Recently I have taken up a liking to an alternative rock band called The Classic Crime. So when I saw that they released a new album, I jumped at the opportunity to check it out. Their first album Albatross, was a mediocre rock album with a few good songs. So I didn't get my hopes up to high when the new one was released. Fortunately though I was mistaken, since in their sophomore album Matt's vocals are much more matured, they focused their attention more on creating a rock album, and used much deeper lyrics than their first album was.The End
So when I got the album, I saw that the first song was not only about a minute and a half long, but it also had the ironic title of being called "The End", so I figured it must be one of those introductions that many albums have where it's simply instruments playing, much like a band might practice before a show. I was surprised however to find that this one had lyrics, and a meaning to it. The melody is very dark and almost scary to listen to. I can't figure out an accurate meaning to it, but I can say that the lyrics are also very dark. Over all it's a very odd song, especially for one that opens an album, I didn't particularly care for it, but I'm not going to let an undeveloped intro ruin the rating of the rest of the album. Rating-4/5
Just a Man
And what a surprise it was to go from a depressing, slow, dark song, to an upbeat and fast song. This is by far my favorite Classic Crime song due to its message, vocals, and melody. The melody is very fast, with an interesting sounding introduction that sets up perfectly for the lyrics. The meaning is about how today's culture shoves beauty, money, and products down peoples throats, and if you're not a specific weight or own certain products, then you're nobody in this world. One thing I liked was the perspective that the song was written, which is that of a businessman or CEO apologizing to the people and saying "I once held the key but now I have nothing You are so naive, I'm sorry for leading you along I'm just a man" he then goes on to say that he is not the person you should turn to, that "I'm not your saint, I'm not your savior" and that the real savior here is God, and no earthly thing will satisfy you. The mood, ironically, is almost that of happiness, which leaves me with some questions about the true meaning behind the song. Rating-5/5
Grave Digging
Now how wouldn't like a song that involves digging a grave? Well unfortunately the grave he's talking about in this song is his own. The melody is very hard rock sounding. With rough choruses and some shouting it truly does set a perfect mood. The lyrics at first sound rather strange, but that may be because they have a lot of symbolism. But if you look closely it's clear the song is about a man contemplating suicide, this is evident in lines like "I've been sitting in the suicide lane on Highway 99 Looking for a sign in the headlights" and "I've been to war with my mind But things will be different this time I won't be putting up a fight". And in fact almost every line in the song has some reference to suicide. The thing I find most interesting though is that you never really find out what the person decided to do, and the song ends abruptly with strange cheering sounds. The mood is once again hard to figure out, so if anyone has any ideas about it, let me know. Rating-4/5
The Way That You Are
Here's one of those songs that has a good meaning and good lyrics, but lacks much else. The melody is good, rock sounding in most parts, but doesn't have much to it that would make you remember it. The meaning however is very inspiring. The first verse talks about a boy that doesn't talk much, and has "friends" that aren't very good influences. It's the second verse though that caught my attention, this one is about a girl that was abused but doesn't talk about it, and gives herself away to find the love she wants, even though God already loves her and she doesn't need a boy to fill that part in her heart. I'm not sure what it is about The Classic Crime, but it seems like that don't find mood to be an important part, because this is yet another song that I can't figure out the mood. Rating-4/5
5805
This is one of those songs that just disappoints everyone. It's not that it's a bad song, I just feel it could have been composed much better than it was. The melody was the thing that turned me off this time. It was very unorganized and confusing with different sounds playing out of sync and at different times. The lyrics are still very good though, expressing how Matt wishes to go back to his teenage and college years and live life like it was back then, and hoping that one day he will be able to have the same joyful feeling he had then. There is however evidence of a mood in this song luckily, but it's very simple, just a very content and happy mood. Rating-3/5
Salt In the Snow
The Classic Crime is sometimes regarded as being a Christian band, but I don't find this to be true since not even all of their members are Christians, however this song has very apparent themes about God in it. The melody starts out very slow and smooth and comforting, and in the end turns into more of a rock sound with some raised vocals at the end, it reminds me very much of a more rock version of a Chris Tomlin or David Crowder Band song. In the song he talks about how he wants "shelter from the storm" and is asking God "are you listening?", he then sings about how he tried to go through life without God and do everything by himself, but in the end realizes that he cannot do this alone. The mood of the song is very uplifting, and hopeful, which is a theme not very common in many of the songs so far on the album. Rating-4/5
Abracadavers
When I first heard this song, I did not like it at all, but after a couple times listening to it, it started to grow on me, and it might not be my favorite song, but still not bad. The song starts out with very eerie whispering noises, which then turns into Matt's very loud, distinct voice. The overall melody is that of hard rock, with a little bit of an electronic sound to it. The meaning is hard to depict since the message is hidden in symbolism. But if you're a person like me, lyrical content about muscles, tendons, and organs must have some sort of meaning behind it. So when I dug deeper I soon saw it was really a song about how even though some of us are smarter, or richer, or more athletic than others, we are all human in the end and we all die. But also that some of us go through life and ignore how we are a design of God. This is seen in the line: "It seems we're beautifully made and designed. But it's a shame we can be so blind." The song reminds me of being in some sort of autopsy room after a famous person has died and they want to find the cause of death (It's apparent that the band agrees with me on that since the music video is just that) and this sets a perfect mood for the song, which is that of a dark and almost depressing realization that everyone dies in the end. Rating-3.5/5
