Customer Reviews

Point #1

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Chevelle's first album might come as a shock to those initiated with the more recent albums ("Wonder What's Next" and "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In")), mainly because it sounds like a totally different band! Not that their new style is a bad thing, I love Chevelle, and the new sound is working for them just as well, but "Point #1," their debut, is just phenomenal. An undiscovered gem. I've had this CD since it's release in 1999, so listening to it provides a lot of nostalgia for me, and it holds a special place in my heart. This album is full of passion, intensity and pure emotion. Pete Loeffler, guitarist and vocalist, shines through with thoughtful, often cryptic and poetic lyrics, while his voice often echoes that of Maynard James Keenan, but with it's own distinct sound. His brothers, Joe and Sam, back him up on bass and drums (respectively) and the dynamic between the three is unbelieveable. Despite the fact that they reportedly fight a lot, whenever they get together, the combination is explosive and shows in the music. The album begins with the appropriately titled "Open," a two minute instrumental that primes you up for the album, and showcases some solid musicianship. The song bleeds into the next, the now classic "Point #1," which is my personal favorite Chevelle song of all time (anyone remember that creepy video they did for it?), and shows off what Chevelle are all about. The album continues along at a fast pace, slowing down briefly for the emotionally draining and beautiful "Dos," but the pace is picked up by more uptempo tracks like "Sma" and "Mia." A lot of people tote Chevelle as Tool sound-alikes, but I only hear it in Pete's voice. Musically, I always though of them as being more in common with Helmet, as displayed on songs like "Skeptic" and "Long." "Prove To You" is one of the defining moments of the album, and is pretty much the only song that sounds at all like what they do today. The album as a whole is just beautiful. I'm sure many new people are discovering this album, due to their success, and realizing what Chevelle is all about. It may take a few listens to adjust, especially if you already own the newer material, but it is an album that is sure to have a very long shelf-life. Not many albums are made like this anymore, just plain raw, stripped down, and pure. That's what "Point #1" is all about, and if you love music, this is the album for you.

The three piece brother band Chevelle has put out one of the most quality debut albums by any band in any genre I have heard. There are no flaws to this album at all. Yeah..they sound like Tool, but that is not in any way a flaw. It's not like there are any other bands out there that have stepped up and given Tool fans(as well as any fan of hard rock in general) another good band to pursue. Chevelle explodes on all 11 tracks of this emotional-hard rock disc. The trio of brothers will usually start out a song with a quiet guitar intro while Pete sings in an almost meek, trembling voice. Then they will break into one of the most explosive combos of powerful vocals and rip-tear guitar playing that you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing. On a final note...Chevelle may not be the most talented band in the world, but they just plain and simple play some of the best hard rock. There is no better way of putting it.

Comfort to the frustated; Affirmation to the logical. These are really only a brief sample of the content one can expect from the album "Point #1."

It concerns me, however, that many reviewers, including Amazon themselves tend to associate Chevelle with the band Tool. The vocal are similar, with Chevelle minus the superiority complex. However, sound should not be considered a common thread, the outlook of the two bands differ widely. Mainly, while the singer of Tool glares down with a contemptous atheism, Chevelle is calmly contemplative. They adknowledge some God while pointing out the flaws existant in most all church establishments.

Notice should be taken that the previous is my interpretation of the oh-so-interpretable album. One should not draw conclusions about a band of this caliber without first having a listen.

You've got to give it to Pete Loeffler, he poured his heart out on here. Plus, his brothers have his back with great guitar and drums. I heard this CD when it came out and thought to myself : "It's alright but these guys will get better." Then, I heard about the release of Chevelle's next album, Wonder What's Next. That's when I decided I would really listen to Point #1. When I did, I kicked myself a couple of times. How could I have missed the greatness before ? I still don't know, but I did. Doesn't seem important now anyway.

As on Wonder What's Next, Chevelle starts the album with a great intro. Here, it takes the form of one song being seperate into 2 tracks, Open and Point #1, Open being the introduction to Point #1. Then, here comes Prove to You that sounds like Comfortable Liar, only less powerful. Mia might sound a little weird at first, but it's just as good as the first 2 (3) songs. The only problem here is that the songs start to sound repetitive near the end of the record. Repetitive. Repetitive. It's my job. My job. It's my job to sound repetitive. There's maybe the exception of Dos, where the lead singer sings low, then screams all of a sudden. I don't hear many bands do this on their first album.

