Canadians come back stronger than ever (Old Crows / Young Cardinals - Alexisonfire)

Member Name: thrice15

Product:	Old Crows / Young Cardinals - Alexisonfire
Date:	03/07/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A large improvement from their previous album

Disadvantages: Some fans will think they have changed too much

The latest album from Alexisonfire appears to have received very mixed opinions from fans. Some love it, some hate it, but it all comes down to the idea of a band progressing. This has happened to many bands in the past; their old fans can't take on board the idea of their favourite band coming back with a new sound, while people that didn't previously enjoy the band now do.

First track on the album 'Old Crows' is quick to address the issue at hand. The line "We are not the kids we used to be, stop wishing for yesterday" is a direct warning to any old fans: we are not going to make the same album again and again. A new sound is already evident, and it one that displays the bands full vocal range more fully than previously. Wade MacNeil is handed the chorus, Dallas Green's typically silky voice provides much of the verse, with George Pettit's less abrasive vocals effectively complimenting the new sound. Pettit's really do add to the 'new' sound, giving much more clarity than they did previously.

'Young Cardinals' the first released track has been receiving some airplay recently, with the video featuring on television channels MTV2 and NME TV. The structure of the song reverts to the more standard Alexisonfire formula with Pettit taking the main vocal duties and Green providing an anthemic chorus. Even when they do it now, it sounds as good as it always has done, due to the band's ability to complete the transition from rough, edgy verses to sweet melodic choruses with ease. 'Sons of Privilege' has more a punk sound than much of their previous material, but again the chorus gives a pop edge to the song, with a use of dualed rough/smooth vocals.

'Old Crows/Young Cardinals' is clearly the sound of a band that have matured and decided the musical path which they have chosen to follow. Songs such as 'No Rest', 'Emerald Street' and 'Heading for the Sun' are clearly channelled in a way that they directly propel themselves from start to finish with no distractions in the middle to break up the flow. There are no unnecessary middle sections to the songs, they are just simply formed relying on the bands three vocal forces and their overall instrumentation focusing on the needs of the song as a whole.

There are slower moments on the album that fit perfectly well and show off the band's larger sound when they decide to slow things down. 'The Northern' is a great example of this, with the first half based mainly on Dallas Green's vocal lines. The second half of the song comes to life when Pettit is again introduced, as together the vocals work better than when they are used individually. Each member gives the required backing to the other and it creates a sound which other bands cannot achieve using the same process.

Final track 'Burial' is a beautiful ending to the album. An organ-led piece, sung by Green describes a burial in the snow and it really does create a vivid image of the scene that the song sets up. It is evenly haunting and beautiful at the same time.

Considering less than a year ago rumours were spreading that Alexisonfire were done as a band, 'Old Crows/Young Cardinals' sounds like a band far from finished. They have reinvented their sound brilliantly, still retaining some aspects of their old sound, but taking it to another level and in a different direction. Following on from their previously album 'Crisis', which was a bit of a disappointment, the band have found their form again and produced a really strong album.

Summary: Really good progression.