R&R
Well every band has one, and The Classic Crime is no exception to the rule, that every band has at least one poor quality song. R&R's melody is that of annoyance and repetitiveness. And most slow songs, even though they may not have a perfect melody or mood set, they typically speaking have good lyrics at least, but R&R's lyrics are confusing, and seem very jumbled with no apparent theme or symbolism present. The mood is also missing in this song, but that should be to no surprise for a song that lacks both a beat and words. This was by far the worst song on the album. Rating 2/5
God and Drugs
I was never a fan of songs comparing God to a drug, since well, drugs are typically viewed as bad things to be addicted, not God. The song itself has also failed to impress me, and doesn't sound that much different from R&R. The melody starts out slow, but slowly builds up, and at its peak you can clearly hear Matt's vocals shout the chorus of the song. The meaning behind the song is that no matter how much you may not want God to be in your life, he is always there, and that He will always act on you, whether you want to believe it or not. The mood is yet again, non-existent. Rating-3/5
Medisin
Medisin is still, another song that sounds just like R&R or God and Drugs. Except this song is, in my opinion, the worst of the three, and the worst song on the album. The melody is very boring, and slow and does not have much substance to it. The meaning is almost exactly that of God and Drugs. And as for the melody, it should be as to no surprise to you when I say there isn't one. Rating-2.5
The Ascent
Well, I do not know if the band had this in mind, but The Ascent sounds like the beginning of another album, since this is yet another instrumental song, only this time they did it perfectly. As strange as it might sound, this is actually one of my favorite songs on the album. This is because it has great composer to it, a melody that slowly, and gracefully climbs from a simple soft sounding guitar, to adding various instruments and beats, and in the end truly getting a powerful emotional build up by the end. I do not feel the has any meaning to it, since well, there is no lyrics. However, I do think the mood describes in its own way, what the meaning behind the song is, and this something that's open for interpretation, and that I cannot describe what the mood is, since it is something that you must figure out for yourself. Rating-5/5
*The reason for why I thought The Ascent sounds like the intro to a new album, is because it marks the beginning of four top grade songs, and after three songs like R&R, God and Drugs, and Medisin, I had very little hope for the rest of the album, but luckily I was surprised.*
Sing
Well like I have stated above, this marks the beginning of a four song dynasty of excellent songs that fill my requirements for all three "M's". Sing's melody starts out with heavy drum and guitar tones, and with echoing vocals that match the beat perfectly, there couldn't be much more I would ask out of the song. The meaning is another God related one, except this time he talks about "singing" to God, and how God will always hear him. This song also has one of my favorite verses, at least in terms of verses that talk about God, "My life's a painting I've done blind With each brushstroke you'll watch me blur every solid line Over this canvas I have stood with no one left beside me no one to decide if it's good". The mood of the song is that of hopefulness and fulfillment, knowing you found the thing that fills that empty part in your heart. Rating-5/5
Everything
If you recall, I mentioned before that I do not believe The Classic Crime is a Christian band, well this song is a perfect example of why. When I first heard this song I was very confused by it, but after a while I saw the meaning behind it, and even though I have nothing against songs dedicated to your wife or partner, I do not feel they belong on a "Christian" album, especially when they mention the physical aspects of that person. So I will not mark the band down for having a a very passionate song about the person that Matt loves the most in this world. The song itself is my favorite on the album, because melody has an excellent combination of guitar, drums, and vocals, and really sets up the perfect mood for it. The meaning is that of Matt missing his wife when he is on long trips with the band, and wanting to "Feel her soft skin" and that he can not wait till he sees her since he misses seeing her smile and feeling her kiss. The melody is very optimistic, and is one of those songs that's impossible to sing without having a smile on your face while doing it. So even though I'm not a big fan of soft and sweet love songs, this is definitely a classic. Rating-5/5
Closer Than We Think
The dynasty continues with Closer Than We Think, a soft toned, yet energetic song that speaks of being free from the world around you, and that you only need God in your life, and that "Your not alone", and that you can do anything you want when you put your heart into it. Rating-4.5/5
The Beginning (A Simple Seed)
Well, much like the opening song, the last song title has some irony too it, and this already gives me points in my book for creativeness. The melody of the song follows a common theme among last songs for albums, very slow at first, very loud and rock sounding in the end. The lyrics sound much like a continuation to Everything only I feel this song should have been first, because this song talks about the emotional and personal things he likes about his wife, not just the physical. The song doesn't have much of a mood too it, since I feel that the artist wants you to focus on the lyrics and think about the person you love most at the same time, and of course remember God in all of this, so I think in a way, this song wraps up everything that the album was about into one final farewell. Rating-5/5
Conclusion
Well I've managed to finish my second review, but the question still remains, should you buy The Silver Cord? Well it depends, if you enjoyed The Classic Crimes first album, you should love this one since it's simply a build up of more mature vocals, lyrics, and organization. If you've never heard of this band, than I feel you should at least check it out, but it is not an essential part of your CD collection. Overall Rating-4/5
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