The Chariot - Long Live

Artist: The Chariot
Album: Long Live
Release Date: 11/22/10
Label: Good Fight Music

I must say, I really had no idea how to approach the new album from The Chariot, Long Live. Having listened to not much, but some of their previous works, I couldn't get past the noisy songs that overtook my ears. That really changed with Long Live, the band's fourth full-length effort. Something just really hit me on the album that I really enjoyed, whether it be the songwriting, or the feedback-filled songs, that had a bit more structure than before, that I'm sure would be great in a live setting.

The short "Evan Perks" leads off Long Live chaotically and brings to the table what the rest of the album has to offer. The humorous "Calvin Makenzie" ends with bits of a classic sounding song that are quite laughable to hear after the storm of craziness. A few tracks later comes one of the albums longer and best tracks, "The City." It takes on a different tempo from the slower and heavy songs from the band, being faster and a bit more punk driven, nearly. It also contains some great lyrics, that proclaim "If I leave this earth tonight may it be said that I spoke my peace, I spoke with the wrath of His grace" and goes on to close with a shrieking "This is a revolution!" The most diverse track on the album would have to be my personal favorite, which is "David De La Hoz." About a minute in, indie artist Listener makes an interesting appearance with his unique spoken word section that adds an interesting depth. To increase the track's diversity, it ends with an array of piano and a cool section played by harpist Timbre.

From "David De La Hoz" and on, the rest of the album finishes out strong. "The Heavens" is a bit of a slower, sludgier track that starts off with some firing riffs. Vocalist Josh Scogin's voice takes on a bit of a different sound in the song, with the vocals being a bit more yelled than screamed. "Robert Rios" rings with a bit more of a grit, leading into "The King," the longest track on the album, clocking at nearly six minutes, as opposed to the other songs, which mainly weigh in at about two minutes each. The song has some interesting horns thrown in at parts in the song, and about halfway through the song, resorts to mainly just drumming and feedback to end Long Live.

Rating: 8/10 The Chariot have finally caught my attention with their newest release, Long Live. Not without their signature noisy, feedback-heavy sound, that I'm sure would be great live, the is well structured and even adds in a few interesting elements thrown in here and there, such as spoken word, harp and even some horns, to add some diversity. I was really surprised with this album and must say, long live The Chariot.

Tracklisting:

1. Evan Perks
2. The Audience
3. Calvin Makenzie
4. The City
5. Andy Sundwall
6. The Earth
7. David De La Hoz
8. The Heavens
9. Robert Rios
10. The King

(Buy Here)