Crime In Stereo "Is Dead" (Bridge 9)
By Eric Chon
Wednesday. Jan 30, 3:22 PM
Melodic, catchy, hard-hitting, and almost impossible to categorize.

I'm going to start the review by stating that this is my first exposure to Crime In Stereo, so I do not have a comprehensive knowledge of their history to compare their latest release, Is Dead, to. From the samplings I've heard, it seems the band have shifted focus from their melodic hardcore roots. And if this is their output, then I say we were long overdue. Is Dead is a fantastic collection of melodic, catchy, hard-hitting and introspective songs that is almost impossible to categorize. You can easily tell they have roots in harder music, but the transitions between genres that happen so frequently here are handled with aplomb.

Ppener “Xxxx (The First Thousand Years of Solitude)” greets us with thundering drums and heavy guitar distortion, keeping a brisk pace that is probably closest to their sound of yore. It's a great introduction to what is one of more varied and lively albums I've heard in recent memory. Tracks like “Vicious Teeth” and “Small Skeletal” show us the depth Crime In Stereo are capable of, combining moments of pure beauty with breakneck rhythms and unconventional song structures without breaking a sweat.

They've discarded the traditional verse/chorus/rinse/repeat pattern, constantly keeping us guessing and on our toes. Unlike so many others, Crime In Stereo make their songs complex and accessible at the same time. Yet the hooks and melodies remain and the songs stay with you hours after. Tracks like “Unfortunate Tourist” and “Choker” will have you singing along before you even have time to be embarrassed.

Those of us who miss greats like Jawbox and Good Riddance will find a lot to love here. When it comes to melodic rock that displays intelligence and balls, Is Dead can stand with the best of them.
www.crimeinstereo.com
www.bridge9.com

Click here to buy this album on iTunes!

Click here to download the iTunes jukebox application for Macintosh or Windows!

Eric Chon

Got something constructive to say? By all means, rant away. Gonna blab about something unrelated and/or talk shit? Don't expect your comment to stick around.