CHIODOS „All's Well That Ends Well”

Music: Post-Hardcore/Screamo
Country: USA
Website: http://www.chiodos.net
Duration: 42.15


Cool Songs: All Nereids Beware, The Words “Best Friend” Become Redefined, There's No Penguins In Alaska, No Hardcore Dancing In the Living Room.

This isn’t exactly what I expected from the Equal Vision camp. Not that Chiodos (formerly the Chiodos Bros.) don’t adhere to the well worn screamo/hardcore template of their label’s peers, its just that Chiodos refuse to walk the path marked ‘commercial popularity’. For that fact alone, this sophomore effort immediately becomes a tad more interesting.

The immediate impact of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ is centred on the fabulous packaging and presentation that has been afforded to it by Equal Vision. With its stark, almost mystical cover art and equally freaked out graphics with its five page gatefold booklet (not to mention the cardboard slipcase it arrives in), this certainly looks good and most definitely hints of something a little different within. Judging by the mixed bag of influences than have been melded together on this disc, clearly Chiodos are out to provide a bit more variation than your regular every day screamo/hardcore outfit. As far as meeting that goal, ‘All’s Well…’ scores full points. Unfortunately, as a collection of songs it appears than maybe Chiodos have tried just a little too hard.

The boundless energy that is captured via the smooth Mark Hudson production gives ‘All’s Well..’ the necessary bedrock to carry their compositions. It is one of the true highlights of this album. Yet, there is a certain air of indifference to much of Chiodos song writing. Structurally the whole thing is a tad messy, with only the obligatory jagged riffs of Pat McManaman and Jason Hale seemingly holding it together. Doubtless, these guys are impressive musicians and there’s a ton of ideas floating among the hodge podge of superfluous add ons, but in the end, despite a couple of streamlined tunes (‘The Words’ and ‘There’s No penguins in Alaska’), much of the album hints of a band that is not quite sure which direction they wish to go. Granted, Chiodos have been able to avoid any cliché ridden screamo affair here, hell you’ll find hardly anything that resembles a typical verse-chorus-verse song structure. Still, with the band ducking and weaving between angular riffs one moment, subdued piano flourishes the next, strange keyboard interludes, electronic beats and a conglomeration of hybrid emo/punk meets indie rock aesthetics, it’s hard for the listener to really make any sense of it. For all of its intricate playfulness, nothing actually sticks in the memory. Furthermore, the vocal approach of frontman Craig Owen makes things even more challenging. The guy has a set of pipes and he is no doubt the centrepiece of this band, but clearly his incessant high register ‘clean/emo’ sections tend to grate on the nerves after a while. Even for fans of screamo/emo, Owen’s performance takes a little getting used too.

I like what Chiodos have attempted to put together here with ‘All’s Well…’ – it’s actually got a slightly more refined Mars Volta feel about it. This is a good thing. But it only works by half and doesn’t have the song writing strength to carry their ideas through. It’s just way too hit & miss. And what the hell is it with those crazy song titles? ‘All’s Well..’ is more about showing off this bands potential rather than anything that resembles killer tunes. Here’s hoping that last part becomes reality on their next effort.

note: 7/10

Tracklist

1. Prelude
2. All Nereids Beware
3. One Day Women Will All Become Monsters
4. Expired In Goreville
5. Baby, You Wouldn't Last A Minute On The Creek
6. The Words “Best Friend” Become Redefined
7. Interlude Pt. 1
8. There's No Penguins In Alaska
9. Interlude Pt. 2
10. We're Gonna Have Us A Champagne Jam
11. No Hardcore Dancing In the Living Room
12. Who's Sandie Jenkins
13. To Trixie And Reptile, Thanks For Everything