POINT #1

Too often certain people or bands receive attention because of who they know, who “discovered” them, what record label they’re on, or who produced their album(s). Whenever you read about actress Rose McGowan, fiancé Marilyn Manson is certain to be mentioned. Pick up an article on David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar, and Van Halen is probably thrown in somewhere. Courtney Love often equals an inevitable Kurt Cobain reference.
Along that same line, Steve Albini has worked on some landmark releases by Nirvana, Bush, and Jimmy Page/Robert Plant, to drop a few names. Albini also recorded Chevelle’s debut disc, but this band should be allowed to stand on their own.
Intro “Open” segues into title track “Point #1,” a rather atmospheric song. Vocally reminiscent of Maynard James Keenan (Tool), Pete Loeffler has a voice that stands apart from most. Emotive and urgent, Pete entwines his words with some heavy, distorted guitars. Making it a family affair, the Chicago-based band is rounded out with Pete’s brothers, Joe (bass) and Sam (drums).
Inevitably, some of Albini’s trademark sound can be heard. While the band “wanted a slightly more produced sound,” some of the same qualities that made Nirvana’s In Utero such a raw album are present, particularly in the drum sound. The rhythm guitar parts are more in your face than some of the stuff Mr. Albini has put his stamp on, as are the vocals. According to the band, this was a conscious effort. Chevelle wanted something not quite so indie rock sounding, and they succeeded.
Just don’t expect a slicked-up Nashville rock record. While there isn’t a lot of variance from song to song, with the possible exception of closer “Peer,” each track takes enough twists and turns within themselves to keep things intense and saturated. This is one of the heavier and drudge-filled albums I’ve heard come from a label located in the Christian Music Capital of the World in a long time; possibly the heaviest ever to come out of “Nash-Vegas,” as some affectionately call it.
The band has said that, to this day, they do not like their name. With the word “Chevelle,” Audio Adrenaline’s song “Chevette” comes to mind, but don’t expect anything at all similar to those CCM chart- toppers. This is not pop music.
Chevelle’s overall sound transcends most of today’s Christian hard music. Reminding one of Tool, this is not quite as technically proficient. But that’s not really the point. Chevelle’s sound seems to ride the line between emo and something else. That something else should be left up to the listener. It is difficult to describe this band within the confines of any single genre. In today’s hardcoremodernrockskapunk cloning factory, Chevelle doesn’t fit the mold.
[Squint/ CO]