Chariot, The
The Fiancee
Josh Scogin must possess the Midas touch. His first major venture, vocalist for Norma Jean, worked. He got a new band, called it The Chariot, wrote a record, and it worked. He switched members, his next EP worked. He switched more members, and the band’s latest release with The Chariot, The Fiancee, works overtime.
The Chariot – Scogin’s post-Norma Jean brainchild – released their debut record in late-2004, called Everything is Alive, Everything is… blah blah blah the entire title might take longer to say than the actual length of the record. The anticipation was huge – it being the first record since Scogin’s departure from the revolutionary Norma Jean – and when it finally dropped, it seemed to polarize audiences. Some fell in love with it immediately; some couldn’t take all the extra feedback.
After an EP, The Chariot has come back with The Fiancee – it’s gold, and it’s because Scogin touched it. The band is entirely new – save for Scogin – and it doesn’t seem to matter. The very base of what forms The Chariot must still be there, because The Fiancee only expands and elaborates on what The Chariot produced over two years ago on their debut record.
The record begins with 10 seconds of pure noise, as loud and as screeching as possible. Welcome to the first track – and you almost immediately have to say goodbye; you only get a little over a minute to savor it before the record moves on to “They Faced Each Other.” The first three songs are like riding a roller coaster in a tornado, and The Chariot is begging you to hang on.
Stick it out and you’ll be rewarded. Get to “And Shot Each Other” and the ending has a creepy choir that begins an eerie echo that seems to permeate the rest of the record. “The Deaf Policeman” is incredible:
when you think the band is going to stop, they keep going; when you think they’re going to venture down a certain path, they turn the opposite direction. “Then Came to Kill” has this wicked bell tolling in the background, just loud enough to set that imminent-death feel. But don’t expect them to harp on it too long. Don’t expect them to harp on anything too long. Which brings on the only drawback to the album: It’s short. It’s almost like a tease. They’re giving you this quick taste of what The Chariot is. But let’s put it this way: If the length of the record is just the tip of The Chariot’s iceberg, the meat of The Fiancee‘ could easily sink the Titanic. [Solid State] David Stagg
This album review was originally published in the May/June Issue (#125) of HM Magazine. Order the Print Version to read tons more reviews. You can do this online or find this issue on newsstands. You can NOW read this entire feature in the current FREE online edition of HM Magazine. Future digital issues can be purchased online for $1.99, and digital subscriptions will be only $6.
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Comments
By Joshua
I love the CD. I think it's their best one to date. But, it was to short. I wish their would have been at least one more song.
By orlando
the best of the chariot!!
i'm glad my band, Undying Prospects, opened for them.
By whaaaaat
HORRIBLE CD. THERE ARE A FEW COOL PARTS THAT ARE IMMEDIATLY RUINED BY INCREDIBLY CRAPPY PARTS; JUST WHEN THE SONG GETS GOOD THEY DO SOMETHING STUPID. THE BEST RIFFS ARE REPLACED BY HORRIBLE ONES. NOW THAT KELLER AND BEISER ARE GONE ALL THE GREAT RIFFS ARE TOO! THEY AREN'T THE SAME BAND & IT DOESN'T EXPAND AND ELABORATE ON THE LAST CD. NAME CHANGE PLEASE.
By Harvey
yeah to the last person you are retarded and way too damn stupid
By Bryce
"whaaaaaat" wow, look to the left of the keyboard and turn the CAPS off! No need to scream about, get over it, move on. Personally, I like it a lot. That's my personal preference, your personal preference is to whine about it.
By jared
They suck . Period .
By Jonatan
I was blown away by this album.. It's really solid and beautiful.
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