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Partorire un'opera e battezarla come "Crisis" non è roba da tutti. O si ha molta auto-ironia anche in caso di successivo flop o è sintomo di consapevolezza delle proprie capacità come musicisti. E, fortunamente, per gli Alexisonfire vale questa seconda opzione.
Gli Alexisonfire provengono dall'Ontario (Canada), nazione che vanta una discreta tradizione di band dedite a quel emo di nuova generazione (Grade, Silverstein). Nonostante da quelle parti il loro nome sia molto quotato, tanto da farli arrivare in cima alle classifiche, passano completamente inosservati da noi. I ragazzi tuttavia meriterebbero maggiori consensi, che sarebbero tutti meritati.
"Crisis", che segue "Watch Out!", è il disco della maturità, la definitiva consacrazione dei cinque canadesi. La band rientra a tutti gli effetti nella nuova ondata emocore. Abile nell'alternare partiture di matrice hardcore e chitarre graffianti e screaming laceranti a intermezzi emo in scia ai ritornelli di rara bellezza. Tutta l'opera è giocata su continui cambi di tempi e ritmi pressochè mozzafiato, che spazzano via la monotonia.
La caratteristica che distingue gli Alexisonfire tra gruppi simili è l'alternanza di ben tre voci dietro al microfono. Quella predominante e urlata del leader George Peotit, che si contrappone a quelle più melodiche dei due chitarristi Wade McNeil (più sporca tuttavia) e sopratutto quella splendida e angelica, che trasmette un senso di tranquillità e freschezza di Dallas Green. A completare la line-up sono Chris Steele al basso e la new-entry Jordan Hastings dietro le pelli.
Nulla da eccepire sia sul piano sonoro, che lirico. Si fatica a trovare dei riempitivi, ove ogni canzone sembra avere un suo perchè. Decisamente particolari i testi, che trattano vicende auto-biografiche e spaccati di società, e poco propensi a immergersi in salmoni amorosi come sembra canonico per il genere. Tra questi vengono viene narrata la grande bufera di neve di Buffalo del 1977 sulla title-track, ma trovano anche posto tematiche più personali, come la triste storia del padre di George, a cui il datore di lavoro provò a privarlo della pensione.
L'opener "Drunks, lovers, sinners and saints" è già abbastanza semplificativa dello stile del gruppo. Ove alle strofe urlate da Petit si contrappone un ritornello anthemico giocato a due mani tra Dallas e lo stesso George. Chorus che ricorda vagamente quello della loro grande passata hit "Accidents".
Il singolo di lancio "This could be anywhere in the world" è decisamente la song più conosciuta dei nord-americani, (basti vedere gli innumerevoli ascolti anche su last.fm), grazie anche ai suoi ripetuti ritornelli è quella che prima delle altre rimane in mente, sebbene discreta, non rende giustizia al resto dei pezzi, che si attestano quasi sempre su livelli qualitativi superiori.
Mentre con "Mailbox arson" e "Boiled frogs" gli Alexisonfire raggiungono la vetta, illuminando il cielo e colpendo e emoziando l'ascoltatore dall'interno. In entrambe, se ce ne fosse bisogno Dallas si conferma come un vocalist decisamente dotato e sublime per qualità e interpretazione L'incisiva e diretta "Mailbox arson" al trascinante grido di "you're not safe in this town, you're not safe in this town..", con la sua strana invettiva contro le periferie, è la dimostrazione di come si può avere un gusto raffinato per le melodie (splendido il breakdown soave), lontani da certi clichè e da certe sonorità pop-punk tanto abusate e scambiate spesso per quello che non sono.
In "Boiled frogs" sono riversati e dosati alla perfezione tutti gli ingredienti: riffing avvicente, parti corali stupende, hands-claps e una coda finale melodica con note di piano da incorniciare, elementi che ne fanno uno dei pezzi-colonna del genere.
Ancora più vivaci ed estoverse invece "We are the sound" e la title-track "Crisis" con pattern decisamente schizzofrenici, in cui ben figura il drummer, in cui a farle da padrone è la consueta alternanza di registri vocali contrapposti, sebbene sia sempre la voce urlata ad avere maggior spazio qui.
