Album Review: Chevelle – Sci-Fi Crimes

Chevelle
Sci-Fi Crimes

Release Date: August 31, 2009
Record Label: Epic Records

Review:
Sci-Fi Crimes is the fifth studio album from rock band Chevelle.  After ten years, Chevelle could have easily remained in their comfort zone to produce the same type of album as their previous effort, 2007′s Vena Sera.  Instead they’ve put together something slightly different… equally solid but more musically ambitious.

The album opens with the drum hard-driving “Sleep Apnea” then flows into a number of different audio textures; from the groove and haunting backing vocals in “Mexican Sun” to the heavy acoustic “Highland’s Apparition” followed by the mosh-worthy “Roswell’s Spell”.

All of the songs on Sci-Fi Crimes are quite good, but one of the tracks that stands out is “Shameful Metaphors.”  The cadence of Pete Loeffler’s vocals while singing a chorus of “My life made no sound” is very affecting, and the dark imagery makes for interesting word play.

The album closes strong with “This Circus”, another one of the better tracks on the album.  Chevelle has already made their mark as a band that can consistently put out solid rock albums.  With Sci-Fi Crimes they are re-establishing themselves as a band who sets the bar for what a great rock album should sound like.

Track Listing:

1. “Sleep Apnea”
2. “Mexican Sun”
3. “Shameful Metaphors”
4. “Jars”
5. “Fell into Your Shoes”
6. “Letter From A Thief”
7. “Highland’s Apparition”
8. “Roswell’s Spell”
9. “Interlewd”
10. “A New Momentum”
11. “This Circus”

Links:
http://www.chevelleinc.com/
http://www.myspace.com/chevelle