Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows - D.R.U.G.S.
Release Date: Febuary 22, 2011
Record Label: Sire/Decaydance
I love Craig Owens. Plain and simple. Is it because I’m a huge Chiodos, Isles & Glaciers, and Cinematic Sunrise fan? Not really. The thing I like about Craig Owens the most, is that he’s a true musician. A little over a year after being let go by post-hardcore/experimental band Chiodos, he’s already back at doing what Craig does best; making his music. Joining him is guitarist/vocalist Matt Good (of From First To Last), drummer Aaron Stern (of Matchbook Romance), guitarist/vocalist Nick Martin (of Underminded) and bassist Adam Russel (of Story of The Year). So how does the super-musician’s newest music endeavor shake out? Well, you’ll just have to find out.
First thing’s first. DRUGS is not Chiodos. You won’t find any classical instruments fronted by weak screams; DRUGS trades those for much heavier instrumentation and vastly improved vocals, both clean and screams. The songs here, eleven in all, present better lyrics as well. The album starts out strong, with a few perfectly heavy tracks that portray Craig’s changes as a musician. Bone-crushing screams are slid in between pitch perfect verses and alluring instrumentation on “If You Think This Song Is About You, It Probably Is” and a brand new version of “Thermacare” (“The Only Thing You Talk About”), which was Craig’s last recorded track before leaving Chiodos.
“Graveyard Dancing” starts out with a much more Chiodos like sound, before delving into a rock-sounding track that fits with the album rather nicely. The middle section songs have a few ups and downs, thankfully more ups though. The lyrics weaken on some tracks (“Mr. Owl Ate My Metal Worm”, “Sex Life”) but still manage to keep up with the heavier pace of the album, for the most part anyway. Vocals are the focus of “Laminated E.T. Animal”, who hits hard with a magnificently loud main chorus and a perfect amount of whoas. We understand that the bands name is an acronym for drugs, but the next track (“I’m The Rehab, You’re The Drugs”) seems to want to drill that into our heads, with frequent repeats of “I’m the rehab, you’re the drugs.” Honestly, we get it. Although the song itself it good, that seems a little more than a little redundant.
The albums heavy/emo style, filling every song with melodramatic lyrics about backstabbing lovers and traitorous band members, until “I’m Here To Take The Sky” comes along. It really is an inspirational track, where Craig seems to be telling himself that this time he’ll make it. The message here (“If the sky is the limit, then I’ll build a bridge up to it, if I make it back ill still want more. If the sky is the limit, then I’ll steal the air that’s in it, I wont take it back, I’ll still want more”) is impossible to miss. It has a very poppy sound, and completely lacks any sort of scream, growl, yell or screech of any kind. It’s rather odd for a post-hardcore album, but it works rather well.
DRUGS, being the courteous band that they are, decided to finish their album with the two best tracks. “The Hangman” is a an instantly relatable track, being an ode hating on the judgmental and dramatic. It hits highs on every level, with crushing instrumentation, great lyrics, stupendous vocals and an overall sick sound. My personal favorite track is last (“My Swagger Has A First Name”). From the stylish guitar intro, to the classical violin in the background, and the gang vocalized whoa’s, and absolutely impressive screams, this song is really the definitive DRUGS song.
Craig Owens and Co. know that they’re doing when it comes to the genre of post-hardcore. They have been hitting the genre hard for the past decade from a variety sources, and now the several masters have come together to put something incredible together. The entire album feels very much like a bitch slap to Chiodos, as if to show them that they can’t touch him. So keep singing Craig, because the truth is, very few post hardcore acts of recent years will be able to touch this fantastic album.
I can't help but feel like this review is a little biased...especially considering you opened the review gushing over how big of a fan you are of Craig.
Other than that, well written review (I don't agree with any of it, but it's well written).
Saw these guys last night, tight live and met most of them barring adam russell. I swear I was the only guy who noticed the drummer, aaron stern! Felt sorry for the guy haha! Proper nice guys though, all shook my hand.
In any case, well-written but defs biased. I agree on hangman and swagger being the best tracks, though!
Hmm I'm pretty sick of Feldman making all the bands he produces sound the same, which is why it loses points with me
Fair enough, though I would give someone like Brian McTernan's production about a seven. Though never bad I nearly always wish a CD was produced by someone else than him. Both the Graduate CDs sound good and he catures vocals (usually well) but drums always sound flat in my opinion and distorted guitarwork can sound muddy.
Fair enough, though I would give someone like Brian McTernan's production about a seven. Though never bad I nearly always wish a CD was produced by someone else than him. Both the Graduate CDs sound good and he catures vocals (usually well) but drums always sound flat in my opinion and distorted guitarwork can sound muddy.
That's actually ruined quite a few albums for me, although I definitely agree with him doing a great job with The Graduate.
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