Album Details

• Artist: Chevelle
• Album: Sci-Fi Crimes
• Label: Sony/Epic
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2009-12-11

Still as energetic as ever, Chevelle brings us Sci-Fi Crimes. What's most difficult about reviewing these guys is picking apart the straws. The sound is still mood driven and explosive. Exhibit A, "Sleep Apnea" which has a pounding bass section and a showcasing of Pete's (lead) range. "Shameful Metaphors" really sticks out here, but I've got no descriptive for this track. It does seem as though Dean Bernardini (bass) has gelled in nicely. Of course there's the lead single "Jars", but I pray you haven't been overwhelmed with its radio airplay as well. I think a track or two may stay on the hard drive. The meat portion of the disc, "Fell Into Your Shoes" "Letter From A Thief" and "Highlands Apparition" all seem more personalized.

I know some jaws may drop, but I lost a taste for Chevelle somewhere in between an un-healthy addiction to Wonder Whats Next and the radio garbage of This Type Of Thinking... and thereafter. Several full spins in, still not sucked back to this sound. Not cause Chevelle has changed for good or ill. But because my preferences and desires in music have changed. Does Chevelle make a good album of rock songs with Sci-Fi Crimes?  Yes...But...

Will they ever revisit their skeletal sound in the Point #1 days? Sorry to report, Radio Rock with a shine here my friends.  Some tracks have more nacheral rhythms and less exploding distortion. As usual, song structures here are professional but predictable. Truth? This is the first Chevelle release I've listened to in it's entirety, in a while.  Though these guys are what I might consider a guilty pleasure on the radio - the only model 2005 vehicle with stock cassette deck :D - I've gotta pass on this record personally.  Two and a half stars rounded up for their longevity and professional song writing. 

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2009-09-02 odetorj26 Said:

This album incorporates elements from all of their previous albums, including indie release 'Point #1'. At times I felt I was listening to a better version of it.
I am glad they went back to a more raw sound on this album. While 'Vena Sera' was a great album in my opinion, it was almost over produced for a Chevelle album. This one still has mighty sounding guitars but there is a rawness to the tone similar to 'This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In'. I like that the vocals sounded more natural on this album as well.
I didn't understand the point of 'Interlewd'. Pointless track to me, and consequently my least favorite 'track (if you want to call it that)' on the album. Also the beginning of 'This Circus' just sounded wrong to me. The loud vocals come in at the beginning, and I guess I was just expecting big guitars to match and it wasn't there. The song definetly got better as it progressed. I love every other song on the album too, and I would say my favorite is 'Roswell's Spell'. Especially after the great, yet simple acoustic track 'Highland's Apparition', 'Roswell' just comes in rockin' and sounding that much mightier from the get go.
I highly recommend this album,especially for the hardcore Chevelle fan.
Rating: 9/10

on 2009-08-28 X_NaStY Said:

I've given this disc a couple spins and I believe its just an OK release. As Bradical stated there are a few songs that are pretty good. It does seem a bit like they're kind've just rehashing their last few albums. It just sounds like more of the same stuff they've been putting out, it doesn't really stretch any boundaries. I, for one, happen to like their sound a pretty good deal, so its not a terrible album by any means.
Rating: 7/10

Review:

on 2009-08-27 Bradical216 Said:

I have read a few reviews on this album so far and I have to say, either they got a diffrent album than I did or they hate music one of the two. (not literally) Let me start out by sayig that I am a huge Chevelle fan always have been, always will be. This is not a perfect album because of one song that doesnt seem to fit it's the song "Fell Into You're Shoes". But this album does hold the best Chevelle song of all time on it. "Letters From A Thief." This song is absolutly amazing in every possible way. But there is way more to the album than that monster of a song. "This Circus" "Sleep Apnea" "Mexican Sun" "Roswells Spell" and the could be smash single "A New Momentem." Chevelle has released arguably the best album of their career. This is proabably going to be called a biast review, and you are right. I love Chevelle. But with the evergrowing maturity and heart felt lyrics and driving guitar riffs, this album should serve as a must have for any Chevelle fan or any fan of great music.
Rating: 9/10