Poggiando la lente di ingradimento sul platter notiamo poi le sperimentazioni abbastanza inusuali di "Burn first" (che a dirla tutta sembra un pesce fuor d'acqua) in cui troviamo gli Alexis in una vesta inedita rock, con tonalità cupe e viscerali, le frizzanti e cariche "We are the end" e "Keep it on wax" (con i suoi bei giri di basso e stacchi mozzafiato), contrapposte a "To a friend" in cui viene tolto parzialmente piede dall'acceleratore per un attimo.
L'altro cambio importante di stile ("Burn First" a parte) si registra in chisura con la power-ballad "Rough hands" dal retrogusto malinconico e dark, in cui viene usato il pianoforte, ma dove tuttavia non si rinuncia agli screaming nemmeno qui, tanto per rimarcare la coerenza e il brand della band, che in misura differente in ogni pezzo, non rinuncia mai al cantato urlato.
Si parla di una qualità media comunque altissima, e se dovessimo stilare un ipotetico greatest-hist, praticamente figurebbe quasi ogni pezzo.
L'artwork si distingue in base alla zona geografica. Dove quello per il mercato americano (in alto) è graficamente superiore a quello della versione europea raffigurante un vecchio sfigurato dal gelo.
Gli Alexisonfire sono tutt'altro che in crisi, e se le produzioni emo si attestano su questi livelli, ben vengano pure. Uno dei dischi del 2006.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints (03:48)
ALRIGHT!
This is from our hearts
Sincerity over simple chords
We made some mistakes
We made some mistakes
But it's a long time coming when your giving it everything
ALRIGHT!
This is from our hearts
Sincerity over simple chords
We made some mistakes
We made some mistakes
But it's a long time coming when your giving it everything
ALRIGHT!
This is from our hearts
And it's been right from the start
There's fire in my guts you just can't put out
ALRIGHT!
This is from our hearts (From our hearts)
And there's always gonna be a part of this crowd
Who don't understand
OH!
And I feel the same
I won't ever change
Not a jaded hair upon my head
Are you pretending?
(That you care!)
Are you even listening?
Are you pretending?
(That you understand!)
Are you even?
Suits to the left
Squares to the right
Cause my heart - my heart is full
And we ride to fight
Suits to the left
Squares to the right
Cause my heart - my heart is full
And we ride to fight
Suits to the left
Squares to the right
Cause my heart - my heart is full
And we ride to fight
Suits to the left
Squares to the right
Cause my heart - my heart is full
And we ride to fight
Are you pretending?
(That you care!)
Are you even listening?
Are you pretending?
(That you understand)
Are you even listening?
Are you pretending?
ARE YOU? ARE YOU?
Are you even listening?!
Are you pretending?!
That your heart's in the right place!
Are you pretending?
Are you even listening?
Are you pretending?
Are you even?
There's no need to waste my time
Spending your life
Jumping from sinking ship to sinking ship
I think I'd rather drown
I know I'd rather drown!
OH!
And I feel the same
I won't ever change
Not a jaded hair up on my head!
02 This Could Be Anywhere in the World (04:03)
THIS TOWN HAS ITS CLAWS
BURIED IN MY NECK
THIS TOWN - IT TAKES LIVES
WITHOUT MERCY
WITHOUT HATE
The streets are in distress
The sun suffocates behind darkened skies
THE GRASS IS GROWING
ON TOP OF MY FEET
I'M SINKING - WON'T BE LONG
BEFORE I'M TOO DEEP TO RUN
The line-up seems endless
Underneath the salvation signs
WE ARE THE DEAD ONES
WE ARE THE LOST CAUSE
WE ARE THE BEND BEFORE THE BREAK
OUR STEPS SEAL OUR FATE
''CHORUS''
Because this city,
This city is haunted
By ghosts from broken homes
This city,
This city is haunted
There's no hope left for these souls
EVERY STEP I TAKE
I LEAVE A SMALL PIECE OF MYSELF BEHIND
SOON THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT
The cracks in the pavement
Match the cracks in their weathered skin
THE SKY'S A BRICK WALL
THE GROUND'S A JUGGERNAUT
EACH DAY THEY GET A BIT CLOSER
BETWEEN THEM, I AM CAUGHT
As I stare in amazement
I can't believe this is where I live
EVERY BREATH I TAKE
I FEEL MY LUNGS SEAL
THIS BREEZE FEELS MORE LIKE SHARDS OF GLASS
I'M MORE SCARS THAN SKIN
-''Chorus''-
OUR STEPS SEAL FATE x2
THIS IS OUR CELEBRATION, COME JOIN THE LOST SOULS x2
This city, this city is haunted...
