So, let’s just set this up. I am going to review Alexisonfire’s latest album “Old Crows/Young Cardinals”. I will do it as a first-listen review; as in, I plan on typing as I’m listening to the album. Each song. Maybe you’ll listen to the album with me as I write this, so you get a feel of what I’m trying to project to you. Here we go.
1. Old Crows
It’s heavy. But in my opinion I think it’s a bit heavier than their other stuff. And George’s voice seems to be darker, or even more scratchier than usual. Dallas Green seems to be pretty much the same. It’s been pretty neat seeing what he’s done with his music career, with City & Colour and such. As I listen more, I am even more intrigued with the percussion. Being a drummer of 5 years myself, I can’t help but listen to the drums in every song I hear now.
2. Young Cardinals
So, here’s the debut single off of the new album. I recently watched them perform this song opening for the MMVAs in Toronto last weekend. I’d say they aren’t that good live, others have their opinions. But once again I hear the voice is scratchier for George. He seems to be a good screamer though. I rather enjoyed his screaming in Crisis. I gotta say that I’m not a fan of the repetition of “Ohhhh, Younnnngg Cardinals”.
3. Sons of Privilege
Ahh, it seems as though this has a hint of older Alexisonfire. I keep getting reminded of “Rough Hands” throughout this song. Weird enough, I see this as possibly being one of the songs that gets radio time; possibly the next single?
4. Born And Raised
Some more guitar riffs, I see? We seem to be getting all the parts of the band here: equal harmonic and screamo vocals (and backup vox?), awesome percussion, and some pretty interesting guitar chords. From Alexisonfire, it seems like I tend to hear more than the other instrument or people, but this song, in my opinion, seems to demonstrate equal parts all along. Everyone gets some spotlight.
5. No Rest
Wow, they never stop to amaze. I’ve always loved Alexisonfire for their ability to pull percussive patterns out of nowhere. Did not expect. That’s pretty much all I have to say for this song. Georges voice somewhat reminds of Davey from AFI, with his high squeal screams.
6. The Northern
It’s certainly hard writing a first-listen review. But yayy, a slower, not so jumpy song! I think it’s good to mellow it out a bit. You can only jump high. Ahah, the choir-ous repetition at one point was beautiful. What’s with the dead spot in the middle? I understand bands like to do that, but it sounded super-choppy.
7. Midnight Regulations
There’s people that will always say that each song is different in it’s own way. I believe that’s true, in a sense, but I also believe that every band puts a song in their album that sounds like another song. This song is it, IMO. “Midnight Regulations” has the exact same feel and drive as “Young Cardinals”, with it’s pumping beat, the “ooohhh” vocals, and the chanting chorus.
8. Emerald Street
I like this song.
9. Heading For The Sun
To be honest, I don’t like this song. Not one bit. I don’t like the depressing lyrics, I don’t like the repetition, sand for some reason the drums just big me.
10. Accept Crime
Also lovely.
11. Burial
Here we go… is this going to one of those drone songs, with the same repetitive rhythms throughout the entire track? Yes, it was.
12. Wayfarer Youth
Here we go, last song. It’s been interesting talking about the variations that we’ve heard throughout Old Crows/Young Cardinals. They’ve done a few new things with this album, but nonetheless I wasn’t terrifically impressed by it. Still very good iPod jammers.
Thanks for joining me as I walked through Alexionfires new album. If you were listening as you read, you may have been able to connect to the words. Otherwise, pfft.
My Rating: 
