New Release Monday: Old Crows / Young Cardinals (Review: Dan)

I've been listening to this album all day now, and feel like I'm in a good position to review it accurately.

This album is very different to previous albums from Alexisonfire. As their 4th studio release, you can see the progression they've made from album to album, and it's actually fairly impressive. As far as talent goes, they've progressed a lot.

The album starts with the first of two title tracks 'Old Crows'. From the opening few notes it sounds like a far more mature band than what we hear from album 'Alexisonfire'. George Pettit has developed a new vocal style, which sounds a bit unusual. It's quite gravelly, and I'm not too sure I like it as much as the screaming he puts down on tracks like 'Accidents' from the album 'Watch Out!'. Vocals from Dallas Green are on top form, and they are very good throughout the album.

It's no coincidence that my favourite tracks on the album are the ones where Dallas provides more vocal input. Songs like 'No Rest' don't feature much of his singing, and is one of my least favourite on the record.

Musically, I think OC/YC is very good. The drumming from Jordan Hastings is very good, and compliments the guitar of Wade MacNeil really well. All of the guitar parts are really impressive on the album, and I think that due to the enormous increase in quality that OC/YC brings compared to their last album Crisis could see the band finding a lot of mainstream success.

I think that there is also a notable difference in Dallas' vocal contribution, as his style of singing appears to have changed. After releasing 'Bring me your love' for his solo side project City & Colour he appears to be singing in a far more 'folk' style. This is especially noticable in the song Born and Raised, which I'm fairly certain must be a song he wrote for a new City & Colour album.

All in all I think the album is good, but let down by George Pettit's unusual new vocal style. The Northern is good, as George shows that he hasn't forgotten how he used to 'sing'. But then around halfway through there is a switch and he returns to his new methods, if only briefly. Old Crows/Young Cardinals showcases massive progression from past releases, and as far as their ability goes I think they've produced an outstanding album.

I think there is a lot of promise from Alexisonfire to continue developing as musicians, and they remain the pioneering band of their respective genre.

4/5

Personal Highlights:
[3]Sons of Priviledge
[4]Born and Raised
[6]The Northern
[11]Burial

Dan