Chevelle’s haunting, booming, and vitriolic sophomore release opens with a song about three brothers called "Family System" Given that the three Loeffler brothers comprise Chevelle, it's easy to imagine the source of the song. Singer/guitarist Pete, drummer Sam, and bassist Joe have an intuitive gift for melding melody and intense, brutal passion in a manner that recalls at various times Live, Taproot, and Tool. From the brutal plea of the dynamic "Forfeit" to the bombast of "An Evening with El Diablo," Chevelle’s earnest, less then groundbreaking modern rock captures an intensity that almost makes up for a sometimes cookie-cutter musical vibe. --Katherine Turman Amazon.com
I am new to the Chevelle family and I am glad I am a part of it. "Wonder What's Next" is simply a powerful, soulful album. The lyrics are amazingly written and speak to so many aspects of the human condition. The more I really listen to what they are saying, the more I am moved to look at who I am, who I can be and the choices I must make; like it or not. There is a real connection between the band and the listener, unlike most music that is out today. This is a must have album.
June 27, 2008 |  | One of the BEST modern rock bands today |  |
First and foremost, I'am not and I repeat NOT a big fan of radio/mainstream rock. Most of it is just too stupid, cheesy and boring for my tastes like Puddle of Mudd, Papa Roach, Saliva, Creed, Evanescence, etc, but however Chevelle are one of the better mainstream rock bands that I've had the pleasure of listening to, and they're also one of the best bands in today's modern rock scene. Their second full length album 2002's "Wonder What's Next" (their first with Epic records) was the album that introduced me to Chevelle, and I really like it alot. This album is in my opinion Chevelle's best album compared to their first album "Point #1" (great album BTW and I've also been listening to that one too). Their other two albums "This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In" and "Vena Sera" are both great albums as well, but this album is their best as I mentioned before. The lineup on WWN consists of three brothers Pete Loeffler (vocals and guitar), Joe Loeffler (bass) and Sam Loeffler (drums) and they would continue on until Joe would leave the band later on in 2005 and would be replaced by brother-in-law Dean Bernardini for their fourth album "Vena Sera". This album is just loaded with chilling melodic vocals, addicting choruses, killer energetic riffs, driving thumping basslines and solid powerful drumming throughout. The lyrics of course are just excellent and full of meaning too. They're full of emotions that fans of rock are used to dealing with such as anger, rage, loss, distrust, and disappointment, and these guys definately do a great job at making these subjects feel and sound fresh. Pete's vocals are just absoutely chilling, melodic and powerful and his guitar riffs are loud, booming and abrasive throughout. Joe's driving basslines are solid, thumping and pulsating throughout, and Sam's drumming while not the fastest or the best whatsoever, is still solid and hard hitting, and it definately gets the job done. Every song on "Wonder What's Next" is just excellently incredible, but here's a look at some of my favorites anyway. The intense rocking opener "Family System" starts off with some soft haunting chords that soon give way to booming abrasive riffs. "Comfortable Liar" is an awesome catchy driving bass-thumping riff-heavy oriented song. My two favorite songs on this album however are both "Send the Pain Below" and "The Red" which both feature catchy melodic choruses, booming heavy riffs, strong driving basslines, and pounding drum beats. Other favorites on here include "Closure", "Wonder What's Next" (great title cut BTW), "Forfeit", "Don't Fake This" (which features some heavy gut punching riffs, some aggressive screams from Pete, and a great catchy chorus), and "An Evening With El Diablo" (which features some strong haunting hypnotic basslines, some catchy chugging power chords and more booming riffs). The closing track "One Lonely Visitor" is a great accoustic track as well. Please read on for my song ratings.
Jeremy's song ratings:
1. Family System (4:16) - 5/5
2. Comfortable Liar (3:43) - 5/5
3. Send the Pain Below (4:12) - 5/5
4. Closure (4:11) - 5/5
5. The Red (3:58) - 5/5
6. Wonder What's Next (4:10) - 5/5
7. Don't Fake This (3:39) - 5/5
8. Forfeit (3:59) - 5/5
9. Grab Thy Hand (4:13) - 5/5
10. An Evening with El Diablo (5:58) - 5/5
11. One Lonely Visitor (4:08) - 5/5
Like I said before, Chevelle are definately one of the best bands in rock today, and this album is without a doubt one of the best modern rock albums ever, and it's also a favorite of mine as well. Yeah, I know some of my fellow metalheads and Amazon friends will not like Chevelle or this album whatsoever, and if they don't that's just fine with me plain and simple, I can understand that believe me, but these guys are one of the better mainstream hard rock bands that I've listened to in my life. Just because I love my share of extreme metal doesn't mean I can't enjoy a little bit of mainstream rock (which is of course a little bit uncharacteristic of me) but sometimes, you just gotta bite the bullet and have a little variety. My philosophy is that if there's a band that pleases my ears, then I'll listen to it.
So anyways if you're a fan of Chevelle, rock, alternative rock/metal, or just good music in general, then by all means you must own this album. Well, enjoy!!
February 12, 2008If you're into Nirvana or Creed you'll love these guys! They don't exactly sound a lot like the those bands but they have loads of energy and killer riffs!!
January 8, 2008One of the best rock albums of all time! And I am a huge electronic music lover! I rarely ever listen to rock music, but this CD is AWESOME!
Now, I was introduced to Chevelle LATE! I mean, LATE! 2 Years late! But I am so glad I found them! It's like finding Jesus in music! It's that good!
full 5 Stars, and then some! I still hold this album as an example for all rock music I listen to now! SERIOUSLY!
That's the word!
December 30, 2007This is Chevelle's second cd and it's one of there best one's. This cd is amazing, and if you don't have it yet I recommend that you get yourself a copy. This cd won't dissappoint you it's one of my favorite cds!! If you like Chevelle you'll like this cd, so if you don't have a copy already what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy today!!
March 22, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(280 reviews)