Customer Reviews

Crave

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The press section of Irish band Cyclefly's website is headed off with a quote from Linkin Park's very own Chester Bennington, which might indicate exactly what the problem might be on their new album, Crave. The highly original, quirky pop-rock-metal sound of Generation Sap, their first album, has dissipated, leaving behind diluted melodies and rhythms that reek of mainstream radio rock. Luckily, Declan O'Shea's signature vocals are distinctive enough to set the band apart no matter how monotonous their music gets, but that's not enough to distract an old fan from the fact that, not only is Bennington polluting the otherwise catchy "Karma Killer" with his vocal contributions, even the font used for the bands name on the cover seems reminiscent of Hybrid Theory.
Crave is Cyclefly's second album, released under the patronage of Bennington as well as major label MCA. Those who heard Generation Sap might not like the change that is evident on Crave. The opening track of Generation Sap, "Violet High", featured innovative guitar with a lot of pedal, and Declan's typically abstract lyrics set to a more captivating tune than anything on Crave. On the whole, the sound of the album was much more open, in contrast to the heavy, almost rap-metal feel of Crave.
Mourning the "old Cyclefly" aside, the album does have some good songs on it. One of the best is "Selophane Fixtures", which sounds more than anything else like everything that was good about Generation Sap. The pedal guitar is there, and the rhythm guitar isn't so heavy that you can't hear Declan's voice. "Lost Opinion" is good too, for the same reasons. And, lest someone think I'm one of those people who just can't stand it when a band wants to change their sound, "No Stress", "Karma Killer" (minus Bennington!) and "Crowns" are all good tracks as well, even while they explore new musical ground and lean towards a more metal-y sound. If Cyclefly were looking to evolve and mature, this should be the direction they should be heading in. But the inclusion of such tracks as the totally non-descript "Crave" (the title track, for god's sake!) and "King For a Day" seems to indicate that Cyclefly are headed for not maturity, but conformity and mass acceptance. Or that they're trying to sound like Linkin Park, not that there's a difference.
For the record, I completely respect a band's right to experiment with their style and sound, but I fear that attention from MCA and Mr. Linkin Park are having a less-than-beneficial effect on the truly unique band that is Cyclefly...

Although they've softened up a bit on this record, the quality of the songs are still great. I honestly got into these guys first because Declan's voice sounds so much like Geddy Lee's, and although that doesn't change, I think lyrically, he's really come into his own. Best song on here is definitely "Karma Killer" because Chester Bennington from Linkin Park is on it. I hope this becomes a big hit for these guys.

I loved their first album, Generation Sap. From the day I bought Crawl Down, their debut single, on the strength of a review that compared them to Smashing Pumpkins, I craved (sorry!) every Cyclefly release. Generation Sap was fantastic in places, though never matched the first single (and leaving off Sellotape (the B-Side from Crawl Down, and still their best song, in my humble opinion) was a big mistake.
Crave, on the other hand, has lost that 'oomph' that made them so original first time around. The songs stick to their set structure, there is no random meandering like there was before, and Crave stinks of an attempt at corporate acceptance. Some songs are great, others aren't, and you can't help but cringe at some of the lyrics.
No Stress and Karma Killer are my standout tracks, but ironically my favourite song was a bonus track, Weary, off the UK release.
They clearly are a talented band, and have a distinctive sound, but I can't help but feel that in their attempt to commercialise they are going to miss out on the very thing they crave (sorry, again!) - commercial success.
A shame.