''-Chorus-''
03 Mailbox Arson (03:31)
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
i strike a red bird on your face
i pour the kerosene in your mouth
i watch the match fall down your throat
i burn all your precious bowels
watch the smoke fold for every crack
and breathe in your secret lives
all your bills pay your welfare checks
but i don't think i can stay for long
there's a lot more that's not yet ash
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
well i'm taking this town back
i watch the smoke start to rise
one hundred homes
one hundred fires
everything you own now burns away
this town is no longer mine
its fucked with me for the last time
how i wish that i could see your face
when the sky is streaked with plumes
know that it's my signature
upon this wretched fucking city
mailbox arson, my sweet revenge
mailbox arson, my sweet revenge
strike a match and burn away every tie that binds me to this place
strike a match and burn away every tie that binds me to this place
i will strike a match and burn away every tie that binds me to this place
strike a match and burn away every tie that binds me to this place.
when the smoke clears
you can consider us even
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
your mail's not safe in this town
i'm taking this town back
i watch the smoke start to rise
one hundred homes
one hundred fires
everything you own now burned away
this town is no longer mine
it's fucked with me for the last time
how i wish that i could see your face
04 Boiled Frogs (03:57)
a man sits at his desk
One year from retirement
And he's up for review
Not quite sure what to do
each passing year
The workload grows
I’m always wishing
I’m always wishing too late
For things to go my way
It always ends up the same
Count your blessings
I must be missing, I must be missing the point
Your signal fades away and all I’m left with is noise
Count your blessings on one hand
So wait up
I’m not sleeping alone again tonight
There’s so much to dream about
there must be more to my life
Poor little tin man, still swinging his axe
Even though his joints are clogged with rust
My youth is slipping
my youth is slipping away
Safe in monotony SO SAFE day after day
Count your blessings
My youth is slipping
my youth is slipping away
cold wind blows off the lake and I know for sure that it's too late
Count your blessings on one hand
So wait up I’m not sleeping alone again tonight
There’s so much to dream about, there must be more to my life
Can’t help but feel betrayed
punch the clock every single day
There’s no loyalty, and no remorse
Youth stole for a pension cheque,
and it makes him fucking sick
He's heating up, he can’t say no
So wait up
I’m not sleeping alone again tonight
There’s so much to dream about
there must be more to my life
So wait up
I’m not sleeping alone again tonight
Between the light and shallow waves
is where I’m going to die
Wait up for me
Wait up for me
Wait up for me
05 We Are the Sound (03:40)
Children roam these empty streets
With lust filled eyes and jagged hearts
Narrow frames and crooked teeth,
The whole more valuable than each part.
And the grasp you have upon this group
Is as fragile as a pile of ash.
They know your lies and weakness
With each open hand you bluntly lash.
Oh, these soft legged girls
And hard faced boys.
They know no God,
They have no voice.
So what is this I see?
There is nothing but anger -
Burning inside of me
Oh, these soft legged girls
(Do you wish to feel complete?)
And hard faced boys.
(Say you want it, you need it.)
They know no God,
They have no voice.
We are the sound.
We don't belong.
So raise up your hands
And sing along.
[2x]
Girls with fire in their eyes.
Boys with will and aim that's true
Living in a jilted world
Contempt spreads just like the flu.
So let's all take some solace
In one thing that we all can trust
Adults can be fucked up, too.
