post hardcore imaginations with their second full length album Bone Palace Ballet.
On the surface it’s unconventional and mind-boggling as the rest of its genres efforts. For example, imagine being a radio DJ and announcing their latest single as ‘Is It Progression If A Cannibal Uses A Fork?’ because that would never get past Zane Lowe’s lips on Radio One. However it doesn’t seem to be bothering the big guns across the pond and the answer as it always should, lies imbedded in the bands music.
Firstly this is not a proper post hardcore album. It’s a watered down version of a genre that is designed to appeal to lots of people who have grown out of your Motion City Soundtrack type bands yet shit themselves at the thought of listening to Dillinger Escape Plan. A pretty slim gap in the market but it seems to be selling like hot cakes in America.
Most of the tracks here would make it onto an alternative radio play lists and about half of those would make it onto mainstream radio. Let’s take second track ‘Lexington (Joey Pea-Pot With A Monkey Face)’. Bizarre name, yes but the music has all the catchy hooks of a chart bothering Fightstar song. Piano led, with a bouncy pop sing a long chorus it’s about as heavy as an ant on a diet. Not a scream or a growl in earshot yet the press release insists this is a post hardcore album.
The more conventional ‘A Letter From Janelle’ follows in a similar fashion. Melancholic chord structures take the song in a couple of directions but it would be better placed on their tour partners’ latest album. There’s a slight hint at this bands more ferocious side on ‘Bulls Make Money...’ as the track’s epic substance is somewhat interrupted by chugging riffs and an indecipherable vocal growl, but it's only a snippet.
In fact we have to wait until track six, the aptly named ‘Teeth The Size Of Piano Keys’ to hear the trademark duelling guitars and growling vocals so deep you could drown in them, which made post hardcore so enthralling in the beginning.
It would be easy to say this is a confused album, that the band couldn’t decide what they really wanted to deliver on this record. According to lead singer Craig Owens, everyone in the band wanted this album to be more categorized, in which case they’ve sold out rather then stick to the scene which made them what they are.
The point couldn’t be more proven then the final two tracks. ‘Intensity In Ten Cities’ is almost epic in its beauty. A piano led balled that will have you either consumed with emotion or sicking your guts up, it shows one side to Chiodos' qualities. But the record ends with what could be perceived as a statement of intent.
‘The Undertaker Thirst For Revenge...’ which bares much resemblance to genre definers The Bled, is a well written piece of post hardcore music. It’s a sure fire nod the bands past but it’ll be interesting to see how many of that original audience will spend the money to see them reverberate around half full American arenas this Spring. We would all accept the offer of the big time if given the chance, but lets hope it doesn’t go to Chiodos’ heads, because there’s definitely talent here it just need to be channelled in the correct direction.
Sam Tolley
Chiodos Myspace
Buy Chiodos CDs | Buy Chiodos mp3s | Buy Chiodos Tickets | Buy Chiodos Merch
Release Date: 29/10/07
Label: Equal Vision
Rating: ***
Out of all the sub genres to come out of the success of Emo, nobody would have expected its least accessible form to have gained any kind of mainstream success in the future. However the unthinkable has come true in the shape of a number five Billboard chart position and a massive US tour in support of Linkin Park that stops off at Madison Square Garden along the way. The band that has bought Emo’s heaviest sound to the masses is Michigan’s very own Chiodos and they’ve captured everyone’s post hardcore imaginations with their second full length album Bone Palace Ballet.
On the surface it’s unconventional and mind-boggling as the rest of its genres efforts. For example, imagine being a radio DJ and announcing their latest single as ‘Is It Progression If A Cannibal Uses A Fork?’ because that would never get past Zane Lowe’s lips on Radio One. However it doesn’t seem to be bothering the big guns across the pond and the answer as it always should, lies imbedded in the bands music.
Firstly this is not a proper post hardcore album. It’s a watered down version of a genre that is designed to appeal to lots of people who have grown out of your Motion City Soundtrack type bands yet shit themselves at the thought of listening to Dillinger Escape Plan. A pretty slim gap in the market but it seems to be selling like hot cakes in America.
Most of the tracks here would make it onto an alternative radio play lists and about half of those would make it onto mainstream radio. Let’s take second track ‘Lexington (Joey Pea-Pot With A Monkey Face)’. Bizarre name, yes but the music has all the catchy hooks of a chart bothering Fightstar song. Piano led, with a bouncy pop sing a long chorus it’s about as heavy as an ant on a diet. Not a scream or a growl in earshot yet the press release insists this is a post hardcore album.
The more conventional ‘A Letter From Janelle’ follows in a similar fashion. Melancholic chord structures take the song in a couple of directions but it would be better placed on their tour partners’ latest album. There’s a slight hint at this bands more ferocious side on ‘Bulls Make Money...’ as the track’s epic substance is somewhat interrupted by chugging riffs and an indecipherable vocal growl, but it's only a snippet.
In fact we have to wait until track six, the aptly named ‘Teeth The Size Of Piano Keys’ to hear the trademark duelling guitars and growling vocals so deep you could drown in them, which made post hardcore so enthralling in the beginning.
It would be easy to say this is a confused album, that the band couldn’t decide what they really wanted to deliver on this record. According to lead singer Craig Owens, everyone in the band wanted this album to be more categorized, in which case they’ve sold out rather then stick to the scene which made them what they are.
The point couldn’t be more proven then the final two tracks. ‘Intensity In Ten Cities’ is almost epic in its beauty. A piano led balled that will have you either consumed with emotion or sicking your guts up, it shows one side to Chiodos' qualities. But the record ends with what could be perceived as a statement of intent.
‘The Undertaker Thirst For Revenge...’ which bares much resemblance to genre definers The Bled, is a well written piece of post hardcore music. It’s a sure fire nod the bands past but it’ll be interesting to see how many of that original audience will spend the money to see them reverberate around half full American arenas this Spring. We would all accept the offer of the big time if given the chance, but lets hope it doesn’t go to Chiodos’ heads, because there’s definitely talent here it just need to be channelled in the correct direction.
Sam Tolley
Chiodos Myspace
Buy Chiodos CDs | Buy Chiodos mp3s | Buy Chiodos Tickets | Buy Chiodos Merch
Comments
steve!
04 Aug 2008, 04:05
04 Aug 2008, 04:05
definitely one of my favorite modern bands right now, that singer is just...idk it shouldn't be possible
Steffany!
21 Sep 2008, 01:40
21 Sep 2008, 01:40
They should have given a higher rating.
Craigery Owens voice is completely original. And they're songs are so amazing.
Craigery Owens voice is completely original. And they're songs are so amazing.
