The Tide And Its Takers by 36 Crazyfists
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Release date : May 2008
Reviewed by Eric Stephens
Background information
Review
Background information
In July 2007, 36 Crazyfists signed a record contract with Ferret Records. By late August 2007, writing sessions in support of the group's fourth album had begun, coming to a conclusion in November. Early December helmed recording sessions, the second week of that month witnessing vocalist Brock Lindow beginning to cut his vocal contributions. So that Christmas and New Years could be appropriately celebrated, Lindow travelled home following a week of recording sessions. Lindow's vocals were completed by the second week of January 2008, with the album being mostly finished afterwards. Entitled The Tide And Its Takers, guitarist Steve Holt handled production, whilst Andy Sneap was hired to conduct mixing duties at Backstage Studios in Derby, England. The album's artwork was designed by Sons of Nero (In Flames, Every Time I Die, Full Blown Chaos, The Human Abstract), who drew a pirate ship which is viciously apprehended by a menacing skull. Lyrical content concerns the daily difficulties an average individual faces over the course of their lives. Walls of Jericho's Candace Kucsulain donated guest vocals to “Vast and Vague”, whilst Twelve Tribes' Adam Jackson donated guest vocals to “Clear the Coast”. Issued in May 2008, the full length was originally scheduled for release during March.
Review
36 Crazyfists form a quintessential aspect of what helps Metal maintain a fresh and interesting demeanour, and have survived nearly fifteen years within an eternally evolving musical climate. Penning material which musically evolves upon each respective full length, The Tide And Its Takers happens to be the outfit's fourth studio album. From the album's inaugural notes towards its concluding passages, 36 Crazyfists' audible aim was creativity and individualism, not to mention the pursuit of fun.
Each track seemingly fuses a range of musical genres, whether it be melodic Punk, Emo, Screamo, Thrash or Power Metal. Applying both hooks and twists via a creative fashion, this specific trait causes 36 Crazyfists to be particularly distinct. Never overstepping the mark, those hooks and twists lend each number a technical ambience. “Only a Year or So…” and “The Tide and Its Takers” prove more inspirational, and meaningful. Within “Only a Year or So…”, a wife reads a letter she's written to her soldier husband, and the husband subsequently reads a letter he's written to his wife. Sandwiched between each narrative, emotional screams surface. When 36 Crazyfists cut “The Tide and Its Takers”, it feels as though the group simply ventured into a room, performed an acoustic rendition, and left. In all, the track provides yet another opportunity to witness the act in a differing light. In most instances, the album's subsequent content, melodically refined power, builds itself upon aggression and emotion. A Killswitch Engage vibe denotes “We Gave It Hell”, a promising cut which possesses several timely Punk chants. “The All Night Lights”, meanwhile, comprises one of a few select cuts which extremely showcase Holt and Whitney's hooks. Alongside “The All Night Lights”, “Clear the Coast” adeptly displays Lindow's broad vocal abilities. Whether that approach might be clean, screaming, growling, or unadulterated emotion, Lindow's versatility features upon each and every track.
Magnificently authored, The Tide And Its Takers causes much reason for excitement. In usual circumstances, you hope an album favours merely one musical direction. An exception to the rule, 36 Crazyfists' can master any stylings they wish given their talent, and creative prowess. Constant tempo changes maintain the listener's interest, favouring such moods as aggression and melody, and reverting between the two. When writing material of this magnitude, it's little wonder the outfit has garnered such attention, and has such resilience.