Sometimes even more than us.
Oh, these soft legged girls
(Do you wish to feel complete?)
And hard faced boys.
(Say you want it, you need it.)
They know no God,
They have no voice.
We are the sound.
We have no voice.
[2x]
We are the sound.
We don't belong.
So raise up your hands
And sing along.
[2x]
And sing along..
06 You Burn First (02:40)
I said, "Cover me if there is a fire,
'Cause I want you to burn first."
She screamed at me, "I want to be desired."
I said, "Easy girl, I know it hurts"
Let's all give thanks that I am a liar,
'Cause I've got a feeling I just might get worse.
Now there's nothing wrong with you,
I'm just tired.
And I'm in a mood for a brand new curse.
You burn first,
You burn first,
You burn first,
You burn first.
Cover me if there is a fire,
'Cause I want you to burn first.
She screamed at me, "I want to be desired."
Easy girl, I know it hurts
Let's all give thanks that I am a liar,
'Cause I've got a feeling I just might get worse.
Now there's nothing wrong with you,
I just grow tired.
And I'm in the mood for a brand new curse.
07 We Are the End (03:46)
[Dallas:]
Look around, look around. There's no affection only infection.
Suit yourself, suit yourself. Can I depend on you to surrender?
[George:]
And we will storm their shores
eyes suffocating all they see
Feet sturdy on the rubble that will soon be dust
And there will be no ruins, no memory, no history
only our unrelenting march side by side
we'll comb the earth
and sweep it clean with hearts and feat unified
The hand of man is no match for our warless army
[Chorus]
[Dallas:] Please tell me that this is the end of the world, it's time to re-erase history, without a trace or a memory
[George:] {And we will strike with the hands of god and leave nothing in our wake} {And we will strike with the hands of god and with a word we'll see fate}
[Dallas:] Please tell me that this is the end of the world, it's time to re-erase history, without a trace or a memory
[George:] {And we will strike with the hands of god and leave nothing in our wake} {And we will strike with the hands of god as we choke in our wage}
[George:]
There's no chance with hands of god and the numbers just the same
We will persist till all it's worth is a perfect shame
Never a break in the chain
Never a falling of perfect shame
And we will trade our *word*
Still a barren landscape
[All:]
We Are The End
We Are The End
[Chorus]
[Dallas:]
Look around, look around. There's no affection only infection.
Suit yourself, suit yourself. Can I depend on you to surrender?
Can I depend on you to surrender?
[Chorus]
08 Crisis (03:31)
YEAH!
This town is going under.
The temperature is through the floor
Your fingers are turning black
There’s a crisis knocking at your door
One nine seven seven
One nine seven seven
You better try to make it home
The snow is getting too deep to drive
your car might be a coffin
One nine seven seven
One nine seven seven
You’re never gonna see the summer,
This season is coming, long and hard.
This town is going under
This season is going to kill us all.
Catch the snowflakes little children
Cause the storm is going bury you alive
???
???
One nine seven seven
This season’s now, and it doesn’t help us
Can’t see, everybody’s blind
This is death to all your friends
One nine seven seven
One nine seven seven
There’s nothing that you can’t do
This weather will never let us through
The sky is going to crush you
One nine seven seven
One nine seven seven
This season’s growing cold
I fear that this could be the end
There’s no sign of hope
We’ve got a crisis on our hands.
The junkie is searching cars
pretty soon he’s gonna need a fix
but the weather’s not gonna let him
???
The season’s holding us all hostage
Better do whatever it demands
We should all know that we’ve got a crisis
We’ve all got frostbitten hands
There’s nothing that you can do
(So long)
The sky is gonna crush you.
This season’s growing cold
I fear that this could be the end
And there’s no sign of hope
We’ve got a crisis on our hands.
