"The Tooth and Nail record label is known for hosting up and coming, hardcore artists, and The Classic Crime is one of it's best to emerge this year. With a fresh sound and smart lyrics, The Classic Crime's "Albatross" is a wonderful debut achievement. The record starts off fast paced with the hard hitting single, "The Fight", and doesn't hold up until the slower tune, "Who Needs Air." The pace quickens again with the fourth track, "Blisters and Coffee", which features many change ups and a cool build up to the verses. The band's second single, "The Coldest Heart" is one of the stand out songs on the album. A very strong chorus. "All the Memories" has a catchy chorus, and a great build up to the end of the song. "Say the Word" takes a slight turn in sound, but nevertheless, is one of the highlights on the album. "The Poet" is the only song on the album that I feel doesn't mesh well with the others. The bridge is fantastic, but the rest of the song isn't as impactful as the others. As for the remaining tracks, "I Know The Feeling", "The Bitter Uprising", and "We All Look Elsewhere", they round out the cd perfectly. To close the album is the powerful ballad, "Headlights", which features some of the songwriter's great lyrics.
I give this CD 5 stars. Look for more from this up and coming band in the future!"
Awesome CD!
bronxbomber | 07/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After hearing the first minute of "The Coldest Heart", I knew I had to get this cd. And was I right! If you like Anberlin, Falling Up, Switchfoot, or any rock band for that matter, you have to get this cd.
1.The Fight (11/10) My favorite song on the cd. Probably one of the more hard rock songs. The ten seconds of commentary in the begining is a bit chessy, but whatever. The actual song is awesome. When you think the song just can't get any better...you're wrong. A great harder rock song.
2.Flight of Kings (8.5/10) Another good song with a cool chorus. Not much else to say about it.
3.Who Needs Air (9/10) A slower rock song, still very cool. A great change of pace. Great lyrics, cool song.
4.Blisters and Coffee (8/10) Personally, I think that the chorus is a bit corny lyricly, but still a good song.
5.The Coldest Heart (10/10) Cool begining with the quick octaves on the guitar. Another more hard rock song that you'll be singing along with in no time. There are many cool build-ups throughout the song. Another great one on the cd.
6.All The Memories (8.5/10) Like "Who Needs Air", this is more of a soft rock song. Still, it's a great song. Good lyrics.
7.Say The Word (10/10) The first few times I listened to this cd, I just listened to this song and continued onto the next track without really listening to the song too much. But I should have. This is a great song. The riff is very powerful, and the drums in this song really do a lot for it. The lyrics are also very well done, especially the pre-chorus where Matt's voice starts soft and distorted, then grows louder.
8.I Know The Feeling (7/10) My least favorite on the cd. I find the lyrics a bit corny and the song a bit blah. But still, it's an okay song.
9.The Poet (10/10) One of the more harder rock songs, like "The Fight". Very good song, awesome bridge leading up to the screaming after "It burns...my...EYES!!!!!!!" Great harder rock song. Again, good lyrics.
10.The Bitter Uprising (9/10) Great lyrics, a more catchy song. Good song.
11.We All Look Elsewhere (9.5/10) Another song I looked over the first few times I listened to the cd. The intro is very cool with the lead guitar playing, the breaks, then the solos inbetween. The chorus is also very good, the bridge (or bridges) are very cool too. The song changes a lot...kinda. Not slowing down, but just...different. It's a great rock song. Just check it out. You'll find out what I mean.
12.Headlights (9/10) A slower song. Great way to end the cd. Matt hits some higher notes in this song. It's a good one. I like the long "I will let you go" slowing down thing at the end.
Pretty much, if you like some good rock, this cd is for you."
Good as expected
Paul Schroeder | Minneapolis, MN | 06/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a big fan of alot of Tooth and Nail artists. So when I heard "The Fight" from the Tooth and Nail sampler awhile ago, I found myself anticipating this album many months before it's release. I was certain that this band was talented enough to put out more than one good song. After listning to the cd for more than a month now it is clear that the Classic Crime is as talented as I thought. There are at least 3 great songs on the album and the rest are all good. I can say that they definatly will improve with time, but it was exactly what I was expecting from them."
Outstanding release
emo fan | Toledo, OH USA baby!! | 06/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When you think of some of the premier bands from the last two decades, you can¹t help but think of the Pacific Northwest. While The Classic Crime claims a musical pedigree harkening back to the legendary Seattle rock acts of the 1990s, the band¹s distinct musical signature is certain to leave an indelible mark on the present day rock landscape all their own. Assaulting your psyche with a high intensity, guitar-driven rock-riff sound coupled with arresting melodies and lyrics from Matt MacDonald¹s prophetic mind, The Classic Crime¹s songs will leave you humming for days on end."
Rock Masterpiece
Julio E. Duque | Seattle, WA USA | 05/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first song, "The Fight", takes you on a journey, it is energetic yet rich in meaning, "Would you go to war for me....,". This CD has such a wide variety of songs from radio ready Rock, like "All the Memories", to the video hit, "The Coldest Heart", This CD also send sonic waves to the edge of hard rock with tunes like, "Blisters and Coffee", "The Poet" and "We All Look Elsewhere". What is amazing is the talent expressed in this CD!. The vocals of Matt McDonald and the composition of Justin, the guitar player, along with the whole band harmonizing makes this CD a pleasure to enjoy and a Rock Masterpiece of legendary proportion. "Albatross" by The Classic Crime gives 100% quality Rock for ALL. It is ALL good!!!"