Search - Project 86 :: Picket Fence Cartel

One Word: EPIC

C. Smith | New York | 07/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you've kept up with Project 86's discography you know that each album they put out is very different, yet still Project. Andrew's voice is as powerful and emotional as it has been for the last six albums, but the lyrics and musicianship brings Picket Fence Cartel to a new level. The album kicks off with Destroyer which is a medium paced heavy song. The Butcher tells the tale of a man who is threating to kill Andrew with a knife, but he never backs down "there is no weapon, there is no blade, I've erased all of my fear of the grave." The Spectacle of Fearsome Acts is an interesting combination of haunting piano and airy guitar. Dark Angel Dragnet is a personal favorite, with a drumline intro, really cool guitar sounds, and strong lyrics, "Cancel my ticket booked to fire, choirs of angels sing my name." Cold and Calculated which has an interesting formula; each verse starts off fast, picks up and abrubtly becomes a very slow breakdown for the chorus. Cement Shoes keeps the pace going for another amazing song: A John Hancock With The Safety Off. Througout his musical career, Andrew blames media for a lot of the problems in the world. This song is an excellent combination of hard pounding drums, heavy guitar, synth, and emotional vocals. Two Glass Eyes, Cyclonus, and the Black Brigrade are all excellent songs, all which satisfy the ears with hard pounding truth. The grand finale, To Sand We Return, is an almost perfect closer to an amazing album. A little over 2 minutes into the song, the song slows before blasting your ears with some of the most intense spiritual lyrics found on any Project album "Who do I belong to? not earth, not world, not evil, not mortals, not wretches, not horrors, who do I belong to? unchanging, unbreaking, unfailing, Creator, Immortal, Eternal." Project's work has never really been embraced by Christian or secular markets as much as they deserve. Give them a chance you won't regret it."

ONCE AGAIN 86 TAKES IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL..

Ryan | KY | 07/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been an 86 fan since the beginning and this album does not disappoint...But let me say this, listen to it a couple times through before you decide..When I first heard it I would of rated it 4 stars...After a couple times through I liked it more and more..This album is just intense..And they added a metal edge to the music they've never really done before..And the lyrics...That was really pushed it to the top charts for me..INCREDIBLE lyrics..I'm so glad this band stayed unground..Going mainstream seems to destroy bands..Take POD and Skillet..They got weaker as they went on..But 86 keeps pushing the level higher...GREAT ALBUM...WORTH THE MONEY..."

A welcome return to the signature Project 86 sound

J. Pence | Jacksonville, Florida United States | 07/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A couple years ago, when Rival Factions came out, I was taken aback by the new-fangled electronic sound that Project 86 took on. It took some getting used to, and I eventually warmed up to it, but it still didn't seem quite like Project. I have a friend who introduced me to them back when Truthless Heroes hit the shelves, and he still hasn't forgiven them for the new sound. He was skeptical and hesitant about buying Picket Fence Cartel.



I must say, that after listening to this album through a few times, I am very happy that Project returned back to their signature sound, with a bit of the electronic influence still remaining. There are several songs that are very well-written, both musically and lyrically. Overall, it's easy to tel that this album was made to be listened to all the way through. While some songs are better than others, there aren't any that I'd skip over automatically. I can confidently say that every track is worth listening to on this album.



I also enjoy the subtle increase in metal influence in this album. There were several times where I thought "Is that a hint of Metallica?"



Project 86 is still going strong on their eighth release."