09 Keep It on Wax (03:48)
I, I guess, the only thing cheap to you is your friends
You can always make new friends (oh no)
But it's not always worth as much (oh no)
[2x]
Now this bridge is ashes
It might as well have never been built
It might as well have never been built
Little river that it crossed
Looks like an ocean now, looks like an ocean now
Times change and people change with them
Some people love to play the victim
(Love to play the victim)
Your caution to the end
Washed away these few last tears for nothing
(Wasn't all for nothing)
Keep it on wax
Your not the only one
Who's making these sacrifices
Who's making these sacrifices
And time won't heal shit
When you got your hands in my pocket
When you got your hands...
Kick, Kick, Kick
Scream, Scream, Scream
Won't change a god damn thing (It won't change)
Kick, Kick, Kick
Scream, Scream, Scream (A god damn thing)
[2x]
I, I guess, the only thing cheap to you is your friends
I guess, the only thing cheap is your friends [3x]
OOOHHH, what a fucking shame
OOOHHH, that you had to mess things up this time
Times change and people change with them
Some people love to play the victim
(Love to play the victim)
Your caution to the end
Washed away these few last tears for nothing
(Wasn't all for nothing)
It's gone, it's gone
There's nothing left
Keep it on wax
[2x]
10 To a Friend (03:15)
I'm thinking that it's time to get out
My patients are fading fast
the mind bruises just a little bit easier
in dark times and shadow's cast
What are you suffering for?
Your pride or some kind of personal war?
And will you throw it away?
For nothing more than a simple taste?
[Chorus]
I stay in time and watch you pass by (paranoia woven deep beneath my skin)
and I draw this line and hope you'll take my side (breathe slow, breathe slow)
You shouldn't have to fight alone (you shouldn't have to fight at all)
It's nobody's battle but your own
Panic holds me like a gun
firm and steadfast bleak and cold
I think it's time to kill the drama
This lifestyle's getting old
Faces threaten from behind closed doors
eyes spy from dark windows
Plotting minds that seek to harm me,or maybe not
I don't really know
There is something
Waiting for me
in the darkest part of my imagination
[Chorus]
I stay in time and watch you pass by (paranoia woven deep beneath my skin)
And I draw this line and hope you'll take my side (breathe slow, breathe slow)
You shouldn't have to fight alone (you shouldn't have to fight at all)
It's nobody's battle but your own
This is just self-induced terror
There's more to come, this is just a glimpse
I tell myself it's all in my head
but I'm pretty hard to convince
Oh, there's no relief
Oh, this world can offer
Oh, there's no relief
Oh, this world can offer me
I stay in time and watch you pass by
I draw this line and hope you'll take my side
You shouldn't have to fight alone
It's nobody's battle but your own
11 Rough Hands (05:30)
''was i left behind?
someone tell me, tell me i survived
and don't look so surprised that i'm home, but just for tonight
with rough hands and sore eyes
so don't speak, i am tired
let's just live through this lie''
she says i swear too much
she says a lot of things
well, i'd swear every other word if i could
for her, i'll make an attempt
sometimes love isn't about how much someone suits you
but how much you're willing to change to suit them
''all my bones are dust''
two people too damaged too much, too late
''and my heart sealed with rust''
two people too damaged too much, too late
''these hands will always be rough''
two people too damaged too much, too late
''i know this won't count for much''
two people too damaged too much, too late
one day my hands were too soft
one day she said, "i'm tired"
one day her clothes were on my floor
one day, empty bottles
i'm not saying she's my last
i'm just saying that she could have been
it doesn't matter how rough these hands get
it doesn't matter cause i'm not her man
rough hands
rough days
rough hands
rough nights
rough hands
rough season
rough hands
rough fights...
''all my bones are dust'' (rough hands, rough days)
two people too damaged too much, too late
''and my heart's sealed with rust'' (rough hands, rough season)
two people too damaged too much, too late
''these hands will always be rough'' (rough hands, rough days)
two people too damaged too much, too late
''i know this won't count for much'' (rough hands, rough season)
two people too damaged too much, too late
Carico i commenti... con calma
Altre recensioni
Di Funeral For A Friend
Più che un album lo definirei un esperimento della band, secondo me riuscito.
Questi ragazzi acquistano una loro personalità rendendoli se vogliamo un po’ diversi dalle altre band emo-core in circolazione.
