Chaos the name of the game on 'Mongrel'
What can be said about an album that the band self-describes as “…just all over the place"? "We wanted this album to be just complete chaos," says singer Jesse Korman, "with no direction at all.” After listening to Mongrel, one can’t help but agree with Korman; chaotic is almost an understatement. Make no mistake though, as this was the band’s main goal with their fourth release.
If there was any doubts that The #12 went soft after 2005’s Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear, any such fears can be laid to rest. The six-piece group from New Jersey couldn’t be more spastic or schizophrenic on their latest release. Most songs see multiple time changes and tempos with everything from building melodic intros to blast beat drumming to jazzy bass/guitar freakouts and oddly-timed breakdowns. A hook or two can be found (see “Jay Walking Backwards”, “Sleeping With the Fishes, Sea?”) courtesy of the dual vocal delivery of Jesse Korman and Justin Pedrick, though dual screaming (a la Blood Brothers) takes center stage 90% of the time. Hell, there’s even a 14-second flamenco guitar/bongo drum intermission thrown chalk in the middle of one song (“Paper Weight Pigs”).
At many spots on the record, comparisons can be drawn to Dillinger Escape Plan, the aforementioned Blood Brothers and without a doubt, HeavyHeavyLowLow, yet in some places (though sporadic) I swear if there were no vocals I was listening to Tera Melos (see “The Weekly Wars”, the end of “The Try”). “Diverse” is a word that could possibly be used to describe this release but “uncontrolled mayhem” is probably more appropriate, as the vast majority of Mongrel is exactly how its creators wanted it: chaotic. Without a doubt, The #12 are striving to push boundaries and challenge listeners with this highly-charged, cathartic album. That fact aside, however, this is an album that will either be enjoyed or completely hated—there is virtually no gray area on this release. If Dillinger Escape Plan and Blood Brothers can be found in heavy rotation in your play list, give Mongrel a try—you just might like the unruly beast. All others need not apply as Mongrel will probably be too wild an animal to tame.
| Reviewer: Chris Hodge Added: July 17th 2007 |
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