Customer Reviews

Alexisonfire

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Popularity of the emo/screamo punk sub-culture is growing, and now I understand why. Blazing instrumentals and harsh vocals dominate the debut album from Alexisonfire. The songs flow seamlessly into each other, and your left feeling like you've just staggered from a live show. The energy on the album is almost overwhelming. If hardcore screamo is your style, you can't go wrong. Alternatively, if you value your ability to hear, then you may want to stick to something lighter, like Saves the Day.

I've always been a fan of the metalcore, hardcore, emo, and screamo genres. I listen to bands like Thrice, Thursday, My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria...bands that have something different to offer and something more to say. And when I bought this album, I got that and more. This has to be one of the best albums I've purchased to date. The combination of fast-paced yet not too chaotic drums, the hardcore/metal yet extremely melodic guitaring, George's screaming and Dallas' vocals make for one of the best albums since the turn of the century.

1. 44. Calibur Love Letter (10/10) - A great way to start off the album. The emotion in this song is unprecidented, and makes for a great song.

2. Counterparts and Number Them (10/10) - Great follow-up track. The emotions change completely, this song is more melodic than the last, as well as more chaotic. Great song

3. Adella (10/10) - Another fantastic song, and probably the best song out of the first three tracks. Has a lot to offer, and it's really an underrated song.

4. A Dagger Through the Heart of St. Angeles (11/10) - Amazingly crafted. They are able to combine chaotic, unorganized, Converge-style chords with some of the best guitaring/soloing on the album in a matter of two seconds.

5. Polaroids and Polar Bears (11/10) - One of the best songs on the album. With some awfully peculiar lyrics and fantastic guitaring that varies from hard to softer makes a great song.

6. Waterwings (and Other Pool Side Fashion Faux Pas) (10/10) - Similar song structure to "Counterparts and Number Them." Not the best song yet unforgettable. Only song I heard before purchasing this album, an awesome track.

7. Where No One Knows (15/10) - My favorite song by far. It's just perfect...i cant even describe this song.

8. The Kennedy Curse (9/10) - Great track, many people seem to like it a lot more than I do. I love this song, don't get me wrong, and it certainly isn't overrated, but not my favorite.

9. Jubella (9/10) - Again, same thing as "The Kennedy Curse." Underrated though, nobody gives this track ANY recognition.

10. Little Girls Pointing and Laughing (10/10) - Different compared to the rest of the album, at least for the first minute or so before George belts out his amazing screaming. Fantastic track.

11. Pulmonary Archery (11/10) - Second-favorite song on the record. Beautifully crafted, a lot of variation in the vocals; first it goes to George screaming his guts out then to some of Dallas' most awesome vocal parts. Fantastic song, definitely single-worthy.

I bought this CD after "Watch Out!" so I probably had a different impression of Alexisonfire than other/most fans. "Watch Out!" was my favorite album when I bought it, but this is 10 times better. Amazing record, don't miss this. You should be shot if you don't own it.

The second I listened to this album I was hooked. Its apparent immediately these guys have awesome energy from beginning to end of the cd. alot of people will say "there not original, blah blah blah" But just because they sound similar to other groups does not mean this band is not original, with that mindset, everything has been done in the music industry.

"maybe music isnt dead, maybe we just forgot what it sounded like"

Alexisonfire (pronounced Alexis On Fire) released this album in Canada on October 29, 2002 on Emi Records. It was then released in the United Stats on September 9, 2003 on Equal Vision Records with a bonus video for "Pulmonary Archery", which hit number one on Canada Much Music's Powershift Top 30, beating out such horrible acts as Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, and Eminem. The cover of the album shows a school girl with a knife in her hand facing another school girl in the background. There was a small, black, round sticker on the shrinkwrap that covered the knife. It had an excerpt from a review of the album. There are more pictures of the schoolgirls fighting throughout the inside of the album. While there are many bands that much like Alexisonfire, I think that they are one of the best in their genre. Screamocore shall we call it? Vocalist George Logan has an intense scream and is backed by the melody of guitarist Dallas Green. However, the lyrics that come with the album and on the band's official site only have what Logan says. I suppose the think you can figure out what Green says yourself since it's just singing but it's challenging at times.

