Hats Off To The Bull

It's hard to put into words the emotions you feel when listening to a Chevelle album. My immediate thoughts are along the lines of WOW...this exactly what I would write/create if I was as talented as this trio. Its like they know what I want to hear. Lyrically brilliant, evolving guitar lines and the band overall doesn't rest on past "clones" as many reviewers seem to be reaching for. The thing that you can count on every 2 years is that Chevelle will release an epic album, and that it won't be the same as the last, which for me is why they are on top of their game at this point in their career.

Honestly, Chevelle isn't straying far from the successful formula in which they made their name (you can still workout or drive excessively fast to these songs w/ the except of maybe Prima Donnas which is the ballad on this cd) but for me...they upped the anti overall with this album with their creativity and mature sound. To me, Peter shines the most. His vocal ability has come a very long-way from Point#1 and even WWN ... Sci-Fi Crimes was explosive and fast, you knew what you were going to get from the moment Sleep Apnea started. Where that album
was powerful and head-spinning, Hats off is creative, dark and lyrically sarcastic. I'm not going to talk about every song, because the beauty of each is the in the ear of the beholder. Upon first listen I thought "THE MEDDLER" was surely going to be the best track ....which btw might be Peter's best work yet....AND THEN a few minutes later "ENVY" played (my favorite Track on the album) This song was simply brillant, very dark, sexy and hostile. It had perfect balance...LOVED IT ...my only compliant would be that's its too short (I didn't want it to end)

The "Ruse" is surely going to have it's fair share of fans saying that its the best on the album, and Pinatta is no slouch either. "Pinatta" could have been named "VenaSera2011" with its "south american/mexican" sounding guitar-lines and is a perfect track to eventually lead into Hats off to the Bull. It's a shame that they picked Face to the Floor for the single, because honestly I played it so much before the album came out, that I hardly listen to it now. Chevelle could have easily picked Arise or Clones or even Revenge and it would have been just as addictive. The songs that stand out to me though in this order are, Envy, The Meddler, Ruse and Hats off to the Bull. I'm glad we have Chevelle to make this music, because I feel like they have their own category for their style at this point in their career and my musical taste. I listen to many different bands, and even categories of music and to me they sound like no-body else and that's special. PS. I don't get the T00L references that much, honestly other than Peter & Maynard both being specatular vocalists, the bands don't sound even remotely similar to me. Keep up the good work boys

Pre-ordered this album, and it arrived today. I have been listening to it front to back, I have yet to hear a mediocre track. These guys always put forth solid albums, and as usual this does not disappoint! Vena Sera was my favorite, but I think it might have just been replaced. This album as one reviewer said, is very melodic, but still hard rocking. Track 6, Envy, sounds kind of Tool inspired. 5 stars from me.

With Chevelle, you'll instantly have to accept a great singing voice that can go gritty and heavy or soft and melodic. If you can handle that with your musical preferences:

Chevelle has an incredible talent for creating very melodic songs that are almost always a pleasure to listen to, whether the song is hard and heavy with grinding riffs like tracks 1. Face to the Floor, (5/5), 7. Hats off to the Bull and track (5/5)11. Clones (5/5) with their aggressive, crushing guitar riffs and soaring vocals with just enough grit in the voice. At the same time, they tap into a softer tone, relying on solid, pleasant melodies to ease back with to really take in the lyrics, on songs like 6. Envy (4/5), 8. Arise (4/5), or 9. Revenge 4/5), which require the listener to have an open mind and relax. Bottomline, the Loeffler's have amazing vocals reminiscent of Tool and Remy Zero IMO.

If you value these traits Chevelle is well known for, then there is little to be disappointed with here, unless you closed your mind off with certain pre-expectations when you first listened to this album.

Keep in mind, if a track doesn't appeal to you right away, ask yourself if you find a quality in it that you DO like. Those are the tracks that tend to grow on you over time. Track 2 and 3 are good examples for me. They sound better with each listen. And that's why I changed my initial 4/5 stars for the album to a 5/5. If you're a CHEVELLE fan, do not miss this excellent, high quality album. Chevelle consistently delivers the goods.

Tracks: All my 2nd listen opinions on the ratings:
1. Face to the Floor 5/5 Heavier
2. Same Old Trip 4/5 Heavier
3. Ruse 4/5 Heavier
4. Meddler 5/5 Melodic focus and some Heaviness
5. Pinata 4/5 Heavy Melodic
6. Envy 4/5 Melodic, softer
7. Hats off to the Bull 5/5 Heavy
8. Arise 4/5 Melodic with some heaviness
9. Revenge 4/5 Melodic with some heaviness
10. Prima Donna 3/5 very nice softer performance
11. Clones 5/5 Heavier

Best Buy Extra tracks
12. Glimpse of the Con 3/5 Softer, melodic
13. Still Running (Live) 3/5 Amazing song, decent version.

Buy it. The Best Buy version wasn't a big deal IMO.

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