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Hats Off To The Bull
Sony Music
Rating: 7.5/10
Chevelle, a three piece from Grayslake Illinois, have released "Hats Off To The Bull" in December of 2011. The last (and first) time I heard about these guys was when they released the very excellent "Wonder What's Next" in 2002 with their breakout single "The Red". I was Music Director for my college radio station around that time and dropped a few Chevelle cuts for all who could receive the powerful 10 watt transmission. So back then, I listened to tons of music, added new cuts weekly to keep the playlist fresh and eventually lost track of this band. Welcome back to the rotation Chevelle!
Upon hearing the lead single "Face To The Floor", which happens to be the first track, I felt compelled to venture deeper into this LP. This might come off a bit weird, but it was nice to heard a harder edged band that wasn't "annoying". I'm not saying that Chevelle is breaking new ground in the alternative metal game. They've been together for over 12 years (17 if you include their earlier incarnation) so it looks like they've got their shit together. That's what it really comes down to: Chevelle is playing a style of music that they dig and they've found their voice. It comes off very genuine and not forced. To any bands that come off tired and counterfeit, you're annoying.
What kept me hooked on "Hats Off" were the subtle similarities with prog metalers Tool. Before every Tool fan freaks out, I'm not stating that Chevelle are "Tool Jr.". There are some "borrowed" similarities that do not cheapen the Chevelle brand. Ex 1. Bass Rules: The bass is a huge element of their sound as evident in the chorus for "The Meddler". Beautifully fuzzy, distorted bass. Nothing new here, but when it's done well it rocks. Ex 2. Maynardly Interpolation: Lead vocalist Pete Loeffler isn't flashy. No exaggerated vibrato. No extraness. This is the main reason why he's been compared to James Keenan in the past. Like Tool's lead singer, Loeffler belts out his vocals with great accuracy and stays in tune. He found his comfort zone which is the catalyst for any band to find success...that's were the comparison starts and ends for me.
Hats Off To The Bull is a collection of mini-epic tracks packaged in a radio friendly format. It feels like the majority of these songs could be stretched out to 7 or 10 minutes with ease. Chevelle have delivered a fantastic ensemble of songs (mostly heavy with a few slower tunes) that have rebooted my interest in guitar driven modern rock. Always melodic with catchy hooks, Chevelle brings back what I loved most from 90s alternative: well written and melodic music disguised as balls out rock.
P&B Approved Cuts:
Revenge
Hats Off To The Bull
The Meddler
Same Old Trip
-Paqman
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