And it is also really annoying that they quit doing the thing where they all sing over each other or at least Dallas and George sang at the same time. The juxtoposition of the three different styles (especially George and Dallas) made songs like .44 Caliber Love letter, Where No One Knows, Get Fighted, and To A Friend incredible. Now it seems like George does the verse and Dallas does the chorus and every once in a while Wade will sing something (I can't really tell that much, it's getting kinda hard to distinguish him from George at points) and they never really create a contrast. If they want to appeal to a wider audience that's fine, and they probably will sell records because their worst is better than other bands' best, but if they took what made them good within the hardcore/screamo scene (I know you don't want to call it screamo, but I'm not an expert on subgenres) and applied it to a more mainstream sound they would be so much better.
Indeed. Their music, while still being great listening, seems a lot more generic on this album. My favourite things about Crisis were how quickly the "feel" of the songs would bounce around and, as you pointed out, the juxtaposition of the vocals. I'd say that George's new style is just as good as his old screams, even if it's wildly different, but in my opinion, the song writing has deteriorated. The songs on Old Crows / Young Cardinals seem to lack the passion, and personal touch, that Crisis and the self-titled album had. However, this may be down to the...
Indeed. Their music, while still being great listening, seems a lot more generic on this album. My favourite things about Crisis were how quickly the "feel" of the songs would bounce around and, as you pointed out, the juxtaposition of the vocals. I'd say that George's new style is just as good as his old screams, even if it's wildly different, but in my opinion, the song writing has deteriorated. The songs on Old Crows / Young Cardinals seem to lack the passion, and personal touch, that Crisis and the self-titled album had. However, this may be down to the fact that I've not started to read between the lines of the lyrics yet. I have to agree when you say that their worst is better than other bands' best, I just wish that they'd put more effort into the song writing. Hopefully they're not going to follow the path of other bands who enter the mainstream, such as In Flames.
On another note, I wonder if George is going to keep the new vocal style for the older Alexisonfire songs at this year's Eastpak Antidote Tour. It would be really interesting to see him singing Rough Hands in his recent vocal style. (I assume he changed vocal style not only to appeal to a greater audience, but to protect his throat. I'm sure he'd struggle to pull off the entire tour if he has to mix the two styles at every gig they play.) Ah well, I guess we'll find out soon enough.
And it is also really annoying that they quit doing the thing where they all sing over each other or at least Dallas and George sang at the same time. The juxtoposition of the three different styles (especially George and Dallas) made songs like .44 Caliber Love letter, Where No One Knows, Get Fighted, and To A Friend incredible. Now it seems like George does the verse and Dallas does the chorus and every once in a while Wade will sing something (I can't really tell that much, it's getting kinda hard to distinguish him from George at points) and they never really create a contrast. If they want to appeal to a wider audience that's fine, and they probably will sell records because their worst is better than other bands' best, but if they took what made them good within the hardcore/screamo scene (I know you don't want to call it screamo, but I'm not an expert on subgenres) and applied it to a more mainstream sound they would be so much better.
Indeed. Their music, while still being great listening, seems a lot more generic on this album. My favourite things about Crisis were how quickly the "feel" of the songs would bounce around and, as you pointed out, the juxtaposition of the vocals. I'd say that George's new style is just as good as his old screams, even if it's wildly different, but in my opinion, the song writing has deteriorated. The songs on Old Crows / Young Cardinals seem to lack the passion, and personal touch, that Crisis and the self-titled album had. However, this may be down to the...
Indeed. Their music, while still being great listening, seems a lot more generic on this album. My favourite things about Crisis were how quickly the "feel" of the songs would bounce around and, as you pointed out, the juxtaposition of the vocals. I'd say that George's new style is just as good as his old screams, even if it's wildly different, but in my opinion, the song writing has deteriorated. The songs on Old Crows / Young Cardinals seem to lack the passion, and personal touch, that Crisis and the self-titled album had. However, this may be down to the fact that I've not started to read between the lines of the lyrics yet. I have to agree when you say that their worst is better than other bands' best, I just wish that they'd put more effort into the song writing. Hopefully they're not going to follow the path of other bands who enter the mainstream, such as In Flames.
On another note, I wonder if George is going to keep the new vocal style for the older Alexisonfire songs at this year's Eastpak Antidote Tour. It would be really interesting to see him singing Rough Hands in his recent vocal style. (I assume he changed vocal style not only to appeal to a greater audience, but to protect his throat. I'm sure he'd struggle to pull off the entire tour if he has to mix the two styles at every gig they play.) Ah well, I guess we'll find out soon enough.
-Brendan