(Dine Alone/Shock)

Canada’s greatest post-hardcore band tweaks formula, reaps rewards.

From the onset of their career, Alexisonfire have always marched to the beat of a different drum. The eclectic songwriting style found on their self-titled debut and ethereal follow-up Watch Out! all but disappeared by the time 2006’s Crisis was released upon the world. Exploring more rock & roll influences and the vocal chemistry between vocalist George Petit and guitarists Wade MacNeil and Dallas Green, Crisis was a bold step forward and a successful one at that. Old Crows/Young Cardinals comes on the back of Green’s successful second album as City & Colour, and MacNeil’s debut project Black Lungs. While this may thwart the creative chemistry of lesser bands, it has in fact galvanised Alexisonfire, a fact none more evident than on Old Crows/Young Cardinals – a continuation upon the style of Crisis and their third record co-produced with Julius Butty. The production sheen is gritty and heightens the raw rock elements of Alexisonfire’s sound, never shown better than on the two title tracks; Old Crows being a stomping, syncopated call to arms, Young Cardinals producing a sweeping chorus that even Bono would consider with awe. Petit’s screams have evolved into a raspy melodic shout, becoming a perfect counterpoint to Green’s impeccable vocals in the verses of anthemic Midnight Regulations. The Northern is a haunting, majestic slab of everything that makes Alexisonfire so unique amongst a genre of tag-alongs. Lyrically, the album is far-reaching, from comments on the global recession to the religious repression contained within Accept Crime, its chorus of “there’s no police between two beating hearts” proving itself to be both powerful and endearing. Across the board it may not prove to be Alexisonfire’s greatest work, but it does however show that they are not resting on their laurels, and that through continually pushing themselves they are creating a resounding catalogue of music.

****

LINDSEY CUTHBERTSON

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*