Search - Alexisonfire :: Crisis

The Only Band Ever

Matt Wheeler | Swainsboro, GA | 04/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You may say that the title of my review is a statement that takes huge shoes to fill (it's actually a reference to their website, www.theonlybandever.com), but I believe that Alexisonfire has large enough feet to fill those shoes.



Hailing from our northern neighbor, Canada, the likes of George, Dallas, Wade, Chris, and Jordan deliver some of the best, if not the best, post-hardcore ever heard by human ears. George's chaotic screams, along with Dallas' beautiful melodic contrast and Wade's frequent punk-like vocals make the best combination of vocals the overpopulated genre has to offer. All backed up by awesome, articulate hardcore instrumentals.



Now, on to the main subject of the review. Crisis is an excellent album. Excellent lyrics, vocals, instrumentals, everything. The opening track, Drunks, Lovers, Sinners, and Saints is a full blown metalcore assault at it's beginning, but turns into a more melodic, punk track later into the song. The album then goes to This Could Be Anywhere In the World (my personal favorite) which showcases Dallas Green's unbelievable talent. The album then follows suit with perfect order tracks Mailbox Arson and Boiled Frogs, followed by the great mosh worthy melodic hardcore piece, We Are the Sound. The album then suddenly changes tempo with Wade on vocals in the song You Burn First, which sounds a lot like a Trent Reznor produced track. However, the album brings the tempo back up to speed with We Are the End, which has an awesome break down, Crisis with an awesome sing-a-long worthy "1-9-7-7" chant, Keep It On Wax, an actually pretty mean song about the band's former drummer, To A Friend which ends with a harmonous acapella provided by Dallas, and finally Rough Hands, which I would consider Alexisonfire's ballad about lost love. This song features Dallas at his finest with George providing the contrasting, but rather soft, screams.



Basically this is the Canadian post-hardcore outfit at their finest. I have been a fan of this band for a while now, and have always loved the overall fresh sound they provide to the aging genre. I recently saw the band in concert and was equally amazed with the bands live show. I actually met Wade and Chris, and I do have to say that they are two genuine, awesome guys. Alexisonfire is anything, and everything a person could ask for in a post-hardcore band and I highly recommend Crisis. I also recommend the band's self-titled debut and Watch Out!. Both are excellent albums as well. But for people who have never heard Alexisonfire, I recommend Crisis as a great way to start. I have had the album for months and still listen to it frequently. A++"

Really Good Band

Bryant Webb | raleigh, nc | 04/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I would call myself a pretty avid rock music fan and this is, in my opinion, one of the better bands out there. I have never been so much into what I would call death metal, which is what I call it when the lead singer does nothing but yell nonsense into the microphone leaving everyone thinking to themselves...."what the hell is this guy saying??" Much like beer, I have acquired somewhat of a taste for the "lead" singer of this band (who does his fair share of yelling) although I do personally think the band would probably be better off without him. The unique thing about this band though is that they really have 3 singers. Dallas Green, who is vocalist/guitarist for the band, is really the back bone of this band. Without trying to sound cheesy, this guy radiates talent. On top of that he honestly is one of the best male vocalists I have ever heard. That in part makes the band unique because you have one guy singing/yelling like he is pissed off with the world and this other guy comes right behind him with this harmonizing voice almost like taking a sip of Red Bull and the chasing it with a sip of wine. If you feel you do not like the sound of Alexisonfire I would highly suggest you check out Dallas Green's solo project, City and Colour, if you are more into a raw acoustic guitar with great vocals. Ok, I have made this review entirely too long, but bottom line is if you are a rock fan I think you will enjoy this cd. For some it may take a few listens for it to catch on, but if you are anything like me it will and at this point it has not left my cd player since I bought it."