This record is really the prelude to Wonder What's Next and might be interesting if you'd like to hear everything Chevelle did. It's kind of like Breaking Point's debut : it's alright, but you just know there's something bigger coming. In case of Chevelle however, you don't have to wait. You can just get Wonder What's Next right now... You heard me !

Not a whole lot to say about these guys. Yeah, yeah, they sound like Tool. I also think they sound like Hum. So what? So they are influenced by them, does that mean that they are them? Nope. Chevelle is a very good band in their own right. I picked up the CD because I heard song #4 (Mia) on the radio, and I haven't been disappointed at all. I find their sound to be almost soothing. If you enjoy Tool or Hum, and actually have an open mind to bands influenced by them, check these guys out, you won't be let down.

i bought this cd not really knowing what to expect, having only heard the first release, 'Mia'. Boy, was i ever pleasantly surprised...to put it very mildly. This has quickly become one of my favorite cd's, and only leaves my car when i bring it in the house to listen to. Pete's voice, at times, nears the raw emotion felt in Maynard James Keenan's voice, and i love it. They get a lot of comparison to Tool, and i'm not really sure why...that was my first thought, too, but looking back on it now, i don't see it so much. This is the one cd i listen to more than A Perfect Circle right now...that's a sidenote. These guys aren't quite as talented as Tool, but man do they ever pull off what they're going for. If only more bands could be so good. Basically, if you like music with emotion, you'll like this...no Bizkit or Manson fans aloud.

I was disappointed that Mia off of this album didn't pick up like WWN did. This album is easily better than WWN in the fact that it offers a unique sound, while WWN kind of retreated to what was already out there. It's faster and more complex and is built upon their unique guitar distortion that I love about this album. They drifted away from that sound on WWN. So, if you like WWN, and that was your first glimpse at this band, then definitely pick up Point #1 as it is everything WWN, only better.

Before Wonder Whats Next there was Point #1, somewhat softer than WWN but with all the right elements. Every track is good I stick in the cd in the car and listen it the whole way through never skippin a track. My favorite track off the cd is Blank Earth because its heavy and real soft then heavey real soft etc.

What is there to say about Chevelle's debut point #1? There is a lot to say. How about dark, hard, intense, and razor edged? The only thing remiss about this album is the length. I want more. I hit peer, the final song and was waiting for another sharp rift. I was only rewarded with the replay of the album though; this itself wasn't a bad consolation prize since this album becomes better every time one listens to it. What makes this album so good? There are several factors here and the #1 for me is the vocals. Pete Loeffler unleashes his vocal talent amongst a flurry of blazing riffs. He can go from a sweet whisper to a shredding roar. He sounds remarkably like Tool's Maynard James Keenan. #2 is the music. Chevelle has this strange distortion that they use which almost sounds clean. No matter what it is, it sounds sweet, and when it blends with the jagged chorus distortion, a slick song is easily produced. Chevelle does not go through up to three different movements like the band they are so often compared to, Tool. Still, the grinding riffs and thundering drums are more than impressive. #3 is consistency. This album is consistent from open to close, moving along at a excellent pace. Open leads right into the grand point #1, which then leads to the rest of the album. Highlights include the said point #1, mia, skeptic, anticipation, blank earth, sma, and peer. I might as well just say every song. #4 is mass appeal. In this time when hard music is among the rulers of the music market, whether it be rapcore or heavy hitting tool, chevelle is going to make a distinct mark. They already have a music video for mia out which also looks remarkably like some tool videos. This album by chevelle is sure to make its way into secular listener's hearts. The length is really the only problem. Although I am not impressed by Pete Loeffler's lyrics I can hardly hear them so they still sound great. Anyway, for those Christians who haven't found anything that sounds remotely like tool--chevelle has arrived.

Warning: you will be blown away! This CD surprised me alot.The first song I heard was "Prove to You" onradio.sonicnet's Christian rock station. I loved it! So I looked into it here at Amazon.com, and fell in love with it! Tracks 1,2,3,4,6,7,9,10,11 are my faves - yes, all but two! This CD is packed with great lyrics and awesome guitars. Pete Loeffler has a great voice as well. It gets better every time you listen to it. In fact, I've listened to it for a week straight - all day every day - and I'm not tired of it! If you like hard rock, and are in quest for clean, non-offensive lyrics, Point#1 is for you. I know a lot of people have been saying it sounds similar to Tool but why does that make them a bad group? So what if they sound alike? I suggest you take this CD for a spin, and see what the fuss is about. As for the CD case, it's the most backwards thing I've ever seen. The cover is on the back, upside down. So you have to turn the CD upside down, and then flip it over to open it.