Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tons of potential, September 30, 2005
Before I get to any of my disparaging remarks, I must first say that this really is a quality album. So much of the screamo/emo/post-hardcore/punk bands...(whatever, these labels are beginning to annoy me to no end) are no better than Limp Bizkit or Good Charlotte in their whiney, we're so rebellious tone. Chiodos is not one of these bands. This six piece outfit will hopefully create a niche of its own simply because of their talent as musicians and songwriters.
All's Well That Ends Well displays influences from the aforementioned styles, but also incorporates elements of classical music, progressive death/thrash, and pure heavy metal ala Iron Maiden. Metal heads beware! I am in no way saying that these are the dominant influences, rather, Chiodos has created a unique sound by infusing these sounds with the more annoying screamo related stylings. Put together, though, it works. A great example of this would have to be "Expired in Goreville" which contains an almost techno-themed chorus, and a near-to-grindcore breakdown.
What I simply cannot get over are the almost unforgivable clean vocals. My goodness, if this vocal tone is not the epitome of the "I'm so mad at the world because my parents are rich, but I just want to be an obnoxiously rebellious teenager, because, goshdarn, it's just soooooo cool" trend, then I don't know what is. Please, I am in no way insinuating that I know the roots or philosophies of these band members, but any metal fan who hears these vocals will immediately understand where I'm coming from.
Luckily, Chiodos saves itself with instrumental originality and ability. The dual guitar attack presents technical riffs not often heard in the screamo/post-punk genre, and the piano and keyboards play such an integral part in establishing the mood and emotion of the tracks. Most importantly to me, Chiodos avoid stagnation by composing songs of multiple themes, breakdowns, riffs, sections, etc., and in looking at the album as a whole, the tracks are also varied when compared to one another.
Screamo/post-hardcore fans will absolutely love the unrivaled sound and ability of this band, while those who approach the album as metal fans, like me, will find it hard to swallow the sometimes tortuous vocals. Still, "All's Well that Ends Well" and at the end of it all, any listener will be impressed with the scope of influences, and the truly unique final product they create.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of 2005's Unexpected Gems, October 26, 2005
I'll be the first to admit that I was never a big fan of Chiodos (formerly known as The Chiodos Brothers) before. Personally I thought they just sounded like an alternate version of The Blood Brothers, while being more melodic and cohesive at times. However after hearing "Alls Well That Ends Well", I can safely say any pre-conception I (or anyone for that matter) had of the band can be completely erased. Enter Chiodos. Chiodos does so many things right and extremely different on this record, something which easily sets them apart from most of their peers in the emo and hardcore scene. They do an excellent job of blending all the popular musical styles of the current scene (emo, hardcore, screamo, punk), while adding their own special elements to the puzzle, and create one of the most unique sounds you're likely to hear. To put it simply if you like any form of emo, hardcore, screamo or whatever, then this is a must listen album for you.
Chiodos are extremely accomplished musically for being so young. I think the age of most of the band members is somewhere between 19-21. That's saying a lot for this release. The guitars weave in and out with eachother creating remarkable patterns, and excellent riffs on pieces like "The Words 'best friend' Become Refined" and "There's Penguins In Alaska". Chiodos also has an extreme range, capable of turning something upbeat and poppish like "Baby You Wouldn't Last A Minute On The Creek" into a fierce breakdown with volatile screaming and plenty of double bass. Everyone in the band is extremely accomplished musically, and that really pays off off for them in the end. There's not a song on here you will want to skip (except maybe the interludes). Every song has its own unique flavor, and is distinct from any other on the album. Songs like "We're Gonna Have Us A Champagne Jame" and "No Hardcore Dancing In The Living Room" see the band taking their sound to the heavy extremes, while "All Nereids Beware" and "Expired in Goreville" balance out the record, showing Chiodos' more melodic side. The pace of the album is another great thing. No song lags on too long, or is too short for taste. Occasionally there is a slightly long soft intro ("Expired in Goreville", "No Hardcore Dancing In The Living Room"), but those parts don't hamper the songs at all. The addition of electronic elements like keyboards, what sounds like synthesizers, and even piano adds amazing depth to the music, really giving it a different sound from most of today's screamo/emo/posthardcore/whatever. Vocally the band is still somewhat in the Blood Brother's range (I mean hey they also have two vocalists, no coincidence), but personally I'll take Chiodos vocals over the Blood Brothers any day. They don't come off as sounding like little children, just passionate singers. Every single song on this album is worthy of praise, but you will only get the full idea when you listen for yourself.
After hearing this album I can't believe I ever doubted these guys. I'm also glad the guys signed with Equal Vision Records, because they are definitely a perfect fit for Chiodis' sound. Like I said if you're a fan of emo/hardcore/screamo/punk or whatever then I don't see why you wouldn't enjoy this one. This is already moving up spots in my top records of the year list. I can't wait to see these guys live again (because they are as equally amazing live) and hear what they have to offer in the future. If this is any indication, this band is destined for good things. So don't let this one pass by you; you'll be missing one of the definite highlights of 2005. And remember "No Hardcore Dancing In The Living Room."
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
break out of the scene, June 18, 2006
All's Well That Ends Well has to be one of the best records that came out last year. Chiodos can't be labeled by a simple word like 'screamo' because it's so much more than that. The band incorperates (yes screamo) with prog., metal, hardcore, etc. I know many bands say that they do this, but Chiodos rises far above those bands. The music has so much energy, you just have to rock out to it. These guys also put on a crazy show. I haven't had so many elbows to the face as I had at their show. If you're bored of the scene, check these guys out.
And P.S. don't compare this band to other bands. Chiodos isn't like them.
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