The album starts off with the explosive "44. Caliber Love Letter", my favorte song by the band. It has a two minute musical intro before the vocals come in. At about 3:20, the music stops and Green speedily speaks "This is a 44. caliber love letter straight from my heart" and then the music continues. The band writes rather strange lyrics, such as in "Polariods Of Polar Bears", another standout track, starts with the lyrics "Raped by my child hood? What the hell do I know about rape any way? Well I guess it's fun to pretend, sorry". Another example is "Where No One Knows", which ends with the lyrics "Some times it's just about feeling good like John Kusac and pop punk". Not all of their lyrics are odd, however. They also touch on serious subjects such as love, death, war, fights at school, and the Kennedy's.

Althought there are many bands that sound similar to Alexisonfire, I believe that they are among the best of their kind. You should check them out if you're a fan of A Static Lullaby, From Autumn To Ashes, Silverstein, Funeral For A Friend, Underoath, and so on. I think they are the best thing to come out of Canada since Pamela Anderson.

This isn' too great of a record. Mostly screamxcore. If you love screaming and have no f*%^ing clue what they're saying, this is the band for you. Otherwise, look towards greater bands such as Funeral For A Friend(not Hours), Saosin and Scary Kids Scaring Kids.

"44. Caliber Love Letter," struck me with its intro of instruments, a gutturally scenic vocalist backed by a softer second, which was an entire root of screamo inventiveness. The music of Alexisonfire feels unrehearsed and dangerously raw. Nonetheless, it is purely majestic, and damn mesmerizing. Each track plays flawlessly to the eardrum, proceeding to bomb the human hard drive. Their sounds are so astounding that it's just downright irresistible.

There are times when you can't really figure out what genre a band fits into, and Alexisonfire half finds its way into that statement. They merge explosively charged moments of fury into unexpected guitar riffs. Not to mention instances of the piano providing impressive seconds of a track. With that said, I can't help but bring up the profound guitar work behind Alexisonfire. The guitar hooks essentially make Alexisonfire. On a whim, after you experience their CD you'll know their signature guitar talent. The sheer execution of creativity packed with picturesque rawness can go real far, and Alexisonfire proves just that.

Being a new avid fan of screamo and metalcore, Alexisonfire is something I have been truly waiting and searching for. Their music captivates the subconscious and delivers a hint of mood and burgeons it. Reward yourself today and listen to them. It's worth it all to throw yourself into a nuclear rock out. There is a nice variety of moods slapped onto this completely essential CD to the genre. It digs itself inside of you and has you moving into an almost euphoric state of mind. From the very start to finish, Alexisonfire will leave you gasping.

I have to express thanks to Alexisonfire for they have exposed me to the record label Equal Vision Records. A newbie to their label, I checked out other bands under the label and found myself immersed by the gateway. It led me to several other talented bands such as Coheed and Cambria, Bear Vs. Shark, and the Hope Conspiracy.

I personally enjoy Alexisonfire's self titled debut. Though i agree that they're not totally original, they don't disgrace the genre. The band blends an array of screams, singing, and awesome guitars on this 10 track winner. On the contrary to what some people were saying earlier, i actually think you can hear what the lead singer is screaming a little more clearly than other bands. Not that this a pro or con, just my opinion. If you're a fan of hardcore, or maybe some softer stuff too, check this album out. Highlights include ".44 Caliber Love Letter" and "Where No One Knows."

Rating: Four stars.

This is possibly one of the best albums I've ever heard. With the combination of screaming and singing with an emocore background, this is easily my favorite screamo band. If I were to make any highlight it would have to be the bands name, as the whole cd is great, not just one song. Not many bands would name themselves after a lactating porn site. Also, if you like this band, check out Mewithoutyou.

I gotta say it took me a couple listens spread across a year or so, and a whicked performance at a Warped Tour to fully appreciate this band. I couldn't get past the screaming (growling?) of the lead singer to actually LISTEN to what was going on. The music behind this guy is what this band is all about: insanely talented, original and catchy songwriting. Beautifully layered, intricate guitar work and a heavy emotional style makes this album a gem that should not be overlooked by any fan of heavy music. I can't decide which of their two albums is the better. Hopefully their 3rd will be the best. Go out and get this album.

Alexisonfire has a great style. If you took every type of music I listened to and threw it in a blender..this album would be the result. Great music, good singing/screaming, and decent lyrics. These guys are the best their genre has to offer (from autumn to ashes, poison the well, saosin, etc.) I highly recommend this album.