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Album Details
- Artist: Chevelle
- Album: Wonder What's Next
- Label: Sony/Epic
- Year of Release: 2002
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2007-03-30
RecommendI don't believe the trio of Loeffler brothers could have titled this record more perfectly. After an absolutely blitzing debut Point #1, all the adversity they went through which included but was not limited to; The bankruptcy of their label Squint Records, a plethora of 'Hey, there a Christian rock band', and of course the normal niceties that come along with a sibling rock band just trying to make a splash overshadowed by one of the most influential artists of all time, Tool. I felt this pain with them, as the street team company I was interning with at the time had me handing out cassette samplers, and hanging posters trying to get people out of their focus for drama, and just listen to the tones of these Chicagoans. So healing sometimes, it was frustrating to watch consumers of the music industry mistake these guys anyone but Chevelle. So after a mediocre fan base was built thanks to a small wave of singles attention from the title track and Mia, Chevelle picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and signed to the devil label, Sony/Epic. Wonder What's Next, cue the bandwagon fans.
So one thing is for sure, they had to stray from the Tool comparisons, they knew it, Sony knew it and so did everyone else, or they would always be the red headed step child. In result, they kept the strong beat bass, but made some modifications to the guitars focusing more on an edgy power slop soaked in guitar distortion and let lead vocalist Pete experiment more with a screaming notion. It worked on both accounts, as the album sold more than a million records on the wings of three strong radio singles.
Let's get the obvious out of the way...Just after the record released, it seemed they were headed down the same unnoticed world of ignored rock, then The Red hit the video and radio stations, and Chevelle hasn't been the same since. The video, featuring Pete reciting the lyrics at an N/A or AA meeting drew a crowd of Linkin Park, Staind, Deftones, and Korn fans. The song itself, though no where near the song writing talents of those in the previous release, still had a raw energy and anger that people wanted to hear. Tired of hearing cries of bleeding hearts fans, immediately latched onto these lyrics. "They say freak, When you're singled out, The red, well it filters through." It was passion in which the lyrics belted out of Pete that grabbed those listening. That's all it took...Chevelle was pop culture born...
From there, Chevelle would become one of the most overplayed radio acts in 2004. Track three Send The Pain Below became a song for those neo-wanna be Snoboarders. More like a ballad with courage, well thought out lyrics, and a slick produced sound, I guess I just got sick of hearing this on the radio. Minus the deep, raging bridge that has Pete ripping "I can't feel my chest,Need more, drop down-Closing in. I CANT FEEL MY CHEST, DROP DOWN". Don't get me wrong, just like every other slow track here, Chevelle manages to wage an all out explosive energy in the end, this was not the Chevelle I was promoting with a clear conscience five years ago. I was a bit irked that I waited all this time for these guys to become a cliche with the weaker songs.
More than anything, so many tracks on this album deserved radio play. An Evening With El-Diablo was a strong top three track for me here. Vocal harmonies that played right along with their newer and simplistic constant guitar slop, still made for an entertaining vein popping karaoke moment for me while I was hiding and screaming along.
Track one Family System, though just as simplistic as the other stuff on the radio, had a mere extra effort that only those who had waited half a decade for this release could understand. No it wasn't about the lyrics, this track just started the record off right. Ballsy guitar harmonics that would put Creed to shame, hymned vocal bridges, and an explosive outro that brought the hairs on my neck to attention.
While track three, Comfortable Liar, was a tamed attempt at best, the stop and start format of each verse, chorus, verse was bridged by a nice melody and vocal harmony. Towards the end, Loeffler displays his new vocal boundaries with rip roaring scream that does manage to save the energy growing on the disc so far.
The title track, though once again, very elementary in guitar chords, had a daring tempo and energy. The lyrics though, were almost like trying to fit a cube in a square spot. No matter how many times I listen to this track, they seem so out of rhythm. That is until the repetitive outro rips through. "We play the blaming game, Yes I mind, its not your turn. We play the blaming game, Yes I mind, its not your turn." This was another part of the record where Pete displayed his newfound attempt at metalcore vocals, and while they seemed uncomfortable, they were unique and entertaining.
Next up is Don't Fake This, which still to this day I can't figure out if I love to hate, or hate to love. A sick tempo, and wonderful bridging vocals that showcase Pete at his best. Inside, we was negative. This place, once more was underground. So look and connect, we're refusing to rust. Healing has to begin, in the past". Not too long after the nasty, under achieving, sloppy mess of a chorus and instrumental ending just wrecks the entire song and leaves me with a bad taste. I just wish they had spent a little more time developing the chorus, and this would have been a top track.
Instead, Forfeit takes my suggest-a-track with its enticing intro tempo and beat. The lyrics repetitive, but antagonistic, the distortion so nicely chosen for certain moments in the song drop out at just the right time. Even more so, the best combination of lyrics and vocal strumming of the album pop up. "Medicated, could do some good, Or find a way to relate, Or just shut up." The rest of the song, of course disappoints with just filler like its predecessors.
Since we've already established all there is to know about the generic Aggro-Rock waves that Wonder What's Next is and Grab Thy Hand follows right along, lets get to the final track. Somewhere around the break of the 21st century, it became a predictable trait of bands like Chevelle to rock all album long, then the last track, just stop throw away the distortion and pick up the good ole acoustic guitar. Chevelle followed suit with One Lonely Visitor. Lyrically very beautiful, and nicely strung, I just don't see how this track fits the album, ironically placed or not. While Pete, does show an enormous ability for an acoustic setting, I think I'll leave the research of this echoey fader to you...
3.5 stars rounded down for its generic PowerSlop
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on 2007-07-28 blackxdan Said:
Back when this album first came out, i was absolutely in love with it. While not in love with it anymore, i still take a listen to a select few tracks now and again. If you listen to the hits off of this album, you'll easily see why they are hits. Chevelle certainly gives a hard rock feel with this album, and some of the songs are just plain beautiful. The Red is a perfect example of one of the beautiful songs. While they are mainstream rock, Chevelle does do a good job with this release.
Rating: 7/10
